One Hundred Years Ago

As we approach 2016, let's jump back in time to the year 1916 and see how much things have changed in a hundred years.

Alberta ranchers 1916

Women fight for and earn the right to vote for the first time in Alberta.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.

The 'Great War' (World War One) is in it's second of a four year campaign. There is an anti-German riot in Calgary. On the day of the riot, Calgary’s city council voted to have all people born in enemy countries “immediately discharged from the city service” and replaced with returned soldiers. Berlin, Ontario, changed it's name to Kitchener because they did not want to appear as supporters of Germany.

World War One also saw the introduction of income tax by The Dominion Government as a 'temporary' measure to help fund the war effort.

Part of the war effort...sending socks to Canadian troops.

A telegraph operator made approximately $825.00 per year. A steam railway conductor could expect to earn $1225.00 per year, while a farm labourer made about $35.00 a month during the farming season. Interestingly, female farm labourers only made about $18.00 a month for the same work, so things have only changed a little considering women still only earn 79 cents on the dollar compared to men today.

Canadians sent 7,500,000 pieces of mail and the major mode of transportation was by train, with citizens taking 6,610,000 rides.

Canada was experimenting with 'Daylight Savings Time' and eventually made it official with legislation.

52% of the population of Canada was under 25, and only 4.3% were over 65. The ratio of men to women 1.3:1

Approximately 90% of all births took place at home

A loaf of bread cost 6 cents.
Eggs were 34 cents a dozen.
It cost 49 cents for a 2 lb sirloin steak.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into the country for any reason.

The leading cause of death was pneumonia and influenza, followed by tuberculosis and diarrhea.

Edmonton 1916

The population of the entire province of Alberta was 495,351, as gathered in a census, some of which was conducted by members of the Northwest Mounted Police. Calgary boasted a population of 43,700 and Edmonton had almost 25,000. Just as interesting was that this was part of a population boom which took place over a 15 year span, with the provincial population being just 73,000 people in 1901.

Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and literacy was often defined by the simple ability to write your own name.

Rodeo's first side-delivery chute is designed and made by the Bascom brothers on their Bar-B-3 Ranch at Welling, Alberta.

There was no such things as "Mother's Day" or "Father's Day".

Laudanum is an opiate derivative!

Marijuana, cocaine, and various forms of opiates, such as Laudanum, were becoming regulated but still available over the counter at many local drugstores.

Back then pharmacists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach, bowels, and is a perfect guardian of health!"