Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park

WATERTON-GLACIER INTERNATIONAL PEACE PARK

Part I

Rev. Canon S. H. Middleton Cardston, Alberta

The Government of Canada and the Government of the United States, by uniting the contiguous national park areas in the Province of Alberta and the State of Montana under the name of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, have added another golden line to the story of harmonious relationships which have continued between the two countries for a century.

In the conception of an International Park lies a lofty and inspiring ideal. The music of running waters, the songs of birds, the delicate colouring of peak, lake and forest, have their response in the human heart, while the assembling and association of citizens of neighbouring countries in an atmosphere of beauty such as that of the new International peace park must inevitably strengthen a friendship which has stood the test of time.

The establishing of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is essentially a Rotary project.

At the first annual good-will meeting fostered by the Cardston Rotary Club at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton Lakes Park, on Saturday, July 4th, 1931, between the Rotarians of Alberta and Montana, the following resolution was presented for consideration and carried, unanimously.

Moved by Rev. Canon S. H. Middleton, Cardston, and seconded by Harry B. Mitchell of Great Falls.

"Whereas one hundred members of the Rotary Clubs, representing the cities of Cardston, Lethbridge and Calgary of Alberta; Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula of Montana, and Estevan, Saskatchewan, are assembled together attending an international meeting at the Waterton Lakes National Park;

"And Whereas, it has been decided that a similar annual meeting be held alternately at Glacier Park, Montana, and Waterton National Park, Alberta;

"Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the proper authorities be petitioned to commence negotiations to establish the two parks indicated as a permanent International Peace Park, which shall be definitely set aside for this laudable purpose.

"Pledging our loyalty and allegiance to foster all international relationships."

Negotiations were immediately commenced with the local representatives of the governments concerned, Brig.-General J. S. Stewart, C.M.G., D.S.O., M.P. for Alberta, and the Hon. Scott Leavitt for Montana. Bills were duly presented during the 1932 session before the Federal Government, Washington, and the Dominion Government, Ottawa, both Houses working separately and conjointly in their respective spheres, which resulted in the official proclamation that the two parks be henceforth designated as the "Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park."

In consequence thereof the "Land of the Shining Mountains" on the United States side, a scenic wonderland on the Canadian side, the first international peace park in the world was dedicated with impressive ceremonies at Glacier Park, Montana, on June 18th, 1932.

Two thousand people witnessed the programme which linked up Glacier Park on the south and Waterton Park on the north. At this time was demonstrated a feeling of peace and good-will between the nations that will be long remembered.

Sponsored by Rotary International, the event was significant in every aspect. Its importance was emphasized by the attendance of statesmen from the United States and Canada while messages of greeting came from the national capitals.

President Hoover, of the United States, in a message read during the ceremony, said: "Dedication of the Waterton-Glacier International Park is a further gesture of the good-will that has so long blessed our relations with our Canadian neighbors, and I am gratified by the hope and faith that it will forever be an appropriate symbol of permanent peace and friendship."

Premier Bennett, of Canada, wrote: "I send sincere congratulations and good wishes on the occasion of the dedication. The relations between Canada and the United States have so long been characterized not only by that peace which is the foundation of our two democracies but by mutual respect and friendship. It is my earnest hope that this great international peace park, stretching across our common frontier, and in which the citizens of both our countries may seek recreation, may forever remain a permanent memorial of all that neighborly relations should be between adjoining nations."

Proclamations creating the park were read by Brig.-General J. S. Stewart, C. M. G., D.S.O., M.P., for the Canadian Government, and Hon. Joseph Dixon, Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Interior, for the United States.

Part II

Ernest J. Immel, Staff Writer Great Falls (Montana) Tribune

On July 4, 1936, at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes Park, Alberta, the dedication of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park was renewed. Again the Rotarians of two countries assembled to utter their faith in the triumph of peace over strife if man would but make it so. There was a message from President Roosevelt, a message from Prime Minister King of the Dominion of Canada. In a sense the ceremonies of the day marked also the dedication of the new International Highway that binds Waterton Park in Alberta and Glacier Park in Montana, with a shortened motor route, one that enfolds marvels of transcending scene.

