One of the great pleasures—and challenges—of working with historic photographs is that not every image comes with a full story attached. Sometimes the names, dates, and locations have faded, even though the moment captured is clearly full of energy and significance.
The photograph above is one such image from the CHAPS archives.
It shows a four-horse team pulling a wagon at full speed, dust rising from the track, spectators gathered along the rail, and the rolling landscape of Big Hill Country in the background. The scene suggests excitement, competition, and a community gathered to watch something special—but exactly what is happening remains a bit of a mystery.
That’s where we’re asking for your help.
The Contest
We invite you to take a close look at this photo and share what you know—or what you think you know.
To enter the contest, leave a comment (on our website or social media post) answering as many of the following as you can:
Where do you think this photograph was taken?
What event might this be? (A race, fair, exhibition, or special challenge?)
When do you think this took place? An approximate decade is perfect.
Bonus: Do you recognize the wagon, horses, or style of harnessing?
If you have a family connection, memory, or story related to events like this, we would especially love to hear from you.
Why This Matters
Many of the photographs in the CHAPS collection depend on community knowledge to fully come alive. Your insights help us:
Correctly identify locations and events
Add meaningful context to our archives
Preserve local history for future generations
In the past, community members have helped us identify long-lost names, places, and even rediscovered forgotten stories—all from a single photograph.
The Prize
One winner will be selected based on the most accurate, insightful, or helpful response. The prize includes:
A complimentary 2026 CHAPS membership
A copy of More Big Hill Country
Contest Deadline
Entries close on January 31, 2026.
History doesn’t live in archives alone—it lives in shared memories. If you recognize something in this photograph, or know someone who might, please share this post and help us uncover the story behind the image.
Every photo has a story. Sometimes it just needs the right people to tell it.
Community Response
Community members recall chuckwagon racing at Griffin Park Race Track, generally placing it in the late 1970s to early 1980s, though a few memories suggest earlier decades. The track was located north of the Bow River, roughly where the SLS Centre, water treatment plant, and sewage pump station are today. Many remember the site as an active hub with barns, a rodeo arena, and the Cochrane Roping Club, where locals spent much of their summers roping and socializing.
Several commenters believe the wagon pictured belonged to Tom (Tommy) Glass, though there is some uncertainty about who was driving at the time—names mentioned include Tom Glass or Doug Lauder. The WPCA reportedly raced at Griffin Park for a couple of years. One vivid story recounts a runaway team during a race, stopped only when a roper jumped into the wagon to help a recovering driver regain control. Beyond racing, memories include kids playing around the track, families gathering, and the strong community spirit tied to Cochrane’s chuckwagon and roping history
Gerald Chapin of Didsbury provided the best response. We'll be in touch about membership and delivery of a volume of More Big Hill Country.
