Secrets of the Southwest 2013 Page 47 Discover arts and history at Empress


Surrounded by prairie grass and rolling river hills, Empress is a quiet little village nestled between the Red Deer and South Saskatchewan rivers. This artistic com- munity offers a variety of shopping and local heritage sites of interest. Visit ‘That’s Empressive’ Gallery, Gift Shop & Teahouse featuring art by Nokomos and other Canadian crafters. It is open daily for meals and fuel. Alberta Heritage Building, the 1914 CPR station of


unique design, is undergoing restoration as an historical railway museum. St. Mary’s Anglican Church, estab- lished in 1914, is also under care of the local historical society. Peter Fidler Campground along the river and Up


Town RV Park near the Centennial Park picnic area, offer full service camping. The Empress Motor Inn and Forks View Motel & Manor provide comfortable lodging year round.


South of town, overlooking the South Saskatchewan


River, River Hills Lodge and Retreat hosts special family gatherings, or large corporate groups. This scenic loca- tion invites river walks and bird watching. Traveling east on the Empress Grid you will find Forks Prairie Orchard, 10 km east of Empress. It is an organic U-pick orchard which also offers jams and jellies. Phone


403-565-2191 for hours of operation. Just past the Estuary Ferry Turnoff, about 20 km east of Empress, is Sagebrush Studios. Prairie gardens sur- round three restored church art galleries exhibiting Dean Francis’ paintings and Fran Francis’ pottery. The studio is open June to September by appointment. Call 403-565-2039 www.deanfrancis.ca.


The 1914 CPR station is being restored as an historical railway museum.


When travelling to Empress, Alta. from southwest Saskatchewan, take the ferry at Estuary across the South Saskatchewan River.


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