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A Man With A Crush

I could draw you a map of the world right now. (I'm going to be a social studies teacher.) I'm sick. I love history. I love politics. I love culture. I love all the stuff you're really not supposed to talk about at work, so I figure I should work in a place where I can talk about it all the time.

In the interim, while I'm not actually teaching, I figured historical interpretation would be good because I have a huge crush on Edmonton’s history. We are, in fact, the most amazing place in the world. Egypt may have its pyramids, China may have its walls, but we have 6000 years of aboriginal history and some of the coolest people, ever.

One of my favourite Edmontonians is a fellow by the name of Donald Ross. He owned a hotel in the 1800s in what is now Rossdale (which is named after him). Competition among hotel owners was fierce. Donald Ross let people sleep on his pool tables. Luke Kelly, a rival owner, served illegal alcohol in the 1880s to get people to come to his hotel.

A friend of mine at Fort Edmonton Park wrote this song about Ross because she found herself almost infatuated with his history.

Here's the song:
[Singing]
In days of yore,
On River Lot 4,
Ross the dauntless hero came
And constructed there, a grand hotel
On Edmonton's vast floodplain
With billiard tables and a fireplace
Come join around together
The pioneer that won our hearts
Donald Ross forever!

So yeah, we're geeks.

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Where Next?

Barry DeFord

Photo of Barry DeFord

With 2 years' experience as an interpreter at Fort Edmonton Park, Barry DeFord is in line for a promotion to the World War I Veteran character, a coveted role. Barry currently plays the Mountie, another important position.

Comments about this Story

Thanks for sharing your story Barry! I just had such a laugh reading it, especially your comment about being geeks ... if that's what you are, I say YAY for geeks! The world needs more of them!
17-May-09 by Robina

from one geek to another.... great story!!! We can't wait for you to find your rightful place in front of your own Social Studies class!
21-May-09 by Gail Wozny

Good story. Anyone know the tune of the song?
23-May-09 by Mylesk

Thanks Mylesk! The song is The Maple Leaf Forever written by Alexander Muir.
25-May-09 by Edmontonstories

My grand-daughter still lives in Edmonton, and I have visited that wonderful city quite a few times. Love to go again. Keep on beautifying it.
18-Jun-09 by aleida

my grand-daughter still lives in Edmonton, and I have visited that wonderful city quite a few times. Love to go again. Keep up beautifying it, especially when One comes in from the outside.
18-Jun-09 by aleida

Awe. I hear you Barry. It's been a long time since band class...
17-Jun-09 by Jayda

wonderful and very interesting history that is great to hear.........
20-Jun-09 by Lisa Gionette

Thanks so much for the story. I'm Donald's great-grandson, and the first family memeber in three generations not born in Edmonton (3 months in Nanton in 1944). I suspect I have talked to the lady who wrote the lyrics last year. I do have more information - mainly from a History of Alberta published in 1915. Donald was quite the guy. The only one not attending the inauguration of Alberta in 1905. He wanted to have his bar open and ready as soon as the ceremonies were over. I spent much time with my grandparents on Bellamy Hill (102 Street in those days) three houses up from my great-grandparent's house just behind his hotel annex which was known as the Devon Rooms in its last days. Unfortunately he died in 1913 (?) and his wife in 1934, so I never knew them. I was, however, close to his three children. Jim Ross
05-Aug-09 by Jim Ross

Hahahaha! So THAT'S what you were doing that day...You're FANTASTIC Barry!
15-Jul-09 by Kevin

Absolutely enjoyable. Thank you for sharing Barry. Good luck with a class full of rambunctious students!
22-Aug-09 by Florence

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