Inside This Issue: Take Note Take Note Announcements p. 3 And the Winner Is… p. 3 New! 100th Anniversary Leer from the Editor p. 4 Contact Informaon p. 4 Cemetery Tour! Bezanson Townsite Centennial Municipal Cemetery by Wanda Zenner p. 5‐7 7 p.m. June 11 & July 16 Featured Fonds Register soon as space is limited, 780‐830‐5105 Bezanson family fonds p. 8‐9 Jennie Croken’s Memories p. 10 And don’t miss by Jennie Tomshak Croken The Storytelling Tours in the Heritage Village Explore the History of Huallen and the at the Grande Prairie Museum, August 2‐3 Saskatoon Mtn Radar Base No registraon needed. By Pat Wearmouth p. 12‐15 100th Anniversary of WWI And the Winner Is.. The Buck Brothers p. 16 The winner of the City of Grande Prairie Building Childhood Memories and Gimle School Idenficaon Contest in the March newsleer is: by Mary Dever p. 17 Suzanne Dunn What Archives Do and Why With Honourable Menon to: by Patricia Greber p. 20‐21 Marlyss & Walter Paszkowski New Friends Society for SPRA p. 22 Bill Turnbull Heritage Plaques & Walking Tour p. 22 Lorne & Elly Reader Response: Alaska Music Trail Bruce Millar by Marg Bowes & Kathryn Auger p. 23 Gail Schau “All the Fast Horses”, May 18, 1928 The booby prize goes to: Submied by Kathryn Auger p. 24 Mary Nung for mis‐idenfying a building in the Grande Prairie Bldg Idenficaon Contest p. 24 original contest. For the answers see page 24. Beth Sheehan Award for

Donna Shail & Clayton Greber p. 25 On the Front Cover: (SPRA 1990.30.071 Bezanson family New at the Archives p. 26 fonds) Ancel Maynard Bezanson with his camera against a bank of the Smoky River. He was an excellent photographer Member News p. 26 and writer, one of the first promoters of selement in the Membership Applicaon Form p. 27 South Peace River Country. You can read more of his story 2 on pages 5‐9. 3

June 1, 2014 TELLING OUR STORIES Dear Members and Supporters; “Townsite” Celebrates Its Centennial PUBLISHED BY What a busy year of anniversaries, with the City of by Wanda Zenner Grande Prairie, the townsite of Bezanson, the South Peace Regional Archives Society Research Staon, and the beginning of World War I all in one year. It gives you pause to PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT Bezanson Townsite is celebrang 100 years of By 1914, the “Townsite” was undergoing a building think about the franc busyness there must have Lane Borstad Gord Mackey existence. On August 30, 2014 everyone is welcome frenzy. In May 1914, a weekly mail service was been here 100 years ago, with towns being built and to aend an old‐fashioned picnic to be held at the established between Grande Prairie and the farms established. Each week the Grande Prairie SECRETARY TREASURER “Townsite” located 10 kms southeast from Bezanson. “Townsite”, with Cecile Evans as the un‐official paper published the war news, current because of postmaster and Sidney Webb as the mail courier. Jan Shields Gail Pree The “Townsite” was the vision of an adventurer from the telegraph, and so many young men responded by Social life in the Smoky River Valley was centered at Nova Scoa, Ancel Maynard Bezanson. In 1904, once going off to war. the “Townsite”, where many dances and other PAST PRESIDENT it became known that several railway companies fesvies were held. A.M. Bezanson would host There are sll lots of things happening with the Irene Nicolson were beginning to plan lines for the Peace Country, many gatherings at his newly built residence – anniversary celebraons, as you will see throughout Maynard traveled the area and published a book especially those that involved future development of the newsleer. The Downtown Associaon has a DIRECTORS depicng his journey. The Peace River Trail sold 5,000 the Peace Country. Work bees were a common walking tour, on which SPRA staff assisted with Rory Tarant, City of Grande Prairie copies and is credited by many for the development occurrence. Families would gather on James research, wring and photographs. If you need any Peter Harris, County of Grande Prairie of the south Peace area prior to the arrival of the “Memory Lane” booklets, they are available here at Brookbanks’ homestead to have a picnic and pick an Roxie Ru, M.D. of Greenview railroad. the Archives. abundance of blueberries. Bezanson provided Stan Bzowy, M.D. of Spirit River Maynard discovered that the Canadian Northern Reverend Forbes with two lots at the top of the hill This issue features the County of Grande Prairie, from Douglas Frani, Director Railway had a line surveyed through the area just near the “Townsite” for a church. Construcon of the Gimle in the west to Bezanson in the east and a lile Beth Sande, Director beyond the confluence of the Simonee and Wapi Presbyterian Church was finished in the fall of 1915 bit of Clairmont in between. If your area has not been Rivers with the Smoky River. He staked out an area and served the community unl around 1920. Once Daryl White, Director featured yet, you could encourage it by wring some for his “Townsite” directly on the rail line (NW 17‐71‐ the Bezanson School District #3302 was established, Eleanor Dalen Whitling, Director stories from your community. 