Bud Cotton Buffalo Paddock One of the most celebrated and visible of the Camp’s reincarnations was the renewed establishment of a buffalo herd within the old Buffalo National Park district. Chapter One of this book describes the origin of bison herds in this area, and their impact upon this community. With LCol Curly Gentles at the helm, the path to the past saluted Michel Pablo and Bud Cotton and their lifelong connection to the majestic plains bison. To celebrate the community’s 75th anniversary, grants were available and put to good use with the town supplying the posts and fencing, and Camp forfeiting some of their many acres for the exhibition paddock, and obtaining four buffalo from Elk Island National Park. These would have been descendents of the original Pablo herd that were temporarily pastured at Elk Island while enclosures and rail connections were completed at Wainwright. On June 10, 1980, an aptly chosen transport company, Bison Freightline, delivered two male and two female buffalo (two year olds) to their new home in Wainwright. The ceremony included town and camp officials and the paddock’s namesake, Bud Cotton, backed by several of the original Park riders. In April of 1982 the first baby buffalo was noticed, and thus began the herd which now totals over 20. Reports suggest seven calves were born in 1990. On October 17, 1987, Bud Cotton passed away at 97 years in a Calgary nursing home. His memory will live on in the many stories he has written and his devotion to Buffalo National Park. Bud’s granddaughter, Carole Pollard of Chauvin, told of the pride her grandfather had experienced to know that the paddock had been named after him. It pleased him to see the memory of the buffalo will not easily be erased. Park Gates In 1988 the original Buffalo National Park Gates were returned to their rightful location, having spent a number of years in Wallace Park along Highway 14. (stonework noted on page 29) Major Dave Hackett, DCO of Camp Wainwright at that time, liaisoned with Town Council to allow the release of the gates and the restoration of their site. A plaque commemorating the event accompanies the original plaque on the stone surface of the pillars. Buffalo Park Hall (Bldg 440) is situated next to the gates and a picnic area has been fashioned for family outings. (1990 view page 107) The map on page 45 marks the location at the conference centre, on the road leading directly west of the PMQ area. POW Watchtower An original watchtower from the POW camp in 1945 - 1946 has been refurbished and stands just inside the Camp gates at the corner of Buffalo Road and Hillside Road. Shutters have been added to its exterior as a protection measure for the museum - like area within. A comparison photo may be found on page 32. Chapter Two deals with the Internment Camp 135 which operated during the last years of World War II. POW Reunion In 1980, the community’s 75th coincided with World War II’s 40th anniversary. POW’s returned to Internment Camp 135 for a reunion. LCol Gentles hopes to see some of them again during the September celebrations this year. Bits and Pieces