Big Valley Alberta | Alberta Road Trips
Today we braved the cold weather in Alberta plus a snow storm and headed South to Big Valley Alberta to check out the historic Round house and turn table, workshop, grain elevator and St. Edmunds Church. The Village of Big Valley Alberta is located in the county of Stettler south east of Red Deer. (64 km north of Drumheller) Big Valley was founded in 1907 however people had settled on the land long before then. If you are looking for a neat little place to visit and enjoy small towns and railways this is the place for you.
This second class station was completed in 1912 and was used till the 1940's. this 70 foot round house & turn table turned steam locomotives to enter the round house for maintenance and repairs; balancing on a center baring in a circular pit. The Workshop & Boiler room of the roundhouse was used to run large tool's such as lathe's and wheels for repairing the Steam Locomotives; The Workshop was closed in 1943.
The Big Valley Grain Elevator that stand near by is designated as a Provincial Historic Resource and was built in 1960. The Train station located by the Roundhouse and is 2 stories and was built in 1912. It consisted of a waiting room, office, cashier & telegraph operator; The upstairs was used as a bunk house for train crews.
St. Edmunds church stands atop a hill and is a sight to see. This little blue church was built in 1916 and was recognized as a landmark. The view from the church is one we won't forget; with the snow falling and the Grain elevator in the distance this truly is a beautiful little spot in Big Valley.
The unique one room jail cell sits upon main street and was used from 1914 - the early 40's. Also right across the street don't forget to check out Jimmy Jock Boardwalk in the center of town this is where the trading post is located.
Well considering we are still on lockdown here in Alberta and nothing is open, this was still a really great village to check out even if it is for some cool Instagram photos. We will defiantly be returning to this town in the summer to get the whole adventure and explore some more! If you want to see our whole adventure and some drone footage of the Historic Round House; Check out the link below.