2 W6). Maynard then decided to form a townsite the church was ulized for educaonal purposes from company which he incorporated in 1912. Shortly 1916 to 1919. With the postage going up from $1.34 to $2.00 per MAILING ADDRESS newsleer, it has finally come me to ask if any of thereaer, the first ad for ‘lots for sale’ at Below, the townsite of Bezanson, on a bank above the Smoky and Simonee South Peace Regional Archives our members would rather have the newsleer by the “Bezanson Townsite” appeared in the Rivers, was planned and promoted by A.M. Bezanson, but doomed to decline email than by post. This was iniated by member Box 687, Grande Prairie, AB Journal. As a promoter, A.M. when the ferry was put in at Goodwin Crossing instead of Bezanson Crossing. Gwen Richards who, as a protest against Post, T8V 3A8 Bezanson easily sought out suitable (SPRA 1990.30.083) is asking for as much of her mail as possible to be investors who reveled in his vision for the delivered by email. Good for you, Gwen! Telephone: 780‐830‐5105 “Townsite”. E‐mail: [email protected] My heels are dug a lile more firmly in the past, I’m Unfortunately, the provincial government afraid, and I don’t want the acons of Canada Post to www.southpeacearchives.org had decided to locate the Edson Trail and determine how we enjoy our small pleasures. If you the Smoky River Ferry 10 km downstream like the printed copy, please don’t feel pressured into from the “Townsite” where the Goodwins operated a stopping place. Undaunted asking for the digital copy to save us money. Our Vision: Preserving and Sharing the Past. and at considerable expense, Bezanson However you receive the newsleer, I hope you enjoy Our Mission: The purpose of South Peace Regional saw to it that a road was built down the it and connue to support South Peace Regional Archives is to gather, preserve, and share the hill to a suitable place for a ferry and up Archives. You are much appreciated. historical records of municipalies, organizaons, the other side; following which, he Sincerely, Mary Nung, Editor businesses, families and individuals within the region, purchased and installed a steel cable and both now and in the future. the ferry at the “Townsite” became operaonal. 4 5

By 1915, the “Bezanson purchased by Oscar Albina and moved where it was Bezanson Today Townsite” had 20 buildings. ulized again as a family residence. Ellis Turner was Today Bezanson is a thriving community with a A.D. Berry and Hall & the last resident to leave the Townsite in August populaon of 155 but provides service to a large rural Leonard had general stores 1923. area. Residents appreciate the rural lifestyle and as did Peterson & McDonald, However, the name “Bezanson” would not fade away. small‐town living with convenient access to the City who also ran a boarding The present‐day “Hamlet of Bezanson” began its of Grande Prairie’s amenies. The economy is facility upstairs in their store. existence in 1926 when Pat Rooney decided to strong, supported by progressive industries such as Fred Parker built a jewelry relocate his store business and post office to the oil and gas, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, and store. Joe Thompson had a main, graded road that connected the selements of construcon. The Smoky River Valley provides stable as did William Bayen, Calais and Grande Prairie. He purchased the unmatched scenery and opportunies for leisure and who also had a bunkhouse. Presbyterian Church at the “Bezanson Townsite” and recreaon. S.J. Webb had a barn, two‐ used the logs to build his new store. storey bunkhouse and The hamlet not only boasts the Bezanson General restaurant. Doran had a The Bezanson Townsite Today Store, Ley’s Café, Bezanson Apartment Complex, bakery and restaurant and and Bezanson Golden Years Centre, but also has The “Bezanson Townsite” was designated a also ran a rooming house Seniors’ Coages that opened in 1989, as well as the Registered Historic Resource by the Province in 1986. with Mr. Parker. Mr. Bezanson Community Church and Our Lady of In 1988, with many disnguished guests in Harwood had a hotel. Alex Perpetual Help Church. The Bezanson School