From the Vaults: Audio from Edmonton's Past

On this episode, we join David Leonard and Edmund McDougall for their interview in 1977. McDougall describes Edmonton's massive growth from a small town with few two-storey homes to a metropolis with high-rise buildings. 

This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on July 24th, 2020.

These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language standards have changed since that time.  Some opinions expressed and language used may be offensive to listeners today.

On this episode, we journey back to 1976 to join David Leonard and Mabel Clark on their December 15th interview. Clark describes hardships growing up and living in early Namao as well as her experiences visiting Edmonton, where she would live later in life. 

This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on July 24th, 2020.

These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language standards have changed since that time.  Some opinions expressed and language used may be offensive to listeners today.

This week we join John McIssac in his interview of Christina McKnight on July 11th, 1979. McKnight discusses her family, the McQueens, and her perspective on Edmonton's growth since her birth in 1898.

This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on July 24th, 2020.

Cover Image: Christina McKnight 1975 Edmonton Historical Board Award, RG-21, Series 2.3.

These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language standards have changed since that time.  Some opinions expressed and language used may be offensive to listeners today.

Listen in this week to John McIssac's conversation with Willa Lundy on July 16th, 1979. Lundy discusses her experience raising horses in Edmonton as well as her father, Charles Sandison, the builder of the Sandison Block.

This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on July 13th, 2020.

These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language standards have changed since that time.  Some opinions expressed and language used may be offensive to listeners today.

This week, we join John McIssac and Reverend Demetrius 'Metro' Ponich on May 11th, 1979. Originally from Bukovina, Austria, Ponich immigrated to Edmonton where he served as a Methodist minister. 

This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on July 10th, 2020.

These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language standards have changed since that time.  Some opinions expressed and language used may be offensive to listeners today.

On this episode, we go back to April 3rd, 1979 to join John McIssac and Noel Dant in their interview regarding Dant's early life in Edmonton as well as his role as Edmonton's first City Planner from 1949 to 1955. Dant discusses some of his work in developing the neighborhoods of Sherbrooke and Dovercourt, as well as some details regarding moving to Edmonton from Chicago.

This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on July 9th, 2020.

Cover Image: EA-600-2771, City of Edmonton Archives
https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/noel-dant-senior-city-planner-for-chicago-visits-edmonton

Additional Sources:
RG-11, Series 3: Development and Planning
https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/development-and-planning

These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language standards have changed since that time.  Some opinions expressed and language used may be offensive to listeners today.

Today, we join John McIssac and Dr. William Carlyle during their July 17th, 1979 interview. Carlyle discusses his time as a veterinarian, as well as the use of animals in and around the Edmonton area throughout the twentieth century before mechanization spread throughout the City.

William Carlyle at the last meeting of the Edmonton Archives Auxiliary: EA-746-107
https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/the-last-meeting-of-the-edmonton-archives-auxiliary

These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language standards have changed since that time.  Some opinions expressed and language used may be offensive to listeners today.

Welcome to the podcast!

For this introductory episode, join Dylan as he lays out the background and details of the Oral History Project and its recent digitization. 

Thanks for listening!

Cover Image: EA-600-1441
https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/army-week-technicians-at-the-prince-of-wales-armouries

These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language standards have changed since that time.  Some opinions expressed and language used may be offensive to listeners today.

Welcome to our first digitized recording! 

Today, we join John McIssac and John Ducey, Edmonton's "Mr. Baseball," as they discuss the arrival of Ducey's family to Edmonton. Although this interview was cut short, Ducey retells his early experiences in baseball and how it would influence his later career. 

Cover Image: EA-600-3785
https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/john-ducey-changes-name-of-the-citys-baseball-club-from-eskimos-to-oilers

Image of Renfrew Park's sod being laid: EA-600-451
https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/sodding-renfrew-baseball-park-l-r-babe-brinkworth-john-ducey-john-beatty-bill-brinkworth-and-gordon-brinkworth

These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language standards have changed since that time.  Some opinions expressed and language used may be offensive to listeners today.