Earlier in the nineteenth century most prospective immigrants from overseas preferred to go to the United States because they thought the economic opportunities were greater. By 1900, good, cheap land had become scarce in the United States. Many farmers from the American mid-west packed up and trekked northward to 'the last best West' - the Canadian prairies. These Americans, experienced in dry farming techniques and possessing some funds, were able to establish themselves successfully as wheat farmers. This slide shows two popular methods of transportation. The wagon train and the railroad brought Americans to the Canadian prairie. Notice the treeless terrain in the top photo and the settler taking advantage of the shade cast by her wagon to prepare a meal. The "solid train-load of settlers for Alberta" appears a more comfortable and efficient means of transportation. How the baby carriage would fare on the rough prairie sod remained to be seen; but men, women, and children were prepared to face hardship for a chance at their own land. These settlers came from Colorado to settle at Gem, Alberta in 1914.
Courtesy: Public Archives of Manitoba and Glenbow-Alberta Institute