aendance, the “Old Bezanson Townsite and Park” Brotherston had a harness remains one of the focal points of the hamlet. The officially opened. The guests included Jim Bezanson shop and Mart Geary Bezanson Agricultural Society, formed in 1981, holds (son of A.M. Bezanson), Percy Bezanson (nephew) operated a blacksmith shop. a recreaonal lease on which is situated the and Gertrude Mason (niece). Also in aendance The McLeod Block was Memorial Hall, ball diamonds, curling rink, skang was Ellis Turner, the last resident to leave the rented by William Leonard rink and riding corrals. In 2005, the Bezanson Fire “Townsite”, who unveiled a stone monument who was the agent for the Hall, owned by the County but manned by dedicated to the pioneer women of the Peace Internaonal Harvester volunteers, was opened. The Fire Hall and the Legion Country. Many of the old building sites had been Company. The building Hut are located on leased land adjacent to the located and idenfied with markers. The campground burned down in January 1916 recreaonal lease. has 20 camping stalls and a day‐use area that and was not insured. The provides spectacular views of the Smoky River. In Although the community has changed over the years, Peace River Milling Company May 2010, the Townsite subsequently received a the spirit of the community, a spirit that originated at had installed a flour mill; designaon as a Municipal Historic Resource. Fran the “Bezanson Townsite”, has not. Rural life is far however, it never turned a Jones, daughter of A.M. Bezanson’s oldest son, Frank, from easy, but it provides an opportunity for crank. along with her two sons, David and Al, visited the community involvement and spirit not usually found need of a town. Disappointed that his dream of a While in existence, the Townsite was a very bustling Townsite and Hamlet of Bezanson in 2013. in urban centers. I believe A.M. Bezanson would be Townsite did not materialize, A.M. Bezanson and his community as almost all of the travel on the trail from proud of the hamlet that bears his name. family le the area in 1917. east of the Smoky River came through Bezanson, although some winter travel crossed the ice at the old In 1921, the Government made a decision to move Goodwin Crossing. It was here that the east Smoky the site of the ferry downriver to a locaon where the selers would pick up their mail, groceries and other crossing was deemed to be more advantageous. Once supplies. As well, it was the route followed by selers the ferry was moved downriver, the “Bezanson who came into the region via the Edson Trail and was Townsite” soon disintegrated. Several buildings were a stopping point for the river boats operang on the either moved or dismantled and rebuilt at different Smoky and Peace Rivers. With the decision of the locaons. The original Peterson & McDonald Store Edmonton, Dunvegan and Brish Columbia Railway to was dismantled by Kenneth Morrison and rebuilt at swing south from Rycro and enter Grande Prairie Glen Leslie where it served again as a store and post from the north, virtually all hope was lost for the office. Bezanson’s house and ice‐house were 6 7

inial trip into the Peace Country in 1906, their homestead on the Smoky River from Featured fonds: Bezanson Family fonds 1908‐1913, his 1913 trip over the Edson Trail in a 1912 Cadillac, the creaon of the roads into the townsite, the Bezanson townsite, the Beaver Riverboat which hauled supplies and people up the Smoky 1906‐[1920]. — 0.3 cm of textual River to the end of steel at Wano in 1915, records. — 183 photographs. — 12 and a collecon of Peace Country scenes postcards. dang from 1910 to 1930. Biographical Sketch Custodial History Ancel Maynard Bezanson, born near In 1990, Janet Sarmaga, on behalf of the Halifax in 1878, began his love affair Bezanson Townsite Commiee, deposited with the Peace Country in 1906. the first collecon in the Grande Prairie That year he traveled throughout Museum. In 2000 the records were the Peace with a camera and a transferred to South Peace Regional notebook, and shortly thereaer Archives. published The Peace River Trails to promote the Peace River Country as A later accrual was donated by Mack a place to sele. He was convinced Prenss, from Bear Lake. These of the agricultural potenal of the photographs had been preserved by a area, returning for another scoung cousin in Seale who ran a rooming house. trip in 1907, and again in 1908 to When an old man there died, she was sele with his bride, Dorothy asked to forward anything of value to his Robillard. That winter, Dorothy next of kin, and destroy the rest. She died in childbirth but her child found the Bezanson pictures and, since they referred to Grande Prairie, sent them to her Photographs from the Bezanson Family fonds include (starng (Frank) survived. In 1910, Bezanson at the top of page 8): a party of selers heading for the Peace cousin Mack Prenss. They were copied by both the married Dorothy’s sister Lois and Country with covered wagons and sleighs in 1906 (SPRA the couple returned to the Peace Daily Herald Tribune and the Provincial Archives of 0155.02.02), a herd of horses belonging to the Canadian Country. The couple lost twin girls , but the originals were donated to SPRA in Naonal Railway Survey party corralled at Teepee Ranch in and had one more son who survived 2003. 