Public assistance is needed in the search for the missing Provincial Shield removed from the former courthouse at 703 2nd Avenue West Drumheller.
The building, which was Drumheller’s original purpose-built provincial courthouse, was most recently used as the Drumheller Town Hall. The property is protected by the Alberta Heritage Program and the coat of arms is indicated as a “Key Defining Element” in the historic significance of the building.
The courthouse was built in 1954. According to a heritage report, “The construction of the Drumheller Courthouse in 1954 was part of a larger program of courthouse construction initiated in the 1950s to address the urgent need for more space and modern facilities for the province’s justice system. The need by the early 1950s was quite urgent – the business of Alberta’s court system grew dramatically after World War Two, driven in large part by the province’s rapid population growth and explosive natural resource development.”
The Drumheller Courthouse was one of the first new courthouses built during this post-war expansion.
A new courthouse was built in 1984.
“Sometime after the Town of Drumheller vacated the building the Shield was removed from the front of the building. A private citizen purchased the building in 2018 and the search began. We are hoping someone knows where the shield is and a tip can help lead to its return. It is most likely the person who removed it didn’t know the significance of it’s removal,” said Bob Sheddy of Century 21 PowerRealty.ca.
The Alberta Historical Resources Act protects provincial historical resources and areas. Those contravening the act can be fined up to $50,000 or face imprisonment for a term of not more than one year. It also has the power to seek damages from the person causing the alteration or destruction of a resource.
Those who may have information on the missing artifact can contact Bob Sheddy at 403.324.2222, drop off at Century 21 PowerRealty.ca or contact the Heritage Conservation Adviser from the Calgary and East Central Region 403.297.4074.
