Downtown Leduc’s History

Curated by

The Leduc & District Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the region’s rich history. They advocate on behalf of the community to ensure the ongoing support of heritage through projects and education.

Historic Main Street

THEN

NOW

Leduc's historic main street can be traced back as early as 1891, when the Calgary and Edmonton Railway was completed through the heart of the village of Leduc.

The 1900s saw the growth of West Railroad Street (Main Street) and included hotels, a bakery and a general store.

In 1907, many wooden buildings were destroyed in a fire, leading to the brick buildings we see today.

The discovery of oil at Leduc #1 in 1947 led to major growth in the region, and Leduc became a critical economic hub. The Main Street you see today was largely developed during this time, and several facades today remain from this era. this boom in the 1950s.

Woods House Museum

The home of Dr. Robert Woods gives a glimpse into life in 1920s-40s Leduc.

The upper-middle-class home was built in 1927, with a Craftsmen-style design and medical wing painstakingly restored to the art deco period.

The building and museum collection are owned and maintained by the City of Leduc, and is currently closed.

https://www.leduc.ca/dr-woods-house-museum

Leduc Heritage Grain Elevator

A preseved 1978 wood-crib elevator operated by the Alberta Legacy Development Society. The registered historic site was in operation until the year 2000, before becoming a museum showcasing Leduc’s agricultural heritage, and hosting large outdoor events on site.

https://leducelevator.com/

Telford Lake

The heart of outdoor recreation in Leduc.

Named after Robert Taylor Telford Leduc's first postmaster, justice of the peace, and later the first MLA and Mayor. He settled in the area in 1889.

Telford’s House was actually the original name of the community.

Leduc Train Station

Constructed in 1891 to accompany the new line between Calgary and Edmonton. The station, and later the community, were named after Father Hippolyte Leduc, a local priest.

Historic Downtown in the Media - SCTV

SCTV (Second City Television) was a sketch show that was produced in Edmonton and area from 1980-82.

The cast included Canadian comedy legends such as John Candy, Catherine O'Hara, Rick Moranis, Eugene Levy, Joe Flaherty, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas and Tony Rosato.

Several scenes were shot in Leduc during this time, including sketches featuring historic Main Street.

On This Spot Self-Guided Walking Tour

For more information, including a guided tour of downtown Leduc, please visit the page below or download the app!

https://onthisspot.ca/cities/leduc/downtown

Land Aknowledgement

The region we now call home is located on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional and ancestral land of the nêhiyaw (Cree), Dené, Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux), Nakota Isga (Nakota Sioux), and is also located within Region 4 of the Métis Nation of Alberta.