Estevan- My Hillside Memories

My Hillside Memories

Phil Gent Family Residence, late 1950's, early 1960's
837 Isabelle St
Before Pavement, before Sidewalks, and Vinyl Siding
Mom sold the house in 2002

While I went to school here I delivered the “Star Weekly” to most of the parents homes.
One of the finest and kindest parents I remember was Colleen Slater's Mother.
I lived on Isabelle St, they lived on King St.
When it was 35 below, by the time I got to her place I must have looked frozen, she always asked me in and let me warm up before carrying on.
She saved me from many a frozen nose and toe! I thank her!

We all had fun on the north side of the tracks!

South of King St was the Stock Car (Dirt) Track and Fairgrounds.

photo of Ray Blondeau racing 1960 courtesy Wayne Wagner

As a young kid with no money, I remember peaking through the broken boards and knot holes watching the cars race around.
To those on Shift work, like my Dad, they were the scourge of the earth, making all that dust and noise.
I can’t believe the residents on King St. put up with it for many years.
Years ago there used to be horse racing on the same track. Much quieter I am sure!
A huge grandstand stood on the grounds, but it was destroyed by the wind.
Today half of this area is Residential (Centennial Park Subdivision), and also contains a Senior’s Housing Complex, (Yardley Place) on the corner of King St and Highway 47.

During the winter we made our own fun on the outdoor rink in Hillside Playground.
I remember hours on the skating rink in the Kinsmen Park, which was between Henry & George St.
We would play outdoor hockey until we were frozen stiff, then go home, and watch Ed Sullivan and the Beatles.
2017 the Kinsmen have built a new multi purpose rink here, and it looks awesome.
No lights, no Zamboni, just red cheeks, and frozen toes, and a barrel of clean fun!
When it snowed we didn’t mind shovelling snow for that! Everyone came to the outdoor rink in those days.
Old skates, usually at least one size too large! No raising the puck, since no one had Shin pads.
But there was always someone who would lift it up, and many a bruise was the result.
Today the rink is set up with night lights and all the trimmings. Great place for the kids, then and now.
In the mid 60’s an outdoor wading pool was added for the younger crowd.
Up to that point a trip up to Elks Park on 1st St was required to have a cool swim.
Today this pool is still used in the summer months by the new Hillside Crowd.
The old Spiral Slide is gone now, but the large swing sets are still there.

For many years Hillside had a few small business located in it’s boundaries.
Places like Hahn Brothers Plumbing, Louie Boey’s corner store, Tommy Abrams Barber Shop, AC Duce Electric,
the old Garage on the George St and Hwy 47 corner, (now a Plumbing and Heating Co) and a few other oil company offices on Edward St, but not much more.
In the 50’S the OK Economy store was built, (closing in April, 2000) in what is technically Pleasantdale, but considered Hillside by everyone in the area.
The natural boundary was the ravine, between Hillside and Pleasantdale, to all but the Subdividers, and the City, at the time.
Next to the OK was the bowling Alley. Originally all 10 pin. Now contains a nice restaurant in the front of it.
The Texaco station was built on Hwy 47 corner, to Pleasantdale in mid 60’s was a Glass shop for a while.
The real west boundary of Hillside Subdivision is Highway 47.

Hillside also had the new Arena and new Watertower as major attractions in the late 50’s.
Many an Estevan Bruin game would I attend, and cheer on the home team.
Both of these are now in the Centennial Park Subdivision.

New Curling Club building, and Leisure Center built on each side of the Old Estevan Arena.
Behind the Arena the fairgrounds are still being used and a Pro Rodeo is held each July at the site.
The Leisure Centre houses the Library, Nicholson Centre, the new Estevan Indoor Pool, Gym facilities, Meeting rooms and much more.
Both of these structures now are in the Centennial Park Subdivision.

A new Mall has been added to the east end of King St. and in 1999 a new Canadian Tire Store, and Wholesale Club Store have been built near this Mall.
The New Dairy Queen, 7 Eleven, Beefeater Inn, various Car lots, Ambulance Station, St Peter’s Lutheran Church have all been added in the 70’s,80’s and 90’s.
Today Hillside, Scotsburn and Centennial Park Subdivisions are the place to be and to live. New fire hall added in 2017. MAny new Hotels in the NE now.
All the new Subdivisions have been constructed around the new Mall area. What a change from the late 50’s and 60’s.

In the 60’s the Scotsburn School was built at 461 King St. in what is technically Scotsburn Subdivision.
Nothing but empty field past there in the 60’s. No mall etc.
Of course good old Hillside School stood proud in the center of the Subdivision at 721 Henry St.
In 1962 a new Hillside school was built at 637 Eva St, Addition in 1965, and Gym added in 1977.
The first graduating class, in the new school, was in 1965, according to my friend Ron Hitchcock.
The new School that replaced Estevan Collegiate was built in 1968, and opened in fall of 1969.
It was called ECS, Estevan Comprehensive School. It was built to the east of Hillside, on the north end Scotsburn Subdivision.
It probably sits on part of the Maple Grove Subdivision.

Contrary to my Mom’s wishes, and using my hard earned paper delivery money, I bought a Honda 90 Super Sport Motorcycle, with my $450.00 raised and saved for years.
I used this same Bike through High School at ECI, and even for 2 years, 1967-69, going to SAIT Tech School in Calgary.
It was great, and wished I still had it, with the price of gas today.

Vehicles I bought in Estevan

My Buddy, Bud Haygarth found a like new copy of my old bike in the Reynolds Museum in Alberta, and sent me a picture of it.

Honda Super Sport 90
It was his first motorcycle ride, I gave him on that bike, and now he rides the big boys to Sturgis!
Bet the guys in Sturgis would get a kick out of me on that bike going down main street!!
Folks laughed, but I loved that bike! It would go 65 mph, and get about 70 miles to the gallon.

When I moved to BC in 1969, I bought a brown 1961 Bel-Air car from the dealer on Souris Ave, next to the car wash today,
and drove that for a few years here in Terrace BC. It was my Uncle Bill Fiest's car, and they lived on Cundall Dr. overlooking the ravine.
Wished I still had that too!

I hope you remember these and more memories of this great area.
I only lived there for 11 years, but enjoyed those, until today, and beyond!
By Doug Gent

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