1908 (SPRA 1990.30.036), a ghostly double exposure of men and horse in front of the village of Lake Saskatoon in 1914 (Jim). To learn and see more, go to (SPRA 0155.05.21), a First Naons family with teepees and The Bezanson Ranch was called www.southpeacearchives.org, and choose the drying racks on the shores of Moberly Lake in 1911 (SPRA Teepee Ranch, but Bezanson also “Holdings” tab on the top menu bar, then “Finding 0155.05.07), and Bezanson Cale on the shore of Saskatoon kept herds of cale at Saskatoon Lake. When the of the Bezanson townsite. However, when the Aids” and fonds 155 from the list. Lake in 1909 (SPRA 1990.30.049). C.N.R. Survey came through Teepee Ranch in 1908, railroad finally came in 1916, it went north to Wano Bezanson began to promote a townsite “along the and south to Grande Prairie. Bierly disappointed, railway” on a bench above the Smoky River. In 1913, Bezanson le the area and finally seled at Pouce he drove the first car (a Cadillac) over the Edson Trail. Coupe in 1931. His sons, Frank and Jim, also made Accompanying him was A.J. Davidson, a real estate their homes in Brish Columbia. Later in life, in 1954, dealer from Edmonton, who supported Bezanson’s Bezanson published Sodbusters Invade the Peace as a vision of a railroad and town. chronicle of his experiences. In 1914 Bezanson published Looking Ahead in the Scope & Content Peace Country—Building of a City with a detailed map The fonds consists of photographs of Bezanson’s 8 9

“Do you want a job?” I quickly said “Yes”. In those days, girls Jennie Croken’s Memories either worked at home, got married, worked for a farmer, or in a hotel in Grande Prairie. (It was the postmaster’s girls, Mildred and Joey MacDonald, The following story was wrien by who had walked me from the Jennie Croken, who is 98 years old farm to school my first day. They this year. Jennie’s father, Joseph spoke no Polish and I no English, Tomshak, raised a clutch of but we made out just fine.) Trumpeter Swans in the late 1940s, which helped draw the aenon of Like Morrison’s General Store the world to this endangered species. (Bey Welter’s memories in Jennie’s memories incorporate September 2013 issue), stories told by her parents and range MacDonald’s also had a stalk of as far back as 1916. bananas hung up, and a very sharp knife. Cheddar cheese A few weeks aer I was born in 1916, came in 30 lb. rounds from the first train passed close by the This photograph was taken by Gertrude Charters, editor of the Grande Prairie Herald Ontario. In fact, this was oen homestead shack I was born in [on Tribune, who wrote, "Domescated Trumpeter Swans on the snow with the Tomshak my lunch with a piece of Mrs. the farmstead east of Highway 2 children. This is the second winter these rare beauful birds have spent on the farm Tomshak family at the homestead, ca. 1925 (L‐R) Frank, Joe, Leddy’s pie from Hotel Leddy where the railway tracks cross the highway north of where they were brought as small cygnets in June, 1947.” (SPRA 112.02.28) Tony, Jennie (9 yrs.), Albert & mother Nellie. (SPRA 112.02.30) next door. I walked in from the Clairmont]. When Frank and Tony, my brothers, were farm every day and, aer old enough, we’d run to see the train, which came by east to Wellington School. Mr. Alt, our teacher, made helping with milking each morning, had no me to two mes a week. Somemes the engineer would J.G. MacGregor’s book describes the hamlet of a list of subjects for teacher and nurse on the pack a lunch. throw out a bag of chocolate bars or candy, which we Clairmont in 1925 as having two hotels, livery barn, blackboard. French was a must for either. He walked never had, and made us so happy. two stores, butcher shop, rooming house and hotel, MacDonald built onto the store, which catered to a lot pool hall, grain elevators, garage, post office, bank, from Grande Prairie every day, didn’t miss a day. Nor of farmers and travellers. We sold chocolate bars, 1918 was the start of the