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Town of Stony Plain

mural guide

Stony Plain Public ArtMurals & StatuesThe Town of Stony Plain initiated the Murals Collection in1989 to preserve and celebrate the community’s richheritage, and the first murals were completed in 1990.Designed by artists across Canada, the murals andstatues are an inspiring tribute to Stony Plain’s storyand reflection of its rich arts and culture scene.

Visitors can experience this outstanding public artcollection through guided tours or independently withthis guide.

Join us in celebrating our community’s legacy through art.

2DRIVE THRU TIMEJames Mackay – Carvel, AB • 240 sq. ft., 2007

Main Street in the 1950s was a busy place. Wing’s Café provided a popular lunchspot, where Viktor Hochdorfer, owner of Bud’s Men’s Wear and Shoe Repair isshown sitting at the counter. Prominent business men J.H. “Decker” Kulak andVal Kotch from the D&V General Store are featured, as well as Garnie and RuthYost, standing by the John Deer sign.

CELEBRATEROTARYINTERNATIONALKaren Blanchet Legal, AB • 204 sq. ft., 2005

2005 marked the 100thAnniversary of RotaryInternational. Founded by PaulHarris in Chicago in 1905, Rotarypromotes community serviceprojects and ethical standards inbusiness. More than 1.2 millionRotarians from over 34,000 clubsserve in 200 countries around theworld, united under the banner“Service Above Self”. The StonyPlain Rotary is committed toprograms and improvementslocally and internationally.

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ALONG THE FIFTHWei Luan – Edmonton, AB • 1100 sq. ft., 1997

The Stony Plain community developed along the 5thMeridian, its main artery since early settlementaround 1900. The coming of the railway impactedthe community in many ways, prompting relocationof the original town site and contributing to theestablishment of trade and local business enterprise.The mural highlights some of the people and eventswho have contributed to the community's richheritage and culture.

BRIDGING THE GAP FOR PEACEKeith Holmes – Galiano Island, BC • 320 sq. ft., 2006

From the Great War to present day, from Vimy Ridge to Kandahar, the RoyalCanadian Legion honours the men and women past and present, serving ourcountry. Soldiers, sailors, airmen, constabularies and peacekeepers are allremembered as heroes, helping to bridge the gap for peace.

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Main Street is bustling as farmers deliver their product to the grain elevators and feedmill while daily business is conducted in Stony Plain’s renowned, well stocked stores.There is something for everyone to do, enjoy a treat, do some socializing, or take care ofimportant business. The mural’s bottom half features the east side of Main Street from1911-1920s; the top half depicts its west side in the 1940s & 1950s. Over 50 localresidents are portrayed in this mural.

MILLING ON MAINGordon E. Johnston – Stony Plain, AB • 525 sq. ft., 1999

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6THE FIRST PEOPLEJohn Langeveld – Calgary, AB • 1080 sq. ft., 1992

The town of Stony Plain is situated on a large fertile tract of land once called Eskatinaor the Stoney Plains, its name derived from the Nakota Sioux or Stoney Indians. Tipientrances face east to greet the rising sun and the sacred Bald Eagle soars above as asymbolic messenger closest to the Creator, giving strength and freedom to ThePeoples. Wildlife is featured as their sustaining resource and the colours withsymbolic meaning are reflected on the side: red (Honesty), green (Mother Earth),white (Wisdom), yellow (The Sun), blue (Faith), black (Power). “Welcome to StonyPlain” is written in Cree syllabics.

EVOLUTION OF ELECTRICITYBrian Romagnoli – Vineland, ON • 1500 sq. ft., 2008

This mural reflects a century of electric power supply in Alberta and itsimpact on the local community, with an emphasis on TransAlta’scontributions and local representation.

Individuals of significance to TransAlta are featured, along with localresidents, such as John L. McDonald's daughter, Annie Christina andJohn Armbruster, who first provided Stony Plain with electricity in theearly 1920s. Images of women using electrical equipment reflect thebenefits electricity brought to the community, while a depiction of theKeephills Power Plant and Whitewood Mine portrays its source.

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TOWN ON THE MOVEStan Phelps & Members of the Community • 192 sq. ft., 2008

In 1905, the Canadian Northern Railway started constructing a 19-mile line fromEdmonton to Stony Plain, which was completed in 1907. Unfortunately, it missed theoriginal Stony Plain settlement by "more than a country mile."

Consequently, the Town Fathers decided to move the community to establish a newtown site closer to the railway. In the winter of 1905/06, using 20 teams of horses, theyrolled the buildings over the frozen ground to the present location of Stony Plain bybuilding a "corduroy" - taking logs from the back and laying them in front of thestructures being moved. Town Fathers John L. McDonald, Jacob Schram, and The MillerBrothers are featured.

