Take a stroll down memory lane and explore the rich history of Sylvan Lake’s Main Street, now known as Centennial Street, 50 Street, or Highway 781. For decades, this street has been the beating heart of commerce and community life. As you wander, keep an eye out for informational plaques that share fascinating stories from Sylvan Lake’s past. Photos below are from Sylvan Lake Archives.
Miss Mermaid Float (1967)
Miss Mermaid: A Sylvan Lake Icon
Mermaids have been a beloved symbol of Sylvan Lake for generations! It all started in the 1960s with a parade float featuring a mermaid. By the 1970s, she was proudly displayed on the northeast corner of Centennial Street and 50 Avenue as part of the Devonian Beautification Program.
Although the original mermaid didn’t survive renovations in the 1980s, a second mermaid was commissioned in 1990 and graced an office foyer for a decade. Today, she resides in the Sylvan Lake & District Archives, but you can still spot a mermaid sculpture near the library on 50 Avenue!
Antler Lodge: The Social Hub
Built in Red Deer around 1902–1903 by Alexandre Loiselle, Antler Lodge was moved to Sylvan Lake before 1924. It became a bustling boarding house and home to the AGT Central Exchange, where Clara Wilkinson served as the first agent until 1963.
Over the years, cabins were added for summer visitors, and the storefront hosted various businesses. After changing hands several times, the building was replaced by Cobb’s Block in 1991, which now houses cafés, boutiques, fitness studios, and offices.
Adie’s Furniture & Novelties
Adolph “Adie” Kanten began his entrepreneurial journey with Adie’s Popcorn Stand in 1938. The bright orange stand moved to the beachfront in 1939, filling the air with the irresistible aroma of fresh buttered and caramel popcorn, just 10¢ a bag!
After a truck accident destroyed the stand, Adie launched Adie’s Furniture & Novelties, offering toys, trinkets, and household goods. In the 1950s, American tourists flocked to the shop for Canadian souvenirs like cedar boxes, firecrackers, and beach toys.
The Jackson Block
Jackson Block (1935)
In 1931, Alter and Ernest Jackson built the Jackson Block, home to a bakery and Sylvan Lake’s first theatre, the Lakeshore Cinema. Renamed Uptown Theatre in 1933, it entertained locals for 34 years. From 1941 to 1962, Dorothy Watkiss ran a popular coffee shop in the same building, known for its hearty meals.
Sylvan Lake’s Business Men
“Mud, mud, glorious mud”— except when it covered Main Street! A historic photo shows local businessmen standing proudly on the west sidewalk near Cameron Bakery, with the Uptown Theatre sign overhead. Among them: Charles Watkiss, John Holsworth, Gaston Rosse, Mitch Thevanaz, “Pop” Hunter, Steve Kovacs, Campbell Byers, and Cyril Bloom.
Tourist Inn
Built in 1907 by Mr. Archambault, the Tourist Inn began as a grocery store and post office. Over the decades, it evolved into a modern home with rooms for rent and later a popular inn. After changing owners several times, the building was dismantled in the 1970s to make way for Lakeland Plaza.
Cole’s Food Centre (1964)
Cole’s Food Centre & Neely’s Drug Store
Jack and Lavern Cole transformed the Tendersweet Meat Market into Cole’s Foods Ltd., an IGA supermarket that served the community until 1964. Nearby, Neely’s Drug Store, opened in 1937 by Vern Neely, became a trusted local pharmacy before the family moved on to new ventures in Jasper.
Discover the Stories Behind the Streets
Main Street isn’t just a road, it’s a timeline of Sylvan Lake’s growth, resilience, and charm. Next time you visit, take a moment to imagine the laughter, aromas, and bustling energy that once filled these historic spaces.