Landmark Building
ALEX FLEMMING RESIDENCE
512 Macleod Trail, High River
Built in 1907
'); "Alex Flemming Residence")
Alex Flemming joined the North West Mounted Police in 1881 and was initially posted to Fort Walsh. An experienced horseman, he was selected by Major Walsh as his personal driver. He was later given the honour of escorting the Marquis of Lorne, the Governor General of Canada, and his party on their first visit to the Canadian West. After serving in the military at Duck Lake during the Riel Rebellion of 1885, Flemming left the police force to settle in High River.
In 1907, Flemming set up a livery stable in town, but sold it in 1910 and went to work for George Lane at the Bar U Ranch. There, he assumed responsibility for a herd of pure-bred Percheron horses. Under his care the herd grew from one-hundred-and-fifty to eight-hundred head, making it one of the largest pure-bred Percheron herds in the
world. From 1910 to 1924, he served as vice-president of the George Lane Ranching Company. He is also remembered by many old-time cowboys as the official starter of rodeo events at the Calgary Stampede from its beginning in 1912 until his death in 1944.
Flemming had this English country-cottage built in 1907. It is a low one-and-one-half storey wood-frame structure with intersecting gable roof and open side verandah. The lattice supports on the porch and the multi-light window panes add to the house's rustic charm.
The Landmark Buildings and Places Database draws on the series of walking and/or driving tour booklets produced by Alberta Culture (now Alberta Culture and Community Spirit). The Heritage Community Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ministry through permission to reprint these materials online. Extracted from A Walking Tour of High River. Heritage Inventory Program, Alberta Culture, and Town of High River, with permission from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information.