STRONG ARM OF THE LAWDoug Driediger – Calgary, AB • 794 sq. ft., 1990

Israel Umbach was Stony Plain's first appointed sheriff, overseer and tax collector. In1907, the Canadian Northern Railway Company refused to pay taxes that were due tothe Town. Sheriff Umbach decided to seize and chain the locomotive to the tracks whenit was stopped at the station, hoping to force the company to pay. His plan worked andthe overdue taxes were paid. The mural depicts Sheriff Umbach with the chain andpadlock he purchased from the Oppertshauser and Sons Hardware Store.

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THE LIFE AND TIMES OFMURRAY & ESME BYERSBill Dixon – Sooke, BC • 190 sq. ft., 2000

Murray & Esme Byers operated Byers’ Drugs on Main Street from 1939-1969, a fixture ofcommunity life in Stony Plain. They were very involved in the community andcontributed to its quality of life in many ways, from giving away live Easter bunnies tochildren, to bringing in fresh flowers for Valentine's & Mother's Day, and supplying localteens with the thickest milk shakes. They touched the lives of everyone in thecommunity.

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PRESS RELIEFDavid RipleyCarvel, AB132 sq. ft., 1991

An inside look at the officeof the Stony Plain Advertiser(1907) reveals its first editorand proprietor, W. Worton,and provides a glimpse ofthe old printing press and ofthe front page of an earlyissue of the community’sfirst newspaper. The muraldepicts the building as itstood in the 1920s. It wasreplaced in 1965 andhoused the Stony PlainReporter office until 2012.

THE GENERAL STOREDavid More – Red Deer, AB • 1452 sq. ft., 1990

Jacob Miller's General Store and Post Office was a significant landmark in Stony Plain formany years, and at one time, also housed a well-stocked Men's Clothing store. JacobMiller (large centre portrait) was a prominent businessman, postmaster and the Town'ssecond mayor (1909-1912). The mural depicts the post office exterior of 1928 with theMiller triplets sitting on the steps, Jacob's nephew Johnny Miller (postmaster from 1927-1964), and his wife Lucille (postmistress 1964-1975). Store employee Louis Kowenskyand post office employee Barbara Dreitza who lived upstairs for many years are alsodepicted. The car belonged to Johnny and was one of Stony Plain's firsts. It was used tocollect the mail from the train station.

MORNING LIGHTStan Phelps – Calgary, AB • 312 sq. ft., 2003

Jacob Schram operated a blacksmith shop at the old town site in the late 1800s; hemoved his business to the new town location in 1906. Schram, who is depicted on theleft with a helper, was the community’s blacksmith until 1915. The mural portrays theview from the blacksmith shop in the early 1900s. Notice the corner Hardware Store andthe steps of the wooden Canadian Bank of Commerce building.

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151420 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIPJames Mackay – Carvel, AB • 130 sq. ft., 2005

This mural is dedicated to the people of Stony Plain and Shikaoi, Hokkaido, Japan.Former Stony Plain Mayor Donna Cowan and Shikaoi Mayor Yoshida, in partnership withthe public and separate school divisions, were instrumental in the formation and growthof the twinning program. Many student and adult delegations have travelled betweenShikaoi and Stony Plain. This mural highlights various aspects of Shikaoi's culture, peopleand lifestyle.

FOR HOME AND COUNTRYBrian Romagnoli – Lincoln (Beamsville), ON • 195 sq. ft., 2000

This mural depicts the history and personalities of the Stony Plain Women’s Institutefrom its inception in 1913 to the present. The crest prominently displays the motto, “ForHome and Country,” and long-time members and aspects of their communityinvolvement are integrated in the design. From the organization’s foundation byAdelaide Hoodless in Ontario in 1897 to today, the Women’s Institute performscommunity service in a variety of ways. The Stony Plain Women’s Institute is a proudexample of the dedication and involvement it stands for and celebrated its 100 yearanniversary in 2013.

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MAKING AFRIENDWindi Scott-Hanson Stony Plain, AB39 sq. ft., 1991

Joe Zucht built one of StonyPlain’s first livery stables in1905. It was located just eastof Main Street. A livery barnwas a place where horseswould be watered, fed andtaken care of or where onecould rent a horse and buggy.

THE CONNECTION 1906-1963Windi Scott-Hanson – Stony Plain, AB • 128 sq. ft., 1991

Shortly after Alberta Government Telephones was founded in 1906, a telephone officewas founded in Stony Plain. Ottilia (Tilly) Zucht (at the switchboard) was 13 years oldwhen she became a telephone operator. The exchange was then on the west side ofMain Street in the office of The Advertiser, Stony Plain’s first newspaper. Ida Smith waschief operator from 1923 to 1943. She is portrayed with her daughter Charlotte outsidethe new telephone exchange after it moved to the east side of the street in 1935. InAugust 1963, Stony Plain became part of the Edmonton exchange and no longerrequired a local operator.

