She was born in a log cabin in Lake Louise in 1925 – the only person on record to have been born there.
She remembers playing by the shores of the iconic Rockies lake in the summertime and then moving with her family – her father managed the Brewster Transport operation – to spend their winters in Banff.
From her childhood days in Banff she fondly recalls sitting by a roaring fire in the Mount Royal Hotel where her family made their winter home, listening spellbound to the stories told by now-legendary old timers, including wilderness guide and outfitter Tom Wilson.
As such, Ralphine Locke is a perfect subject to share some of her stories as the guest of honour April 14, during the third of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies series Fireside Chats at the Whyte.
The talk, moderated by Rockies historian Chic Scott, will take place in the historic Crosby home, Abegweit, picturesquely located on the Bow River pathway.
“Ralphine is one of our most important connections to the early days of Banff,” Scott said. “She was fortunate to meet and know many of the first generation of Banff pioneers. She possesses a deep love for Banff and its wonderful heritage and she has a profound desire to see it preserved. And we’re fortunate she’s always happy to share her stories.”
To that end, rather than focus on stories about her own remarkably interesting life, Locke will describe her cherished hometown of Banff as it existed in her youth.
She’ll describe watching the scene of ski parties bound for Mount Assiniboine as they set off on the 44-kilometre, two-day backcountry journey from the Mount Royal on Banff Avenue, led by Assiniboine Lodge proprietor and character extraordinaire, Erling Strom.
“Ralphine will share tales of dogsled races and skijoring with horses along the frozen river and stories of the Simpson girls, Margaret and Mary and figure skating while Rob and Lou Crosby practiced their speed skating technique,” Scott said.
Among her recollections are tales of a pontoon bridge that crossed the Bow River from the location of Banff’s Central Park to the Mather skating rink on the river’s opposite shore.
“In the spring when the ice melted the community would celebrate with a regatta on the river on the May long weekend,” Scott said. “Nearby was the old Banff Zoo with Buddy the polar bear and along Lynx Street the carriages and baggage wagons made their way from the train station to the Banff Springs Hotel.”
These and others stories will portray images of some of Banff’s most colourful and captivating pioneer residents, such as Jimmy Simpson and his wife Billy, Peter and Catharine Whyte, Lou and Gertrude Crosby and Locke’s own beloved uncle, Jim Brewster and his wife, Dell.
As with all Fireside Chat series talks, the storytelling session will be professionally recorded to soon be made available on the Whyte Museum website.
The Fireside Chat takes place at Abegweit, 136 Bow Ave. Doors open with tea and cookies at 2 p.m., with Locke’s talk beginning at 2:30 p.m. The event is free and open to all, but seating is limited, so people are invited to arrive early. To learn more visit www.whyte.org
