A week ago I contacted the Medicine Hat News regarding my Around the Hat photo series and suggested that my project might make an interesting story. I also said that it would be beneficial in potentially helping me gain access to a number of the closed (but historic) locations downtown. My message wasn't ignored.
On Wednesday I was contacted by the paper for an interview and had my picture taken for the article. On Thursday it was in the newspaper and in no time messages were filling my inbox. I got suggestions, compliments, and best of all, several genuine offers to come and photograph specific locations downtown that I'd been unable to get inside of. In fact, I took the day off work yesterday because I had an offer from a realtor who was willing to get me access to five abandoned buildings that he thought would be great for my series. It was an incredible opportunity, and I still have a couple more shoots planned for next week with different individuals.
The article was essentially a retelling of the blurb that I wrote on my Around the Hat page about the project, but the awareness that the article provided was pretty exciting. The series has continued to grow and exceed my expectations as new doors (quite literally) have started to open. Only time will tell what might happen next, but if anything, the growing response has confirmed that I've tapped into something quite special.
One of my early sources of inspiration for researching the history behind my Around the Hat photo series came from this very dated publication, Saamis: The Medicine Hat. Written by Senator F.W. Gershaw, the book chronicles the history of Medicine Hat from its inception to just after World War II. The challenge in uncovering local history is something that I've struggled with (and I have the Internet), but this is what was written in the book's preface:
An attempt has been made in the following pages to to outline briefly the history of the area up to the years following World War II. It has been difficult to to get reliable information on some subjects but the records have been searched and the few remaining pioneers have freely given an account of events as they are remembered. There may be errors and certainly there are persons, places, events, and organizations worthy of mention that are not included.
Going through archives and finding specific dates for locations in Medicine Hat has been a significant challenge for me, and it's made me realize how rare some of our history actually is. This book is important, not just because it's one of the few books that actually focuses on Medicine Hat, but because it summarizes a number of otherwise undocumented stories. Some of it is speculation, but it's framed as a plausible account of what happened.
Conflicting accounts of certain events, or stories about the Medicine Man losing his hat and how the city got its name are also fascinating, and relate a lot to my own frustrations in trying to lock down facts of what is true. I can't tell you how many archival images I've looked through from varying sources that have conflicting dates for the same image, or a date that I know is wrong because that building wasn't built yet, etc. However, the efforts that went into this book can't be understated for how much it details the pioneering years of this region.
This book was a centennial publication for Canada's 100th birthday in 1967 and was popular with locals when it came out. I say that because I was given a copy from my mom that belonged to my Grandpa Bjork, and I was also given the copy that belonged to my Grandma Fandrich. Both sides of the family had one, and I wouldn't be surprised if others have it tucked away in their basements or attics as well. If you're a Hatter ask around about it. It's an interesting read.
After featuring the Assiniboia Inn in a photo set last year, along with photographing a number of vintage neon motel signs along the Trans Canada, I suppose it was only a matter of time before I returned to capture the infamous Assiniboia Inn neon sign. The hotel has been closed for years now and the sign is permanently turned off, but it's still an eye-catching marquee. It's also a location that I can see changing dramatically in the short term, either with eventual renovation, or demolition / dismantling (which frankly seems more likely at the moment).
The sign was erected in the early 1950s, when the building was renovated and expanded to become the brand new Assiniboia Hotel (before later becoming the Inn). The last memories I really have of the sign being lit up were from before I left for university in 2002. I remember the yellow lights around the edge of the sign flashed in a way that made them look like they were moving. It was incredibly bright and lit up the entire intersection on South Railway Street.
Sadly, the sign has been left wasting away for years now. The fading paint only emphasizes the neglect of the building, and I can only guess how long it will be before the three story sign is removed out of fear of it falling. I hope I'm wrong. It would be amazing to see it lit up again.
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