1880-1900

This haven for rescued 19th-century structures is a good starting point for you to wander along Alberta’s Cowboy Trail through the Rocky Mountain foothills, where film crews are sometimes as common as cattle drives.

The Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, also referred to as the Pincher Creek Museum, includes a collection of heritage buildings that date back to the late 19th century. The collection includes sixteen historical buildings and two museum buildings. The collection is named for John George "Kootenai" Brown, a local frontiersman who settled in the Waterton Lakes area in 1877 and spearheaded the establishment and conservation of Waterton Lakes National Park. When the park was established, Brown was one of the park's first wardens. Brown's nickname, "Kootenai", came from his association in the 1880's with the First Nations tribe of the same name.

The Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village includes sixteen buildings from the Pincher Creek area that date prior to the 20th century. The buildings have been authentically restored and furnished, and include a schoolhouse, ranch houses, cabins, blacksmith shop, barn, Mounted Police outpost and one of "Kootenai" Brown's residences. Visitors learn about the frontier history of southwestern Alberta through displays and programs. Over 12,000 artifacts have been collected by the Pincher Creek Museum, and most are on display throughout the village, including an outdoor display showcasing horse-drawn machinery. There is also an extensive archives on site, where one can dig deeper into the history of the Pincher Creek area. The museum gift shop offers historic books, crafts, clothing and collectibles. Admission is charged (Adults $10.00; Seniors and Students $7.00; Children 6 and under free; Family Pass (up to five members) $25.00).

Informative and entertaining guided heritage programs and events at the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village will add to the experience. There are attractive picnic facilities along the banks of Pincher Creek.

Open year round.

Summer season (mid-May to mid-September); Open daily: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Winter season (mid-September to mid-May); Open weekdays only: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Kootenai Brown Pioneer Museum is located one block north of Main Street in Pincher Creek at 1037 Beverley McLachlin Drive. If approaching Pincher Creek from the south on Highway 6, turn left (west) at the lights on Main Street. Continue west on Main Street and turn right (north) at Beverley McLachlin Drive. If approaching Pincher Creek from the north on Highway 6 (becomes Hewetson Avenue), Beverley McLachlin Drive is half a block south of the Highway 6 bypass. Turn left (east) off Hewtson Avenue on to Beverley McLachlin Drive, which swings around behind the Pincher Creek Hospital before dropping down into the valley and the museum grounds.