Key Number:	HS 75627
Site Name:	Alexander Monkman House
Other Names:
Site Type:	0101 - Residential: Single Dwelling 0501 - Farming and Ranching: Farm or Ranch House

Location

ATS Legal Description:

			Twp	Rge	Mer
			72	8	6

Address:
Number:
Street:
Avenue:
Other:
Town:
Near Town:	Lake Saskatoon

Media

Type	Number	Date	View	Source

Architectural

Style:
Plan Shape:	Rectangular Long Facade
Storeys:	Storeys: 1 1/2
Foundation:	Basement/Foundation Wall Material: None
Superstructure:	Horizontal Finished Log
Superstructure Cover:
Roof Structure:	Medium Gable
Roof Cover:
Exterior Codes:	Massing of Units: Single Detached Wings: Either Side Roof Trim - Eaves: Plain Soffit Roof Trim Material - Eaves: Wood Roof Trim - Verges: Plain Soffit Roof Trim Material - Verges: Wood Towers, Steeples and Domes: None Dormer Type: None Chimney Location - Side to Side: Unknown Roof Trim - Special Features: None Window - Structural Opening Shape: Flat Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Head: Plain Flat Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Sides: Plain Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Material: Wood Window - Sill Type: Plain Slip Sill Window - Sill Material: Wood Window - Trim Within Structural Opening - Head: Plain Window - Trim Within Structural Opening - Sides: Plain Window - Number of Sashes: One Window - Opening Mechanism: Single or Double Hung Window - Special Types: None Window - Pane Arrangements: 2 over 2 Main Entrance - Location: Off-Centre (Facade) Main Entrance - Structural Opening Shape: Flat Main Entrance - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Head: Plain Flat Main Entrance - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Sides: Plain Main Entrance - Trim Outside Structural Opening Material: Wood Main Entrance - Trim Within Structural Opening - Head: Plain Main Entrance - Trim Within Structural Opening - Sides: Plain Main Entrance - Number of Leaves: 1 Main Entrance - Number of Panels Per Leaf: 1 Main Entrance - Leaves - Special Feature: Glass Main Stairs - Location and Design: None Main Porch - Type: Recess Main Porch - Material: Concrete Main Porch - Height: First Storey
Exterior:	Saddle notch corners.
Interior:	Walls were white washed
Environment:	Overlooking Cutbank Lake.
Condition:	Poor
Alterations:	Addition to house

Historical

Construction:	Construction Date:
Construction Started	1900/01/01
Usage:	Usage Date:
Private Residence	1900/01/01
Owner:	Owner Date:
Alexander Monkman

Architect:	N/A
Builder:	N/A
Craftsman:	N/A
History:	Monkman operated a trading post at Lake Saskatoon from 1899-1906, for Col. J.K. Cornwall Fletcher Bredin. He says in a letter dated 1922, 'While in the employ of Bredin Cornwall, the little farming I did was a side issue on my own as early as 1903 there was no other crop on Grande Prairie ot about Beaverlodge area. He also says that until 1903 there was only one other man (Sexsmith) to 'Prove up' on the land in Grande Prairie (Distict) at least by 1903. Possibly as early as 1899. In 1937, the Monkman Pass Assoc. was organized as a voluntary 'Effort to hack a highway through as far as Hansard on the C.N.R. east of Prince George as a coastal outlet. (p.119). He Cornwall cut the trail from Spirit River to Saskatoon Lake in the Course of setting up the post (1899). * * * Alexander Monkman's Homestead. 1900 - Fur trader, homesteaded in area. Discovered Monkman Pass. Died 1941. Lake Saskatoon really began when transient free traders started operations near Lake Saskatoon. In 1899, Alex Monkman established a permanent trading post at Lake Saskatoon to head off and compete with the Hudson Bay Company. In 1906 Alex Monkman founded and lead the Canadian National Railroad exhibition across the lowest and easiest path north of the 49th parallel. The Pass was named after him. * * * The site immediately north of the proposed total Petroleum Canada Ltd. Wembley area fluids flowline right-of-way but will not be impacted by the proposed project. * * * Alex Monkman in 1900 he married Anne Louisa Tate - They had five children. Built around 1900. House was a meeting place for Blazing the Monkman Pass and community centre for dances. The house was originally built at Lake Saskatoon. 1906 - The house was moved to the free grant on the NW6-73-8-W6 1909 - House was hauled to where it is today - The logs were numbered for re-assembly. 1956 - House was abandoned - but it is still owned by the family. Mrs. Sarah Monkman Winter - She was married to Fletcher Monkman - son of Alex Monkman - The farm is rented out to Henry Hrychiw.

Internal

Designation Status:	Designation Date:
Provincial Historic Resource	2001/10/19

Register:

Links

Internet:
Alberta Register of Historic Places: