Blackfalds in Lacombe County, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)

The Pioneer Store

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2022

1. The Pioneer Store Marker

Inscription. One of Blackfalds first general stores called
"The Pioneer Store"was built by John McKay around 1901. Not only did Mr. McKay do business with the newly arrived homesteaders, he traded with the local natives, baling up many hides to ship every spring. His store contained everything that the new settlers needed. He operated the store until 1916, when he rented and then sold it to John "Jack" Martin in 1920. Mr. Martin and his family had the J. A. Martin Store through some hard years in the 1930s, but on a good day's business he received $13.00 on accounts, a police dog and a promise of (after they were grown) 8 new piglets. In 1941 due to his wife's illness, the store was rented out until Mr. A. Pederson purchased it in 1948. This store was leased by Mr. Pederson for many years to several operators until the year 2000, at which time it was sold to the Blackfalds Cornerstone Fellowship. This church operated until 2007 when the building was sold again to Youth with a Mission (Alberta) who opened a coffee shop and mission work, called After The Grind.

Erected by Blackfalds Historical Society.

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 52° 22.733′ N, 113° 47.713′ W. Marker is in Blackfalds, Alberta, in Lacombe County. It is at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Park Street, on the right when traveling north on Broadway Avenue. Marker is mounted at eye-level on the northwest corner of the subject building, facing Broadway Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4911 Broadway Avenue, Blackfalds AB T0M 0J0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Alberta.

It is also in the Prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony

and also Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Builders' Hardware (approx. 12.2 kilometers away); Rollis Block (approx. 12.2 kilometers away); Horsley Block (approx.

Marker detail: The Pioneer Store image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: The Pioneer Store

12.3 kilometers away); Old Court House (approx. 12.3 kilometers away); Home Grill (approx. 12.3 kilometers away); Farthing Block (approx. 12.3 kilometers away); Maurice Shoe Shop (approx. 12.3 kilometers away); Red Deer Cenotaph (approx. 12.3 kilometers away).

Also see . . . J. A. Martin Store.

This store is the oldest standing building in Blackfalds, built by John McKay in 1901 as the Pioneer Store. The building changed hands several times until 1918, when John A. Martin took over the store, and he ran it until 1941. General stores of this time sold all manner of food, goods, hardware and novelties. Several people ran this store over the years, until 1989, when it was purchased by the Blackfalds Cornerstone Fellowship Church.

(Submitted on December 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: J. A. Martin Store image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: J. A. Martin Store

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2022

4. The Pioneer Store Marker

(marker is mounted at northwest [left] corner of building)

After the Grind (<i>west/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2022

5. After the Grind (west/front elevation)

After the Grind (<i>northwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2022

6. After the Grind (northwest elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.