Over the weekend, several historic homes were opened to the public to offer insight into High River's history, and to sate the curiosities of residents who frequently pass these normally inaccesible homes.

It was all part of the Museum of the Highwood's "Historical Homes Tour", which celebrated its tenth year in 2018.

This year the tour offered eight houses, which were staffed by volunteers who greeted participating residents, and discussed some of the houses history, while showing them around.

The historical sites on tour this year were:

1. The Shorty McLaughlin House

2. St. Benedict's Anglican Church

3. Carlson's on Macleod

4. Maggie's Diner

5. The Leitch House

6. The Butler House

7. The Fulton Thompson House

8. And last but not least: The "Superman" house

Curator for the Museum of the Highwood Irene Kerr, says the Shorty McLaughlin House, housed a family that helped establish High River.

"There's not much in there now, but we have historical display on panels inside the house, to show people its importance to the Macleod Trail, the Stopping House and it's importance towards Southern Alberta History."

Built in 1896, the Shorty McLaughlin house marks the location of the first stopping house on the Calgary to Fort Macleod Trail, constructed by O.H Smith and Lafayette French. The area also hosted a post office, and a Northwest Mounted Police Post. Shorty purchased the property in 1887, and added a farm, and a popular race track.

The popular tourist destination "Maggie's Diner", which is featured on the hit T.V. series "Heartland" was also open to the public.

Kerr says, its easily the most popular destination on the tour.

"We've had people call from all over Alberta to take their daughters to Maggie's, so we really appreciate Heartland letting us have it on our tour, which is another difficult place to see the inside of. Sometimes when they are filming, they let a few fans inside the set, but it doesn't happen too often. I know I'm excited to see inside Maggie's after watching all the seasons, I haven't had a chance to visit it yet!"

 

Currently in it's 12th season, Heartland is the longest running one hour Canadian television series.

 

Carlson's on Macleod, houses a privately owned upstairs residence that hosts a variety of multicultural art. It was acquired by Don and Brenda Carlson in 2005, but the red brick building was built during the 1931 depression with federal funding.

 

The "Superman House" was constructed in 1905, and housed Robert Henry Robertson, his wife Emma and seven children. The $5,000 house was built around a farm, and changed hands in the middle of the century. In 1982, the site gained its fame when it was used as a movie set in Superman III.

 

Superman memorabilia adorn the frame of the century old fireplace.

 

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