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Fond Memories by Vivian Templeton

In 1950, Charlie and I came to Calgary from Edmonton, where he began a new job here. When we hunted for a house, we found Keith Construction building the Parkdale subdivision. We like the North Hill so bought a lot at 1308 19th St for $1100 and had Keith build a house there for $11,500. When we moved to Briar Crescent six and a half years later, we sold this for $16,500.

When we built our first house on 19th St, as there were no houses built in Briar Hill, we could see across the St. Andree’s Hill where there was nothing but some horses pasturing. However, within two years, construction began on the new subdivision and it was soon full of people.

Brian, our oldest, started at the newly built Briar Hill School when it opened, followed by out other three children. Two years after the opening of the school, I went with my neighbors, Mrs. Coburn and Mrs. Jepson to the grand opening of the North Hill Shopping Centre. For those beginning years, I had gotten groceries from Jim Ko in the store on 12th Ave.

When a Home and School Association was formed, I served as secretary treasurer for three years. One President was Peter Klaui. A big social event we held annually was the bake sale and tea. When the hall was built, special events were held there and the school association just disappeared. However, a Hounsfield Heights/BriarHill Women’s Association was formed.

As the families were growing, the need for activities increased. Charlie, with Bud Dick and Al Serrer organized the Cub Pack and later on, Chal McNichol became the Scout Leader. Betty Bryant was in charge of Brownies and Girl Guides.

In the winter months, Charlie helped with hockey and finally Briar Hill merged their team with West Hillhurst. In the warmer months, he joined the boys from here with some from University Heights to form a soccer team. The trunk of our car was always used for soccer flags and poles. For Cubs, there were camping trips and bottle drives. I was a busy time with the families.

In 1951, we built a house at the end of Briar Crescent. Two lots which had been turned back to the city by a developer were up for bid. We were lucky enough to get one of these lots, for which we paid $14,700. The basic cost for a custom built house in those days was $14 per square foot. The contract price was $23,000 with the lower level unfinished as well as some interior finishing such as stone work. We have had two renovations during these fifty years.

The people of Briar Hill were and are good neighbors and community minded. Men and women donated time and effort in painting, carpentry and cleaning the hall. We bought debentures which we gave back in later years. Early on, we became part of an informal social group called the Briar Hill Gang. The ten or so couples had many good times together celebrating birthdays’, anniversaries, and holidays. Usually Faith Jullyan organized us and we had many outings together. It was a most gratifying association and forms our best memories of Briar Hill.

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