StettlerLocal.com May 26, 2022 4:00pm
Stettler is known as the Heart of Alberta. It immediately conjures up the idea of an idyllic little community in which “Leave It to Beaver” or “The Brady Bunch” was filmed. Nothing bad ever happens there. But the community has some rather large skeletons or, maybe, ghosts in our past and the Stettler Friends of the Library’s Historic Ghost Walk leads you to where the ghosts are hidden.
This stroll through the history of Stettler is about an hour and a half long and covers several town blocks. The main drawing factor is the story of Robert Raymond Cook, the last man to be hanged in Canada on November 14, 1960. For those of you who don’t know, Cook was charged and found guilty of murdering his father but was also accused of killing his stepmother and 5 half-siblings. This case has fascinated the citizens of Stettler since the family’s lifeless bodies were discovered on June 28, 1959. You will learn about Cook’s childhood growing up in Hanna and Stettler, his relationship with his family, the murders and the aftermath, his escape and his sentencing. You will get to see where he was held after his arrest and the location of the murders.
But you don’t just find out about the seedy side of Stettler’s history—you will also learn about some of the great achievements in the making of our town. You will learn about the history of medicine in our town, and the history behind a couple of the churches that have graced our skyline. (I know that we don’t have a typical skyline but I just wanted to say that.) You will also learn about some of the past happenings in the County of Stettler. Ghosts are everywhere in the Town and County of Stettler!
Come and join us on Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4 at 8:30 pm. Everyone is welcome (recommended for ages 10 and up) and tickets are $10 each. To reserve your spot, call the Stettler Public Library at 403-742-2292.
Crystal Friars
Stettler Public Library