Our History
A Symbol of Celebration & Belonging.
At Perrenoud Homestead; the man holding a horse at right center is John D'Artique.
The Spirit of Gathering
Dartique Hall represents the enduring spirit of a rural community united by a shared vision. As gatherings outgrew homes and schoolhouses in the early 1930s, local residents, led by Paul Swanson and others, came together to build a dedicated hall on land donated by the Henry brothers.¹ Completed in January 1934 and named in honour of early settler Jean D’Artigue, the hall was constructed with local materials and volunteer labour during a time of economic hardship.
The first dance was held on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 1934, with a dance so lively and well-attended that there was barely room to move.² Guests arrived on horseback, with women slipping out of their overalls and into dresses on the wooden balcony before dancing until sunrise. On cold winter nights, more guests traveled by horse than by car, as vehicles had to be restarted hourly to prevent their radiators from freezing.
The Heart of the District
Music, Memories & Milestones
Through collective efforts, funds were raised to replace the original plain floorboards with a beautiful hardwood dance floor, offered to the community at cost.³ Acts of generosity and collaboration like these transformed the Hall to be as welcoming as it was enduring.
Inside, the warmth of community and the rhythm of live music kept spirits high—Gene Winchell’s orchestra, Mr. Howard’s piano tunes, and the melodies of the Bosch and Gazeley orchestras filled the space with energy and joy that lingered long after the last note faded.⁴ From that moment on, Dartique Hall quickly became a cherished gathering place and remains today a lasting symbol of resilience, fellowship, celebration and belonging.
Dartique Brand | Christmas Market | A Tribute to the Builders | Alberta's 75th
Footnotes:
1. Cochrane and Area Historical Society. (1977). Dartique Lodge. Big Hill Country: Cochrane and Area (pp. 461). Cochrane, AB.
2. Ibid., 462.
3. Ibid., 462.
4. Ibid., 462.
