
Town in Alberta, Canada
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cardston is a town of about 3,600 people (2016) in the foothills of Southern Alberta. It was founded by a number of Mormon families from Utah and their temple was the first built outside of the United States. The main attraction of the town is its carriage museum, which is well worth the visit.
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The museum houses the largest collection of carriages in North America and tells the tale of horse and carriage days with entertaining stories, videos and free guided tours. It has a fire hall, carriage factory, restoration shop, working stable, carriage rides, carriage rentals, a restaurant, and a gift shop. The museum was mentioned as a destination of Patty and Selma's vacation during the "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore" episode of The Simpsons.
A large geometric stone building with a commanding presence. As of July, 2013, the temple is one of eight in Canada. It was constructed by Mormon pioneers who settled Cardston in 1887. The temple became the centerpiece of the town, and it was the first temple constructed by the church outside of the United States. Non-Mormons cannot enter the temple, but can tour the Visitor Center at the entrance.
This theatre was constructed in 1912 by Mark Spencer, and underwent renovations in 1937 and 1992. It seats 350 and hosts films, community theatre and professional summer theatre.
A genuine "Little House on the Prairie", it was built by Cardston’s founder Charles Ora Card in 1887, and served as a community centre and stopping place for travellers until the first hotel was built in 1894. The log structure stands in its original location and is open for public visits as a Registered Provincial Historic site.
The Courthouse Museum shows how a rough country changed dramatically. The unique sandstone structure was built in 1907 from stone quarried near Cardston. The building’s profile and interior stand as a monument to Cardston’s early pioneer artisans. It was used longer than any other courthouse in Alberta. The building displays the judge's bench, witness box, and other artifacts. Original jail cells, including graffiti, can be found. The Courthouse Museum is a Registered Provincial Historic site.
Birding: loons, swans, sandhill cranes and other species in wetlands, along trails and on the lake. Cross-country skiing: 7 km of ungroomed trails. Fishing, power boating.
Traditional breakfasts and lunches. Cash only.
Buffet Friday and Saturday evenings.
Burgers, fries, onion rings, shakes, chicken tenders, shrimp, hotdog, poutine, many flavours of milkshakes.
Chinese food.
Clean but fairly basic rooms. Rooms have Wi-Fi and there is an indoor pool and guest laundry facilities.
Breakfast included.
Free parking. Kitchenettes available.
Cardston is at the junction of Highways 2 and 5. While a wagon train would be the most stylish way of getting to Cardston, those with a car can make the 80-km trip south from Lethbridge in about an hour via Highway 5.
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