Material Type

Recording

Date Range

1993

Physical Condition

Excellent

Acquisition Source

Sir Alexander Galt Museum

Scope and Content

2 cassette tapes. Length: total of both tapes is 115 minutes.interviewee: homer mcclain.interviewer: lori jarokosky, museum program leader.date: 26 May 1993. Tapel Side A - Father [J. W.] was born in 1866 in Illinois and moved to Exira, Iowa when he was 7 years old. He attended school to grade 6. Talks about his father's jobs. - In 1900 his father, along with a partner, purchased 4000 acreas near Raley. In 1904 they sold it and purchased 36 sections near Nobleford from the CPR. Talks about bis father growing wheat and hauling it by wagon to Granum, Fort Macleod and Lethbridge. His father had 60 head of mules and horses he used for the farming operation. - Talks about Lethbridge mayor Dave Elton purchasing 5 sections in the Nobleford area, selling it, and purchasing the Mininol? Ranch next to the Mclntrye Ranch. Within about 5 years he had lost a lot of money and it took him about 15 years to get out of debt. - His mother died in 1910 and his father took her remains back to Exira to be buried in the family plot. His father then took his 2 sons to Los Angeles where he purchased a home. The home in Los Angeles was in the family for 35 years. His father spent summers at the farm in Nobleford and winters in Los Angeles. Describes the house and talks about bis mother. - Talks about growing up in Los Angeles - schooling, playing ball. - When his mother died she left her 2 sons 1/2 section of land near Park Lake which they got possession of when they turned 21. In 1925, when he turned 21, Homer and his brother returned to Alberta. - His father's partner, Mr. Collins, kept his land for a few years before selling it and moving to California. - His father built a home on the Nobleford farm in 1906. In 1907 Homer, his mother, and brother arrived by train from Los Angeles. He remembers going to Calgary to attend a Chautauqua. - Talks about his father's interest in horse racing. - In 1916 his father traded 5 sections of land for a cattle ranch, but after 4-5 years of losing money he sold it. - His father remarried in 1912. Talks about family members, especially his nephew Eddie, who owns a private investigating firm. - His father lived to be 99. SideB - Talks about the locations of his and his brother's farms. They each bought 11/2 sections in 1925 for $30 per acre. In 1945 they purchased their father's land - Talks about the depression years. - Homer married Nellian Hubbard in 1940. Talks about bis wife and his brother's marriage and wife. - Talks about bis son and nephew who were killed in an auto accident. - Information about family members. - Talks about vehicles he has owned and the trips he and his brother made between Lethbridge and Los Angeles. Tape 2 Side A - Talks about how people mistake him for President Truman. - His father, Jasper William, purchased 4000 acres in 1900, sold it, and purchased 36 sections in the Nobleford area in partnership with a Mr. Thompson. - Talks about raising horses and horse racing. - Talks about his and his brother's fanning operation - use of horses, crops, harvesting. - He attended grade 7 at Central School in Lethbridge, and this was the only schooling he had in southern Alberta. The family lived on 14 Street South near 3rd Ave and he used an overland racing bike to get back and forth to school. His teacher was Bella Charmin. He remembers getting the strap. Talks about activities the kids participated in. - Mentions the friendship between his father and Mayor Elton, and that it was Elton who convinced McClain to purchase the mineral rights to his land. - Talks about other McClain family members who came to Lethbridge and Nobleford from Ohio circa 1912-1917. - His father retired from farming about 1938-1939 and Homer and his brother purchased his land. - Homer married Nellian Hubbard in 1940. - Talks about the difference between the soils in Nobleford and Lethbridge. - Talks about Charles Noble. - He married late in life because he wanted to be financially secure first. - Talks about some of his family members. - Talks about his son and nephew's deaths in a car accident in 1958. - Talks about farming with his brother. Side B (approx 10 mins). - Talks about Safeway opening in Lethbridge and having a friend who worked there. - Homer and Nellie purchased most of their supplies in Nobleford, but they came to Lethbridge to shop they would also take in a couple of shows. - They often went to California in the winter.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19971068009

Collection

Archive

Less detail