Your next Southern Alberta adventure should include a stop in Fort Macleod – where a Canadian classic experience is waiting. Don’t miss the Northwest Mounted Police Fort Museum and Musical Ride!
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A Southern Alberta Adventure You Won’t Want to Miss!
The Canadian government formed the Northwest Mounted Police (NWMP) in 1873. They had a clear directive. March west to the “Northwest Territories.” This included what we now know as the western provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta. Moreover, the goal was to provide a government presence along the Canadian/United States border and stop the illegal whiskey trade.
Arriving at Fort Whoop-Up near today’s City of Lethbridge, Alberta in the fall of 1874, the NWMP found it nearly deserted. Furthermore, there was no evidence of alcohol. Colonel James Macleod and his men moved further west along the Oldman River. They settled on a spit of land reaching out into the water in the heart of Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot) territory, not far from Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.
Here they established Fort Macleod. Fort Macleod became headquarters for the Northwest Mounted Police from 1874 until 1878. Today the Fort Museum and Musical ride offer visitors the opportunity to ride back in time and discover the lifestyle of Canada’s newly minted police force.
A Fort on the Move
The original fort was built on the river a little bit northeast of today’s Town of Fort Macleod. It was the first of many NWMP posts in Southern Alberta. With this in mind, Macleod chose a site that was convenient and defensible. When he and his men arrived at the site in mid-October of 1874, winter was fast approaching.
Due to the lack of time, they quickly built log walls and buildings with rough planking, sod roofs and dirt floors. Like their march west from Fort Dufferin in Manitoba, the first winter was all about surviving the journey and not about comfort.
In spring, high waters would turn the fort’s location into an island. Floods threatened yearly. The fort was moved up onto the prairie above the river within 10 years. Here it operated from 1884 – 1922. The Fort Macleod post closed in 1922 and the original fort site on Macleod Island became a national historic site a year later.
The Fort Museum
Visitors to today’s Fort Museum enter a re-creation of the original 1874 fort. The museums building has a diorama of the original fort built on the banks of the Oldman River.
There are quarters for the men alongside kitchens and constable mess (dining area). Quartermaster stores were near the forge (where the blacksmiths did their work). In addition, there was an artificers shop. This is where equipment and weapons were maintained and repaired. There was also a guides dwelling, stables and a corral. There was even a hospital.
After touring the museum displays, we head outside to the fort buildings. Each building has a display offering insight into the life and times of the Mounties – from the chapel to the hospital to the trading cabin.
The Fred Kanouse trading cabin is a restored historic building in its original location. There are countless stories found throughout the displays. While interesting for history buffs, not all relate directly to the NWMP. Don’t worry if you can’t catch them all. After all, it’s another reason to come back again!
Climbing up into a corner tower provides a good overview of the fort. It’s also a great vantage point for watching the entrance of the NWMP on horseback for inspection. The troop files in. An audience member inspects the troops. If a constable fails inspection, they hop down off their horse and do pushups. One had dirt on his boots.
Pushups he did!
NWMP Musical Ride
In honor of the NWMP centennial, the museum started the NWMP Musical Ride performances in 1973. We bought the add-on ticket for the musical ride. The show starts right after inspection. While it is not the official RCMP musical ride (you can find their Canada-wide performance schedule here), this is still a fun performance.
Music plays as the 20-minute show begins. Due to the fact that the riders are busy concentrating on their movements, another staff member outside of the ring the narrates performance.
Riders and their horses enthrall the crowd with a series of intricate figures, choreographed drills and charges. It takes control, timing and coordination. What makes it even more amazing is that some of the riders are teenagers in their first year at the museum.
A Unique Southern Alberta Adventure
Did you know that the first recorded NWMP riding demonstration occurred at Fort Macleod in 1876? It didn’t actually become a public form of entertainment until 1904!
Check Out NWMP Barracks Provincial Historic Site
Located just west of the current townsite is the 1884 fort site. The partially reconstructed NWMP 1884 Barracks – referred to as “The Barracks.” While the original 1874 fort site is a national historic site, the Barracks is a provincial historic site.
There is a sign, but little else in the way of interpretation. The site is overgrown. The gate is locked. When the fort closed in the 1920s, many of the buildings were moved or burned. The level ground was perfect for a drive-in movie theatre. A service road and sewer line destroyed several of the original building’s foundations.
Fortunately, the locations of the Officers’ Quarters, wagon shed and stable were found. These buildings were rebuilt. Another original building was also moved back in from town.
I stood outside the fence on this half day Southern Alberta adventure and let my imagination wander. In my mind I could see the troop marching into the courtyard for inspection. But then I’m sure my ears caught the distant sound of horses neighing and the metallic pounding of the blacksmith’s hammer in the forge. The past came alive for a moment.
Go ahead. Step back in time for an historic travel experience. Visiting the re-created 1874 Fort Museum together with the actual site of 1884 Barracks is a purely Southern Alberta adventure.
When You Go
The Fort Museum is located a ½ hour west of Lethbridge or 1 ½ hours south of Calgary, Alberta at 219 Jerry Potts Blvd in the Town of Fort Macleod.
Don’t wait – the Musical Ride runs only from July 1 – August 27, 2022. Rates are subject to change, but current admission is $12 for adults (18+) with an additional $6 add-on for the NWMP Musical Ride.
RV Camping is available nearby at River’s Edge RV Park & Campground, the Oldman River Provincial Recreation Area or Daisy May Campground.
Learn more about Alberta’s history in these posts:
- Discovering Alberta’s Grande Cache
- Discovering Alberta’s History: On a Mission
- Exploring Alberta’s Historic Dunvegan
- Lille Ghost Town
- Exploring Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
- Exploring the Crowsnest Pass: Hillcrest Mine Disaster Memorial Park
- A Journey Close to Home: Walking Glenbow Ranch
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