Provincial Archives of Alberta

Summer is right around the corner, and we are excited for some high-altitude cruising through the Rockies. There is truly nothing like a classic Alberta summer road trip. The mountains are calling, and the itinerary is already getting way too long.

Who else is getting excited to hit the road this summer?

Share your favorite Alberta hidden gem or your planned summer route in the comments below!

PAA: PR1997.0109-1417.0096
Alaska Highway
[196-?]

The PoP Shoppe originated in London, Ontario in 1969. The company sold its products through their own stores and franchised outlets using refillable bottles in 24-unit cartons.

In just a few years, the PoP Shoppe grew to over 500 stores in Ontario and then expanded into the rest of Canada and 12 American states. By the late 1970s, the company boasted 26 original flavours; however, by the early 1980s sales slowed due to strong competition from private grocery store brands, leading to the company closure in 1983. In 2002, the rights to the brand and trademark were purchased and the company was re-established in 2004.

Although the bottles are no longer refillable and there are no more The PoP Shoppe storefronts, the sodas can be found at various retail stores and restaurants today. What was your favorite flavour?

PAA: RS2726.1
The PoP Shoppe plant exterior
July 22/1971

PAA: RS2726.3
The PoP Shoppe plant exterior
July 22/1971

PAA: RS2723
The PoP Shoppe soda cases
July 8/1971

Imagine touring on an Albertan highway in your new five-passenger Ford Touring automobile in the early 1920s. You might want a good road on which to do this, and Alberta had just the committee to help do that. Introduced with the Public Highways Act of 1922, the Good Roads Board was comprised of the Deputy Minister of Public Works, the Highway Commissioner and three other members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Board was responsible for making rules for the use of highways, determining methods of road construction and maintenance, publicizing information relating to construction and maintenance and allocating funds when authorized to do so. In 1929, the existing Act was repealed with the Public Highways Act of 1929, replacing the Good Roads Board with the District Highways Board.

PAA: GR1975.0525

To learn more about the Good Roads Board or view its records, please see: https://searchprovincialarchives.alberta.ca/good-roads-fonds

Every Albertan story has a story 📖

These photos and diary entries capture who Barry Galbraith was, the work it took to make it in Alberta, and how his daily life changed over the years.

PAA: PR2012.0480

PAA: PR2016.0331

https://searchprovincialarchives.alberta.ca/galbraith-family-fonds

The PAA preserves Alberta’s history. The temperature and humidity-controlled vaults give the records the best chance at the longest lifespan. The longer they are legible, the longer they can be used by researchers to look back at past events and decisions. Preservation is key to our work.

In celebration of Archives Week, enjoy these photos from across the province!



PAA: A20309 Alberta-British Columbia Border

PAA: G58 Banff Avenue, Banff, Alberta

PAA: A4350 Three Hills, Alberta

PAA: A10877 Edmonton, Hockey

PAA: CL1 Legislature Building, Edmonton, Alberta

PAA: PR2009.0441/0014 [North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton]

PAA: A16267 Construction of Lethbridge Viaduct – workers and cage

PAA: A10049 Rimbey - Views

PAA: A5108 Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Alberta

PAA: A8405 Hoodoos, Alberta

June 9 is

We’re celebrating the founding of the International Council on Archives (way back in 1948!) and the amazing archival professionals around the world who work behind the scenes to preserve our shared history.

Want to join the celebration? Donate your records!
By donating your records, you help ensure Alberta’s stories are preserved for generations to come.

Your history matters. Let’s keep it alive.

PAA: A7549 - Provincial Archives of Alberta Reading Room

PAA Stock Photo -Reference Archivist assisting researcher

PAA: A3816 - Provincial Archives of Alberta Staff Photograph

PAA: A7557 - Provincial Archives of Alberta Storage on Mobile Shelves

PAA Stock Photo - PAA staff retrieving records from vault

PAA: A7556 – Provincial Archives of Alberta Audiotape and Negative Storage Area

PAA Stock Photo -Archivist assisting researcher

PAA: A7555 – Provincial Archives of Alberta Cinefilm and Microfilming Room

PAA: A7550 - Provincial Archives of Alberta Reference Room Microfile Readers

PAA Stock Photo -Researcher viewing records

PAA: PA4808.4 - Transfer of the Ernest Brown Collection to the Provincial Archives - Mr. K. Hutchinson and Mr. A. D. Ridge

PAA: A7532 - Documentary Heritage Display at the Provincial Archives of Alberta

Frank H. Norbury (1871-1965) is a in the PAA’s collection. His records reflect the life of a husband, father, artist, teacher, and soldier. The winding road of his life and his family took him from Liverpool to Edmonton, through several careers and two world wars. He established a reputation as a sculptor and carver, creating war memorials, concrete and grave markers, and furniture. You may have seen his work around Alberta!

For more, see the Frank H. Norbury fonds here https://searchprovincialarchives.alberta.ca/frank-h-norbury-fonds

PAA: A7802 - Major Frank Herbert Norbury
PAA: A7809 - Sculpting the Red Deer War Memorial
PAA: A7810 - Sculpting the Red Deer War Memorial
PAA: A7806 – Frank H. Norbury

Happy International Trails Day!

Alberta is home to thousands of kilometres of recreational trails, from the picturesque Rocky Mountains to the peaceful prairies. Pictured here is the Iron Horse Trail, a 300-kilometre section of the Trans Canada Trail that runs east, starting in Waskatenau splitting in Abilene, and ending in Cold Lake in the north and Heinsburg in the south. This trail is open year-round, and hey, it’s not just for horses! On the trail, you can find hikers, cyclists, snowmobilers, and even the occasional wagon rider. What are your favorite trails in Alberta?

PAA: PR2021.0032.0064.0014.0001
Wagons and horseback rider on the Iron Horse Trail, 2005

It’s National Cheese Day!

Air balloons, space rockets, and a sign that rhymes! This Velveeta promotional display would certainly catch the eye of any cheese-lover!

PAA: RS1189
Kraft Foods Ltd. – display at Safeway
Oct 9, 1960