Canon S. H. Middleton of Cardston to whom perhaps more than to any other belongs the distinction of having conceived Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, was chairman and director of the program. During the program greetings were brought from the President of the United States by the Honorable H. B. Mitchell and from the Dominion Government by Senator W. A. Buchanan. Following these addresses the International Peace Park Plaque was dedicated.

Part III

Ven. Archdeacon S. H. Middleton Cardston, Alberta

(Editorial Note: The following compilation is condensed from material prepared by Ven. Archdeacon S. H. Middleton for use in a pamphlet to be published by him. To Archdeacon Middleton, without doubt, is due the largest credit for the establishment of the International Peace Park and the various ceremonials which have celebrated its establishment.)

Waterton and Glacier, lovers hand in hand, Brows kissed by dawns, eager faces fanned By winds attuned like some strange spirit choir, Soft now with dreaming, rolling now with fire; In these vast haunts of quietude Men shall find rest, an healing interlude. Here seasons come, grow old and pass -- The snows, the vivid flowers, the browning grass; Age finds sweet solace, youth a constant sign Of courage written in each rock and pine. Here mighty glaciers send their floods away South to the Gulf, northward to the Bay; Here deep lakes call, Olympian mountains rise To lave their peaks in liquid, lilac skies, And canyons green are filled with friendly things That still our petty fears and wonderings. Here men of neighbour nations meet To make the bond of fellowship complete; And from this spot shall kinship's ties increase Blessing the land in this new birth of Peace.

-C. Frank Steele.

Since the consummation and dedication ceremonies at Prince of Wales Hotel, July 4, 1936, annual meetings have been held alternately in Montana and Alberta except during the years of World War II.

At a meeting of the International Executive Committee held at Waterton Park in July, 1946, it was decided to erect two cairns, one on each side of the International Boundary line on the Chief Mountain Highway, suitably inscribed, at an estimated cost of $1,500 for each cairn. The two cairns were duly erected under the direction of the International Peace Park Executive Committee and the Superintendents of Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park.

The cornerstones for each cairn were laid with impressive ceremonies on June 15, 1947. On August 2, 1947 the cairns were dedicated and set aside as international land marks.

'In the Name of God, we will not take up arms against each other. We will work for peace; maintain liberty; strive for freedom and demand equal opportunity for all mankind. May the long existing peace between our two nations stimulate other people to follow this example. We thank Thee, O God.'

With these words and with hands clasped across the border, a thousand people -- Rotarians, Provincial and International tourists, government officials, National Park employees and their families highlighted the dedication of the two cairns. Messages were read from President Truman of the United States and Prime Minister MacKenzie King of Canada, followed by addresses by the lieutenant-governors of Montana and Alberta and others. On the American side of the border, the Star Spangled Banner was sung by the assembled people; then the people moved to the border where they clasped hands across a vari-colored ribbon and repeated in unison a pledge to keep the peace. The ceremony on the Canadian side took place beside a cairn identical in design with the one on the United States side. On the Canadian side the people sang "Oh Canada" and "The King."

Following the Chief Mountain program, the gathering reassembled in front of the Prince of Wales Hotel where addresses of welcome were made from the balcony by Superintendent H. A. deVeber of Waterton and Superintendent J. W. Emmert of Glacier. Archdeacon Middleton gave a resume explaining the origin and founding of the Peace Park. A message from President Truman was read by Rotarian William E. Rae of Havre, Montana and a message from Prime Minister King was presented by Senator W. A. Buchanan of Lethbridge. Secretary of the Interior Julius A. Krug was represented by Regional Director C. L. Merriam; and James A. Glen, Canadian Minister of Mines and Resources, was represented by Superintendent T. H. Wood of Jasper National Park and Superintendent J. S. Hutchinson of Banff National Park.

Senator Buchanan struck the keynote of the meeting when he said that he felt that the cairns would be forever a reminder to tourists traveling over the Chief Mountain Highway that "Canada and the United States have been friendly, are friendly and will always be friendly."

Members of the International Peace Park Committee present for these ceremonies were Archdeacon Middleton of Cardston, Senator Buchanan of Lethbridge, Fred Osborn of Calgary, A. G. Baalim of Lethbridge, J. S. Low of Cardston, Carl Hummer of Kalispell, and W. E. Rae of Havre.