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Blame it on the Huldufolk;

Invisible mischief makers take fall for unexplained goings-on in hamlet

Susan Zielinski

Had a flat tire lately? Missing car keys? Any unexplained footprints?

When something disappears, doesn’t work or something mysterious happens in Markerville, Alta., there may be a reason – the mythical, invisible Huldufolk. Huldufolk means “hidden people” in Icelandic. Legend has it they are mischievous spirits.

“In Iceland if things go bad, they always blame the Huldufolk,” said Wayne Linneberg, a member of the Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society of Markerville, just southwest of Red Deer, Alta. The hamlet was settled by people of Iclandic descent more than 100 years ago. “But they don’t get credit for good things.”

Linneberg has researched tales of the Huldufolk for the Markerville Creamery Museum. “One of the tools you have to use is your imagination when you’re exploring this,” Linneberg said with a twinkle in his eye.

Huldufolk are part of Icelandic history, a society rich with traditions and fables.

Stories of the past live on, and some Icelanders say the Huldufolk still make their presence known, especially at problematic construction sites. Huldufolk are believed to be guardians of nature and the environment, Linneberg said.

“If you ask an Icelander today if they believe in the Huldufolk, you might get a very serious answer. “Or you won’t get any answer at all,” he said, raising his eyebrows.

Legend has it that Huldufolk came into being when God visited Eve in the Garden of Eden. She had not finished washing all the children and she hid the children who God knew what she did and decreed those hidden children and their descendants would never be seen and are invisible to this day. They will only appear if they want you to see them.

Who’s to say the elves didn’t arrive in Markerville with Icelandic settlers? So in honour of Icelandic lore, the Markerville Creamery Museum has installed a collection of four large rocks in its backyard to make Huldufolk feel at home.

The royal family of the Huldufolk is said to live at Hamarinn Cliff near the Iceland town of Hafnarfjordur, where elves are respected citizens.

Another legend has it Huldufolk have married people and any handsome or beautiful, talented and charming Icelanders may have a secret. They might be Huldufolk,” Linneberg said with a laugh.

Icelandic Immigrants settled the community in 1888, and some of the buildings the homesteaders built have been preserved and are still serving the community.

This cluster of historic buildings, are still on their original sites:

Stephansson House Historic Site: Home of the famous Icelandic poet Stephan G Stephansson was built in 1907 with additions as the years went by. The provincial government completely restored it, researched the life of the poet and created supporting elements to make Stephansson House an interesting and educational visit for tourists. It open restored to 1927 in 1982. Over the summer season it is staffed by costumed interpreters and welcomes a steady stream of Alberta, Canadian and International visitors.

Historic Markerville Creamery Museum: Established in 1899, the Markerville Creamery was restored to 1920s, with all steam-operated equipment in place.
. This time the community undertook the restoration process with Alberta Historic Recourses assistance. The Creamery Museum opened to the public in 1986 and offers seasonal programs and tours by costumed interpreters and volunteers. The museum includes Kaffistofa, a small coffee shop offering an Icelandic menu. The creamery has once again become the centre of a rural agricultural community, with the neighbours stopping for a “coffee break” every morning, year round.

3. Historic Fensala Hall: Fensala is “home of the gods” in Icelandic mythology. Built in 1904, the community celebrated this important piece of history by restoring it to its 1920s appearance, with the addition of a modern amenities user expect today. It is beginning its second century fully functional community hall. This restoration cost over 0,000. The Alberta government provided a grant of ,000. This small community raised over 0,000 in two years.

Markerville Community Church: This pretty little white and blue church built in 1907, lures amateur painters to come and paint it. Young couples from all over Central Alberta, wishing a small wedding off the beaten path choose this church and Fensala for their reception and dance.

Hola School: Hola School (named after an important school in Northern Iceland) Started life as a log school in 1892, and was replaced with the building used today by the Creamery Museum staff to offer a 1920s rural one-room country school experience to local school children in the summer and card parties and social events in the winter.

