On our way to Gravelbourg last week, we made a few quick stops in the small city of Moose Jaw. Like Gravelbourg, Moose Jaw is a unique community with a rich history that has been well preserved. This magical little city on the prairies also has a few newer landmarks that add to it’s charm.
Unfortunately, due to impending weather, we did not have much time in Moose Jaw. I hope you enjoy the photos we were able to get. We will be returning to Gravelbourg this summer, so we will get more to share with you at that time.
Mac the Moose welcomed us into Moose Jaw. While he is an imposing fellow, the city of Moose Jaw was not named for him or his ancestors. According the the Moose Jaw website “The name Moose Jaw comes from a Cree name for the place, moscâstani-sîpiy, meaning “a warm place by the river”. The first two syllables, moscâ-, sound remarkably like “moose jaw””.This is not a great photoof Mac, or the windblown old lady with the dog. It is simply to illustrate the formidable size of Mac the Moose.This monument to the Moose Jaw (Canadian Airforce) Snowbirds aerobatics team sits a few meters from Mac the Moose.Moose Jaw Main Street. One of these buildings leads to the Tunnels Of Moose Jaw. While these tunnels were built to house utilities for the city, they have a rich and fascinating history. Many Chinese immigrants who came to work on the railroad in this area used the tunnels to escape the head tax that they could not afford to pay on their meager wages. The tunnels also afforded them a warm and safe refuge from violent racist abuse from some of the locals. During prohibition, these tunnels were used for smuggling liquor that fueled illegal gambling.Rumour has it that Al Capone and his cohorts were involved in this activity.More historic buildings on Moose Jaw Main Street.CanadianPacific Railway Station opened in 1922and closed in the 1960’s. Now it operates as a strip mall.This sign leads to the Sukanen Ship Museum on the Highway #2 south of Moose Jaw. I have a number of photos to share of the museum and will explain the origin of this site in an upcoming post.
I hope you enjoyed the bit of Moose Jaw I had to share today – proof positive that Saskatchewan is not just open skies and barren praire! Next time we go through, I will try to get photos of some of the residential areas and few other landmarks.
Have a great rest of the day! I hope that you have your own special place to contemplate the magic around you!💞
Dan upgraded my meditation space thismorning. Our squirrel was so curious about the commotion around his tree that he sat on a branch, a foot away from me, to see who was encroaching on his territory. 💞
Thank you for the information on Moose Jaw, Annmarie. I’d love to visit, I’ve never heard of Al Capone being anywhere in Canada. Mac the Moose is so huge, imagine how badly he could stomp you out! And God bless the Canadian Military! 😍🇨🇦❤️
Apparently, the train had a direct route from Chicago to Moose Jaw. Some say Al Capone was in Moose Jaw occasionally – others say it was men from his mob. Either way, it was before my time and I probably wouldn’t be in a place to cross paths with him. 😊
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 
Thank you for the information on Moose Jaw, Annmarie. I’d love to visit, I’ve never heard of Al Capone being anywhere in Canada. Mac the Moose is so huge, imagine how badly he could stomp you out! And God bless the Canadian Military! 😍🇨🇦❤️
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Apparently, the train had a direct route from Chicago to Moose Jaw. Some say Al Capone was in Moose Jaw occasionally – others say it was men from his mob. Either way, it was before my time and I probably wouldn’t be in a place to cross paths with him. 😊
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I see, thanks. I’d rather not cross paths with him either!
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