Stories of Alberta: Killam's Coldstream Barn

Every hometown has a history and if your family has lived there long enough, your surname just might be part of it. Shaina George knows very well what it’s like to be immersed in both her family and community’s history. And it’s all because of a big, old red barn.

In the early 1900s, Shaina’s great-grandfather and his brother came from Washington to settle on a farm in Killam, Alberta. Shaina’s grandfather, Lloyd George, eventually took over the family farm and that’s where this particular story begins.

In the early years when Lloyd was a young boy, the barn housed horses that were utilized in daily field work. Later, as technology began to eclipse animal power in many farming practices, Lloyd George dreamed up a way to turn his newly vacant barn into a vibrant social spot. That’s how the Coldstream Barn, or George’s Barn, became a dance hall and a legendary landmark of Flagstaff County.

On July 16, 1947, the very first dance at the George’s Barn was held. The dances showcased local musicians, brought the community together and created a social hub in a rural area. “For all neighbouring towns, that was the place to be…They always made it sound like there was a pile of people there,” says Shaina.

The barn isn’t only a part of her community’s history, it also played a critical role in Shaina’s family history. Her grandparents actually met at the barn, where her grandmother fell for Lloyd’s somewhat mischievous nature. “He’s such a hard worker—but definitely a goof ball. He likes to pull jokes and he's always light-hearted,” says Shaina. In fact, Lloyd wooed his future bride with a bit of a practical joke, the first of many throughout their marriage. “That’s just how they were, too! Grandpa would do something silly and Grandma would just shake her head and laugh,” Shaina says.

The George family aren’t the only ones with fond memories of dances at the Coldstream Barn. Shania says older people will often share their personal stories with her when they learn her family name. “It’s the best feeling ever… When I tell them my last name's George they literally just light up because they used to dance in the barn…I think that's really special.”

Shaina feels fortunate that her family has such a special connection to the community and that the barn still stands on her family’s farm. “Growing up, it was always this big, beautiful thing that I looked at in awe,” she says, “I think the magic of the dance hall lives on in all of the stories.”

Current photography by Shaina George ( Coldstream Photography & Film ) and past photos provided by the George family.