GRANUM, Alta. — Failing to tip your hat to the mayor of Granum could net offenders a 25 cent fine or one day in jail.
Spitting on the sidewalk, ditto.
Those bylaws are still on the books, says former Granum mayor and current historical board member Mike Sherman. Though not enforced, they remain a testament to the town’s pride in its interesting past.
“It never ceases to amaze me the number of people that have come through this little town and have left their footprint,” said Sherman.
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He and seven other historical board members look after the museum, adding to its collection and taking turns opening the facility on weekends.
Inside are treasures from the famed Granum White Sox, the famed rodeo bronc Midnight and the famed farmers who were named wheat kings at Toronto’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
The small town north of Fort Macleod, Alta., now bears the Latin name for grain. It once had a less flattering moniker.
It was called Leavings.
The site, established before Alberta became a province, was on the wagon train route from Fort Calgary to Fort Whoop-Up in Lethbridge, said Sherman.
“When they left the creek to cut across inland, it was called Leavings, and Leavings was nothing more than a board nailed to a tree at that point in time.”
The museum is housed in the only known wooden jail in southern Alberta and possibly all of Canada. Built in 1905, its single cell is intact, complete with creaking door and stout leg irons at the ready.
Leavings had two or three North West Mounted Police officers at the time. Their four horses were housed at the livery across the street.
“Granum was quite notorious. That cell was used,” said Sherman.
Harry Longabaugh, also known as the Sundance Kid, may never have occupied the jail, but he did pass through town on occasion.
“He actually ranched west of here. He was a cowboy and was part owner of a saloon in Calgary. Drew his gun once and never fired it,” said Sherman, shattering the myths of the Hollywood movie.
The walls of the museum bear photos and clippings of the town’s first indoor bathroom installed in the W.A. Chase building, where no expense was spared in making it “comfortable as well as interesting” in 1909.
Another store long gone was a combination hardware, furniture and undertaking establishment.
“They’ll build you a coffin and they’ll put you in it. One stop shopping right there,” Sherman said with a laugh.
Granum had seven elevators in its heyday. Two burned down over the years and the rest were demolished when the rail line was removed.
Sherman said Granum’s history is forged in fire. It has had four major blazes, the first in 1910 and the most recent in 1997.
“We’ve tried to burn the place down four times. One of these days we’re going to get it right.”
The town has a proud sporting history in the Granum White Sox, which held the provincial title from 1954 to 1958 and drew players from all over North America.
The team was run by Granum area rancher George Wesley, who would recruit players but ostensibly hire them as ranch hands so they could be paid but retain their amateur status, said Sherman.
Former Toronto Blue Jays manager Pat Gillick once pitched a no-hitter for the Granum team.
Sherman helped organize a players’ reunion in 2011, attended by many former team members.
“What amazed me was this was after 50, 60 years and they still held Granum in such high esteem that they came from wherever they could to attend this little reunion in this little prairie town.”
As for Midnight, the famous bucking horse that was never ridden, Granum lays claim to the stallion even though nearby Fort Macleod often does the same.
Midnight died in Alberta, but that wasn’t the end of the story.
“In the 1990s, his remains were exhumed and sent to Oklahoma City where he was reburied in the Cowboy Hall of Fame. He’s the first horse ever to be inducted.”
The town lays claim to several wheat kings, among them William Duerloo in 1956 and Doug Mackintosh in 1959.
There’s much more history and memorabilia as well. Sherman said a sign on the museum tells visitors whom they can call to get a personal tour.
“We’re very proud of it,” he said.
“It’s nice to show off our little town. It’s a labour of love.”
