Tales from Two Townships

Dalemead is a hamlet in southern Alberta, about a half hour’s drive easy of South Calgary. Established in 1913 with the Canadian Pacific Railway line, it was originally named Strathmead. However, confusion with the nearby town of Strathmore led to a name change to Dalemead. The present name is derived from the nearby dale and the last name of Dr. Ellwood Mead, a former local resident. Today, Dalemead is home to just 25 residents.

Moving westward, we find Indus, another hamlet under the jurisdiction of Rocky View County. The name ‘Indus’ was suggested in 1914 by Dr. J.M. Fulton to the Canadian Pacific Railway, as a shortened version of “industry”. Dr. Fulton envisioned industrial growth for the region when the rail line reached this area. Today, Indus is home to a recreation complex that serves Rocky View County and the southeast communities in the Calgary region.

Lastly, there is Shepard, a former hamlet within the eastern periphery of Calgary. Shepard was annexed from Rocky View County in July 2007. A rail station was built at Shepard by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1843. It was named after one of the partners of Shepard and Langdon, railway contractors. A school opened in 1886 followed by a church in 18903. Today, Shepard remains primarily a residential subdivision with some commercial businesses and its own community hall.