EARLY TRADE & COMMERCEJeanine Brod – Leduc, AB • 800 sq. ft., 2003

The Canadian Bank of Commerce (later CIBC) hasbeen a focal point for trade and commerce in StonyPlain since 1906, when it served clients out of a tentbefore occupying an extraordinary fir structure in1908. In 1953, that building was replaced by a brickbuilding and in 1983 a more modern structure waserected. The needs of customers have since grownfrom fur and gold exchange to financial advice,convenience and service. The mural depicts thisevolution of banking in the community and featuressome of the senior staff and customers.

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MOSAIC OF THE PASTParkland Potters’ Guild • 77 sq. ft., 1991

What might a pioneer family have in its small log cabin? Acloser look at this unique clay mural will give you the answer.Designed in the spring of 1990, each artist who worked onthis piece was allocated a certain section of the mural. It waspieced together and erected in August of 1991.

HARNESSING OUR PASTParkland Potters’ Guild • 70 sq. ft., 1993

The farming community has always played a strong role inthe development of Stony Plain and the surrounding area. Atribute to these pioneers, this mural focuses on the team ofearly settlers who were behind this growth.

STONY PLAIN - THE FIRST 100 YEARSParkland Potters’ Guild • 80 sq. ft., 2008

This mural was presented to the Town of Stony Plain by theParkland Potters’ Guild on the occasion of the CentennialCelebrations in 2008. The mural depicts the journey through100 years of progress. Made of clay and stained with oxides,it was fired twice to a final temperature of 2400 degreesFahrenheit. Volunteer guild members spent one yearcreating this mural from planning to completion.

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20MANY FACES, ONE HEARTTim Heimdal – Grande Prairie, AB1612 sq. ft., 2004

This mural represents the diverse ethno-culturalbackground of Stony Plain's early settlers. From left toright: Andrew Anderson (Sweden); Stoney Indian Chief,Alexis Wabamun (Kees-kee-chee-chi); PhilippineStrassburger (Austria); Ross Newell (USA); Stephen HarryKettle (England); Otto Wilken (Stony Plain area); HughieMacKinnon (Scotland); Julia Kotcherofsky-Kulak(Ukraine/Russia); Jackie Gregorwich (representing“pioneers of tomorrow”); Wong York (first Chinese inStony Plain); Eva Armbruster (Austria-Hungary) andHenry Oppertshauser Sr. (Austria).

GOODS IN KINDWindi Scott-Hanson – Stony Plain, AB128 sq. ft., 1991

In the pioneering days, businessmen were often paid with goods rather than money forservices rendered and F.W. Lundy (with pipe), Stony Plain’s first lawyer, was noexception. Mr. Lundy managed his profession while being actively involved in thecommunity. He was the Town’s first secretary-treasurer (1909-1929) and first electedmember of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Alberta (1917-1921).

22THE COUNTRYDOCTORTag Kim – Edmonton, AB 360 sq. ft., 1992

This mural depicts Dr. and Mrs. Oatway andNurse Deans, the Doctor’s assistant, whowere responsible for the safe delivery ofthousands of babies in the area. Dr. RichardMacRae Oatway was born in October 1877,and settled in Stony Plain with his wife Grace(nee Gillrie) in 1908. Together they raisedthree children and Dr. Oatway practicedmedicine for over 45 years. The Oatwayhouse was located on the north side of theexisting train tracks. The practice of medicineon the prairies was challenging, and Dr.Oatway gained the community’s respect forhis faithful and dedicated service.

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23“MR. GOALIE”Tag Kim – Edmonton, AB • 850 sq. ft., 2008

National Hockey League (NHL) Hall of Fame Legend, Glenn Hall is depicted in this mural as atribute to his outstanding accomplishments both on and off the ice. During his NHL career,Hall seldom missed a game and was a consistent performer, winning various trophies -including the Stanley Cup. He was the first player to effectively make use of the “butterfly” styleof goal tending. Hall and wife Pauline have called Stony Plain home for more than 50 yearsand their contributions extend beyond the rink through volunteering and promoting thecommunity. Also depicted in the mural are the Hall’s four children: Pat, Leslie, Tammy, andLindsay.

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EARLY STONY PLAINPOSTAL SERVICETerry Gregoraschuk – Calgary, AB 504 sq. ft., 1991

A series of stamps depicts milestones andpostmasters in the history of the StonyPlain mail service. The far left image on themural depicts John L. McDonald, thecommunitys first postmaster, who hadapplied for the post office position in 1892and obtained the name “Stony Plain.”George Sutherland was the first officialmail carrier, riding his horse intoEdmonton to collect mail.

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A CHILD’SCHRISTMAS, EARLY 1900SDavid Kieller – Bruderheim, AB528 sq. ft., 1992

This mural depicts Dorothy (Willie)Rippell's recollection of coming home onChristmas Eve as a child in the early 1900s.