Library: Icelanders were extremely fond of reading and writing and conversation and versifying. It was this love of the literature and language that prompted then to start a literary society in 1892. “Iđunn” (goddess of learning and poetry) first met at the post office and a building was erected later in Markerville. Twenty-three farmers bought an unprecedented worth of books and 2 newspaper subscriptions. (a quarter section of land cost ) The library closed in the thirties and the building sold to a local farmer. It is good shape and they would like to buy it back some day.

Other things of historical interest about Markerville:

Stephan G Stephansson Icelandic Society own and operate the Creamery Museum, Fensala Hall and the Church. Hola Community Society own and operate Hola School (All members of the Hola Society are also members of the Icelandic Society. It’s a small community) Stephan G Stephansson Icelandic Society also acts in a “Friends of” role for the government owned Stephansson House. The Icelandic Society has 80, members about 25% are descendants of the original homesteader and the rest are from the multiethnic modern community. The Museum can bring in up to 200 volunteers when needed.

Vonin: (Icelandic ladies Aid) Vonin means “Hope” started in 1894, still meets regularly today, the membership fee of 25 cents has never been increased. Before the government created social programs, they were the ones who helped local folks in times of crisis. It has a very interesting history.

Huldufolk: Huldufolk (translated, hidden people) like Irish Leprechauns or Norwegian trolls, these often-impish beings have been in Markerville for over 100 years. Recently a rock garden was built on the Creamery Museum grounds to make a safe home for them. A Stephan G Stephansson Icelandic Society member researched the Alberta history of Huldufolk and gave a written report.

We cannot send you a picture as they refuse to be seen by humans. But if you come you can read the story.

Over 15,000 people find their way, 20 minutes off the main highway, to Markerville every summer. 2000 school children come to Markerville for a lesson in living on a homestead at Stephansson House, then to Hola for the 1920s school experience and to Markerville Creamery Museum to learn what it meant to an isolated pioneer community to have a place to sell farm products for cash.

I wish to nominate the Alberta Community of Markerville for inclusion in your magazine.

Not knowing exactly what you need to make your selection, I have attached a very short account of the century old buildings Markerville has preserved. They have been restored in a fashion that makes them useful amenities to a modern rural community.

A new project started in 2007 is introducing an old bit of Norse mythology and adds new interest and a bit of whimsy to history.
I have attached an article from the Red Deer Advocate that nicely sums up the history of “Huldufolk” in Markerville

I would nominate Orono, Ontario. This small village has recently celebrated 175 years of settlement. The best person to speak to about our community is Martha Rutherford Conrad: 905-983-9807:

Frances Tufts
http://www.kendalhills.ca

The Crowsnest Pass is the lowest pass through the Rocky Mountains between Jasper National Park and New Mexico. As a result, we get animals and plants from both sides of the continental divide – an unusually diverse mix of rare species. Our cultural history is equally significant. The Pass evolved as a collection of coal mining towns, now amalgamated (since 1979) into the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass. Our land base is huge, and our population is still relatively small (less than 6,000). Partly because the last coal mine on the Alberta side of the Pass closed in 1983 and the area has been economically depressed, we’ve retained most of our heritage buildings – residential, commercial and industrial. Part of the community of Coleman has been declared a National Historic Site because it still has the mine, commercial districts, residential neighbourhoods and transportation network (CPR) in close proximity much as all this has existed together for 100 years. Downtown Coleman is often used in films because of its intact historical ambience. Time has seemed to stand still for the Crowsnest Pass. The area has many historical resources and developed historic sites such as the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, Bellevue Underground Mine and Crowsnest Museum. It is the location of the three worst disasters in Alberta’s history – the 1914 Hillcrest Mine Disaster that claimed 189 lives; the 1903 Frank Slide that killed more than 70 people; and the 1910 Bellevue Mine Explosion where 30 miners and one rescuer died. Shoot outs, rum running and violent weather (floods/fires) have also contributed to making the Crowsnest valley a kind of disaster alley. Despite the tragic history, the people of the Pass have blossomed, bringing their many ethic traditions together to build a strong community rich in music (one of the oldest symphony orchestras in Alberta and a long standing music festival) and diversity of culture. Today, developers are discovering the Crowsnest Pass and it will be our challenge to accommodate growth while retaining our heritage buildings and sense of place.

