Alberta family auctioning off one of the largest private collections of horse-drawn carriages in North America
An Alberta family is honouring the life and legacy of their father this weekend by selling off a historical collection of horse-drawn carriages and sleighs dating as far back as the 1800s.
The late Lee Bowie of Penhold, Alta., began purchasing the unique units nearly 60 years ago in what’s become one of the largest and most incredible private collections in North America.
“He was the type of person that liked fixing things and he really enjoyed working with horses and dogs so the collection sort of started out as a hobby,” said Greg, the eldest son of Lee Bowie.
“It all started with a carriage he found out in southern Saskatchewan behind a barn and it grew from there.”
Lee Bowie passed away in January, aged 90, but he left behind 27 carriages and sleighs. The collection will now go up for auction online as part of the estate sale at his property in Penhold, located just 120 kilometres north of Calgary.
His daughter Kim says each carriage has a unique historical value and plenty of memories that go back to when she was a little girl.
“Four generations have enjoyed riding on the sleighs and buggies,” she said.
“Dad used to take mom for carriage rides in the evening in a buggy with the surrey on top and go down the country roads. All the neighbours would think he was a big romantic guy and he sort of was, but a tough cowboy too.”
Some of the most unique carriage include an original McLaughlin Cutter carriage. The company was at one point known as the largest manufacturer of horse-drawn buggies in the British Empire and eventually went into automobiles as part of General Motors Canada.
Greg says another of his personal favourites is the Newfoundland Taxi, built in 1890.
“There’s only a few of them left in the world, like maybe three and one of them is selling in this sale,” he said.
“At that time, they drove on the left side of the street so the sleigh or the taxi is open on the left side and the passengers sit sideways and the driver is at the back of the unit with the lines driving in front of the passengers.”
The public was invited Saturday to view the carriages in person at the Bowie Estate in Penhold, but the auction itself is taking bids online until June 21.
Robert Klatt with Prairie Auction Services says more than 2,000 people have registered to take part in the sale.
“It’s gathered a lot of attention from the U.S. northern states and across Canada even as far as Ontario and Quebec,” Klatt said.
“This is quite astounding to see and some people I’ve talked to woke up at 5 o’clock this morning just to come on down because there’s not too many opportunities like this.”
One of those individuals who woke up early is Miles Wowk, who made the three-hour drive from just east of Vegreville.
“A lot of these pieces are 100 or 120 years old so where do you go to find a piece that is that old? It’s a piece of history, you’re buying a piece of history and this is the way the west was settled."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.