Tribute to a Proud Edmontonian; Herb Horn, story by Arlene Korzan

Arlene Korzan remembers her father Herb Horn, owner of Highland Hardware, and his devotion to his city.
Date: April 22, 1910 to 1975

Our Dad, Herb Horn was born in Edmonton on April 22, 1910. He was always a proud Edmontonian - saying this was the best city to live in. In 1938 he married a local gal, Kathleen Mooney who was also born in Edmonton in 1911.

Growing up in Edmonton, Dad loved to skate and fell in love with the game of hockey at an early age. Eventually he played semi-pro hockey with the Edmonton Gainer Superiors. This team travelled all over Alberta, seeing a lot of the province that a poor boy would otherwise not been able to do.

Dad had to leave school - McDougall, after completing eighth grade. Although he loved school he was needed to help support his mother and two brothers. Dad went to work for the Great Western Garment Co. and became a master cutter. He worked at the GWG for 20 years.

At the end of the war, Dad's younger brother Rob was building houses in the new area of the city - the Highlands. Uncle Rob said to Dad that what was needed in this area was a hardware store. After much discussion with Mom and the banker, Dad decided to give it a try and in 1945 opened the Highland Hardware on 112 Ave. and 65 Street. He was to say in later years that it was one of the best decisions he ever made. Dad loved to go to work - he had a strong work ethic - opening the store at exactly 9 a.m. and closing promptly at 6 p.m. - six days a week. Lot of people would come to visit - I think Dad knew everyone in the Highlands.

Dad sold the store in 1975. He often said that he felt, although they were nice people everywhere, the Highlands had more that its share.