Card Home
The Card Home was one of the first homes built in Cardston, Alberta. It was built and occupied by Charles Ora Card, the namesake of Cardston.
Museum Artifacts are often considered timeless and irreplaceable. The Cardston & District Historical Society takes great pride in caring for these priceless object. Click below to explore photos of the objects in the Card Home.
Brief History
The Pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints arrived to Southern Alberta on June 3, 1887. On June 4 the Saints woke up to 5-8 inches of snow. Log Cabins were built immediately for all families. Each house consisted of one room that was 14 by 14 foot squared. The Card home is the only original pioneer home still standing. Thanks to Dora Jacobs, the building was renovated in the 1930’s after a decision was made to save the house instead of bulldozing it. Charles and Zina Card, including their four children, Stirling Williams, Joseph Young, Zina Brown, and Orson Rega, lived in the house for 13 years until the family moved into a fine 2-story brick home on the south-east side of Lee Creek. The brick home was demolished in the 1950s.
The Card Pioneer home was used for many social gatherings in the early days. Before schools and churches were built, the Saints gathered in the home for weekly church and school meetings. After its renovation in the 30’s, the building was used for a kindergarten class, then a cultural hall where many weddings and parties took place. Today, the building stands as a reminder of the pioneer life and how hard the people of the time had to work to accomplish their daily goals.
