Date Range

August 9-10, 1924

Description Level

Item

Creator

Harwood Family

Physical Description

Black and white photograph

Physical Condition

Excellent

History Biographical

Arthur "Pop" Harwood came to Waterton Lakes National Park circa 1914 where he was employed in a variety of jobs before becoming the postmaster, a position he held until the 1950s. He had one son, Stephen, who was an avid photographer and outdoorsman who became a mechanic with the park, married and raised one son, Marvin. See fond description for more detail.

Scope and Content

Photograph in the Harwood’s collection captioned “Roger’s Plane”. H. H. Fitzsimmons, formerly of Lethbridge Aircraft Co. Ltd. bought the plane in May, 1924 from Lethbridge business man Mark C. Rogers. It was a 150 horsepower Hispano-powered Standard J-1 biplane. Fitzsimmons’s intention after forming a new company called Southern Alberta Air Lines was to provide an air tax service from Lethbridge to Waterton. The plane landed in the park on Aug. 9, and pilot Jock Palmer, of Lethbridge, spent most of Aug. 10 taking up passengers for paid flights over Waterton. The flat near the Pass Creek Bridge was used as a landing field. Following this event, Jock Palmer and Fitzsimmons took off to attend the Pincher Creek Fair and offer rides to people there. Upon departure from the Pincher Creek airport on August 13, the plane was smashed beyond repair when one of the wheels hit a hole. The plane was taken back to Lethbridge by truck. Fitzsimmons gave up flying for good following this accident although neither he nor Palmer were injured.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20151083022

Collection

Archive

Less detail