We would like to nominate the Tyrone area – Historic Heritage Homestead Sir Robert McLaughlin (father of the son of the founder of GM Canada). The actual property is now owned by the Wilsons (Ontario Motor Sales) and there is a heritage plaque and small viewing area (with a carriage works sign and carriage). This ties in with Parkwood Estate in Oshawa (the home of Sir Robert McLaughlin Jr.)–an amazing Canadian Heritage Home that is very well maintained and conducts daily tours of the property with compelling historical stories.

http://www.parkwoodestate.caom
http://www.heritageoshawa.ca

There are also a number of B&B’s near the Homestead property:

http://www.groupofsevenbandbs.ca

Regards,
Lynn Morrison,
http://www.willowpondbedandbreakfast.ca
http://www.fishermansparadise.ca
905-263-2405

I am writing to ask you to consider Sparta as Canada’s best heritage community.

Besides being a small rural community that offers Artists such as Peter Robson and local folk artist Lucy Ogletree, and all types of shopping and a tea room and bakery among other things, Sparta’s heritage dates back to the Quakers. The Sparta settlement has a rich history. Following the American Revolutionary War of Independence, many Quakers fled the United States to avoid persecution stemming from their refusal to take sides during the War. In 1813, Jonathan Doan, a Pennsylvania Quaker, made a shelter near the west edge of the current village while exploring the region. He purchased 3000 acres of land for use by Quakers and a community was started. Of particular note is the 1865 Quaker Meeting House and the Forge and Anvil Museum. Many of Sparta’s original buildings have been well maintained or restored and they represent interesting and fine examples of period architecture dating back to 1825.

Please visit these sites for more info on Sparta.
http://www.spartahouse.com/

http://www.winter-wheat.com/welcome.html

http://www.spartacandles.com/IE/CandlesContentIE.html

I would like to nominate Lacombe, Alberta. Our town has several heritage homes and the downtown area is quite famous for it’s Edwardian Architecture.

Yes, Craik has a couple of things:
an ECO project, an Archive, an historic Church, a gorgeous old hall – mostly by volunteers and that’s why we all look tired and old!

I would like to nominate the Village of Stirling, Alberta. The village was incorporated in 1899 and recognized by Parks Canada in 1989 as a National Historic Site. At that time the village was the best remaining example of a Mormon Church settlement pattern known as the Plat of Zion. The features of the pattern were 10 acre lots around the outside of the village. Those lots were broken down into 8 lots of 1.25 acres for families. The lots were large enough for families to keep their livestock in town, have a large garden & orchards. The streets were 100 feet wide so that two wagons could turn around on the street. All streets were built on the grid with the village square being the only lot off the grid. Our modern, thriving village still has those features. We can still keep our livestock within the village!

The Historical Society has recognized eleven historic buildings and printed a walking tour guide for visitors. They have also developed the Michelsen Farmstead, a provincial historic site back to it’s original beauty before
the 1920’s. The site includes the home, large hip roof barn, outbuildings and machinery. The site is open to the public from May – September.

The Great Canadian Plains Railway Society is restoring the Coutts/Sweetgrass train station just north of the village at the Galt Historic Railway Park.

The station was built in 1890 by Sir Alexander Galt and his son Elliott on the border of the Northwest Territories and Montana to provide services to travelers on their narrow-gauge railway from Lethbridge to Great Falls. The
park is open from May to September.

It was the Galt family plan to settle southern Alberta to make the railway viable. To do that they worked with the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City to get workers who were experienced in irrigation to come to southern Alberta.
Even today, irrigation is a very significant part of the agriculture of the province.

For more information about the historic Village of Stirling, check out http://www.villageofstirling.com/

Or check out the Canadian Badlands driving tour called “Prairie Winds and Badlands” driving tour at
http://www.canadianbadlands.com/tours/lgt_intro.htm

My nomination is for the historic Village of Stirling. It is a very well kept secret in southern Alberta. We are located 20 minutes drive south of Lethbridge on Highway #4.