Let’s travel back in time and take a look at some of Edmonton’s oldest and most historic buildings.
From houses in Fort Edmonton Park to historical theatres on the city’s busiest street, there’s plenty of history to go around. No matter where you’re looking, you’re going to find a rich historic part of Edmonton all around you. We understand you might want to dig a bit deeper, however, so we’ve rounded up some of the oldest buildings in the city.
Get ready to get a blast from the past, because we’re going to be delving deep into Edmonton’s history.
John Walter House
John Walter was an immigrant from Scotland who worked as a boat builder in Fort Edmonton in 1870. He quickly established himself in Edmonton and built his first house in 1875 on the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River.
He built two more, and the John Walter Museum actually is home to these three houses that tell the story of the Walterdale community of Strathcona from 1870 to 1942.
Where: 9180 Walterdale Hill NW, Edmonton
Princess Theatre
Located in the heart of Old Strathcona is the Princess Theatre, originally built in 1915. It’s now one of Edmonton’s oldest standing theatres after the Gem Theatre was demolished. Unfortunately, it’s been closed since 2021, and it’s now up for sale.
It’s a cornerstone in Edmonton’s history, and if you’re walking down Whyte Avenue, it’s a sight you definitely won’t miss.
Where: 10337 Whyte Ave. NW, Edmonton
Peter Erasmus House in Fort Edmonton Park
Peter Erasmus came to Edmonton in 1857 as an interpreter for Thomas Woolsey. He was later made an official interpreter in 1876 at the official signing of Treaty 6. Although the exact date of when this house was built is unknown, it’s thought to be around 1861.
In 1968, the Erasmus house was moved to Fort Edmonton Park from its original location near the Victoria Mission.
Where: 7000 143rd St. NW, Edmonton
Strathcona Fire Hall No. 1
Built between 1909 and 1910, this two-storey red brick building is one of the oldest major fire halls in Alberta. It’s located in the Strathcona district, hence the name, and still stands today, acting as the Walterdale Theatre.
This is also the only pre-World War I fire hall in Edmonton to maintain its exterior.
Where: 10322 83rd Ave. NW, Edmonton
Strathcona Canadian Pacific Railway Station
Construction started on this railway in 1907, was finished in 1908, and it was only expanded further in 1910. This site is now part of modern-day Whyte Avenue, but it first acted as a hub for railway transportation.
This historical site was designated a Federal Heritage Railway Station in 1991, a Municipal Historic Resource in 2003, and a Provincial Historic Resource in 2004.
Where: 8101 Gateway Blvd. NW, Edmonton
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Alyssa Gallardo
Alyssa is a Staff Writer for Dished and Curiocity Edmonton. She’s a big fan of everything entertainment, and can always be seen running around the city going from concert to concert.
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