Massacre Butte

Cowley, Near

Street Address:
Community:	Cowley, Near
Boundaries:	Parcel B, Plan 8710645
Contributing Resources:

ATS Legal Description:

Mer	Rge	Twp	Sec	LSD
5	1	7	33

PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):

Plan	Block	Lot	Parcel
8710645 1332 IX		N/A N/A	B A

Latitude/Longitude:

Latitude	Longitude	CDT	Datum Type
49.597189	-114.069574

UTM Reference:

Northing	Easting	Zone	CDT	Datum Type

Recognition

Recognition Authority:	Province of Alberta
Designation Status:	Provincial Historic Resource
Date of Designation:	1976/06/15

Historical Information

Built:	N/A
Significant Date(s)	1867 to 1867
Theme(s)
Historic Function(s):
Current Function(s):
Architect:
Builder:
Context:	HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE On the prominent elevation, two miles north of Cowley, off No. 3 Highway, an immigrant train of twelve men, women and children were massacred in 1867 by a war party of Blood Indians. The party, led by a Blood warrior, Medicine Calf, struck while the group was in night camp. The only victim to be identified was a man named John Hoise. The victims were part of Captain Fiske's expedition from Minnesota and had left the main party in Montana. Signs in the vicinity indicate the butte may have been used as a lookout for large Indian camps, pitched on the flats of the Cross Nest River about a quarter mile from the hill. On the flats are still visible many 'teepee rings' to denote Indian occupancy. Source: Historic Sites of Alberta, 1966, Alberta Travel Bureau Site Data Form (February 24, 1975)

Additional Information

Object Number:	4665-0078
Designation File:	DES 0642
Related Listing(s):
Heritage Survey File:	HS 18956
Website Link:
Data Source:	Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 642)