"The weather was cold and there wasplenty of snow; the big sleigh was madeready with straw on the bottom of the box,warm blankets, pillows and chairs.” Withthe jingle of bells on the horses, the familyreturns home to exchange gifts and candywith relatives and friends. The NorthernLights dance across the midnight sky, asthey count the falling stars and look forthe Big Dipper.

PRIDE INAGRICULTURERomolo FantiniEdmonton, AB • 200 sq. ft.,1999

The Stony Plain DemonstrationFarm was in operation from 1912-1924 for the purpose ofdemonstrating new farmingtechniques and to provide workexperience for agriculturalstudents. The mural pays tribute tosome of the area's outstandingfamilies and individuals, and theirrespective accomplishments inagriculture and horticulture. Theyinclude Dan Dale, HaroldMcLaughlin, Strassburger,Lewis, and Jespersenfamilies.

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EVOLUTION OF JUNIOR GOLFGermán Jaramillo-McKenzie – Regina, SK • 360 sq. ft., 2002

In 1977, Don “Grandpa” Walls initiated a Junior Golf program at the old Stony Plain Golf Course.Over the years, the program has developed into one of the most outstanding of its kind in thecountry. The Junior Golf Program teaches youngsters all facets of the game.

COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEYGermán Jaramillo-McKenzie – Regina, SK • 240 sq. ft., 2006

Catholic Education has been prominent in Stony Plain since 1982. Father WillieO’Farrell helped start the first Catholic School in the church basement. John Paul IISchool has undergone many expansions and changes to its building, but the heartof the “Crusader Family” remains unchanged after more than 25 years. 29

28 WINTER REFLECTIONJames Mackay – Carvel, AB • 128 sq. ft., 2010

Skating on the (Dog Rump) pond has been a local pastimefor decades. Featured within this artwork are skaters fromdifferent eras. The old Stony Plain railway station looks overthe pond, and the community’s first hotel, school, and grainelevator are pictured in the background.

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THE BOOKJames Mackay – Carvel, AB128 sq. ft., 2012

Imagine...our Library's history iskept safely in a book. The bookopens and, magically, the storycomes to life. Important dates,significant buildings andcommunity faces represent theLibrary through the years.

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2012 INTERNATIONAL YEAROF THE COOPERATIVESJames Mackay - Carvel, AB • 480 sq. ft., 2012

This mural is a tribute to the significant role Co-operatives have hadin fostering economic growth and social responsibility. Co-operatives share internationally agreed principles and acttogether to build a better world through co-operation.

REFLECTIONSTina Bourassa - Spruce Grove, AB • 160 sq. ft., 2014

Cornelia Wood (nee Railey) was a teacher, actress, and author. She served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and was Mayor of Stony Plain. A long standing member of theStony Plain Women’s Institute, District School Board, and a founding member of the Heritage Agriculture Society, she helped shape current day Stony Plain. A permanent display dedicated toher life can be seen at the Multicultural Heritage Centre. Her passion for hats earned her the nickname “the lady with the hats.” This nickname was echoed in the first mural dedicated to herin 1990 by Terry Winter of Delburne AB. That mural, which was reimagined for this project, was decommissioned when the building it was on was renovated.

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STORY TIME GOLDEN YEARS

STRONG ARM OF THE LAWSHERIFF ISRAEL UMBACHShane Repka – Spruce Grove, AB, 1997

This is Stony Plain’s first sculpture. It is made from scrap metal andbronze, measures six feet and weighs approx imately 400 lbs. IsraelUmbach, Stony Plain’s first sheriff and overseer, set a Canadianprecedent in 1907 when he forced the Canadian Northern RailwayCompany to pay its outstanding taxes by chaining a locomotive to thetracks. This incident is depicted in the mural “Strong Arm of the Law.”

STATUESCENTENNIAL STATUES, 2008

LEARN ABOUT THE LIFEAND TIMES OF STONY PLAINFROM EXPERIENCED GUIDESWITH ONE OF OUR TOUROPTIONS.A variety of tours including horse and wagon,walking and bus are available to you through theMulticultural Heritage Centre. You can also combineyour tour with a hearty home cooked meal in theHomesteader’s Kitchen. Be sure to have dessert, thefamous pies do not disappoint!

Contact the Multicultural Heritage Centre at info@multicentre.org for scheduled tour dates and pricing.

Pre-booking is strongly recommended.

HISTORYON-THE-GO

MURAL TOURS

MURAL TOURS780.963.2777

5411 - 51 Streetmulticentre.org

VISITORINFORMATION

780.963.4545

4815 - 44 Avenuestonyplainchamber.ca

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4905 - 51 Avenue, Stony Plain, AB T7Z 1Y1 780.963.2151 stonyplain.com

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