Flu Epidemic. My dad, Joe telephone exchange, also a dray to accept freight. did I; I liked school. I took piano lessons from Mrs. groceries, clothing, etc. from warehouses in Grande Tomshak, was at a farm sale, when Jack Holtom, the Beth Sheehan also describes the hamlet and its people Allan Mercer, riding Walter Rathwell’s pony north Prairie. We kept drugs like aspirin and Zambuck (not auconeer, said, “Joe, have you any garlic [for in “Turn Back the Pages: Clairmont 1908‐1992”. along the track. I paid Mrs. Mercer a “Shin‐ available now), and vanilla and lemon extract under protecon against the flu]?” By the grace of God, he According to reports, a fire in 1925 destroyed a large Plaster” (paper 25 cents) for every lesson. the counter. Those were the days of prohibion, boot‐ had one in his pocket; Jack paid him $1.00 (like part of the hamlet. I went to Grande Prairie for Grade XII, the envy of my leggers, and home‐made brew. Oen we stayed open $30.00 or more today). The fear of the flu was Clairmont friends, because it was so far away. I late to give farmers their mail when they delivered everywhere, but now Jack said, “I’m not afraid, come Aer the railway arrived in Grande Prairie, Clairmont boarded with the Rudolph Cepelas, and dad paid in grain, or when the trains were late, especially in the closer.” did not grow much. It was sll needed by the farmers, and the elevators were busy, both fall and winter, so farm products: meat, eggs, buer, etc. On graduaon winter. This was also the year of the unsolved murders of six MacDonald Store & Post Office had to have the in 1934, I remember geng a new dress from the T. When I sold cigarees I’d put 5 cents in a glass. I men. Dad delivered eggs as usual to the farm of Frank essenals and the Livery Barn and Hotel were sll in Eaton Catalogue, but don’t remember it to be a great didn’t know why unl I read a story in J.P. Parzychowsky, whose wife and family were in the business. Grain was hauled in across the lake from as “to‐do”. Results came from Edmonton and in August MacGregor’s book, about a young clerk waing on States at the me. He saw no one, only the dog far away as Kleskun Hill. we could go to Grande Prairie and re‐write to raise this lady in . An arcle for 60 cents, the clerk barking, so he went back home. Dad said a relave of our marks. I chose to re‐write a couple. Dad let me said, and two cents for Abe [taxes]. The lady said Mrs. Parzychowsky’s, a detecve, came to the My first two years were in Clairmont School, which have the car (no driver’s license needed, although a was a long ways to walk. Oen I’d see several coyotes “What’s your name?” The next day the clerk didn’t Tomshak farm and walked around the slough, singing radio license was needed if you owned a radio). have a job, for the lady had been Mrs. Aberhardt. in a beauful voice. The swans weren’t there at that not far from the road, but I wasn’t afraid because they On my way home, I stopped for the mail. I said to Mr. Postal stamps were 3 cents, and I filled out many me or he wouldn’t have stayed long enough to sing. had lots of rabbits to eat. For the next six years, my brothers and I walked to the top of Mercer Hill, then MacDonald, “I’m finished with my exams.” He said, money orders for T. Eaton and Simpson Sears. 10 (Cont’d on p. 18) 11

that on the siding to the south of the mainline stood At 2.0 km there is a second wide spot (near the two elevators, originally owned by Alberta Pacific current picnic site) where the guard house for the Explore the History of Huallen and the Grain and the United Grain Growers. A stock yard at actual radar domes sat. There were three domes in the grassed area to the north and east. They the west end of the siding completed the rail service Saskatoon Mountain Radar Base facilies. contained detecon, height finding, and range finding radar. By Pat Wearmouth Mountain Trail School The height of land in the northwest corner of the Return to the Highway 43 intersecon and connue clearing, where the domes were situated, was the site north on Range Road 92. Two miles from the highway The “Explore the History” secon of our newsleer economy. Over 100 military personnel and 50 civilians of one of the first forestry lookout towers built in the you will come to the intersecon with Township Road focuses on rural communies that were once more were employed there. About one third of the military South Peace region. It was built in 1942, and gave 720, a road that was part of the Old Edmonton than they are today. In an age of urbanizaon and staff lived on the base, with the rest residing in excellent views for the detecon of forest and brush Highway to Fort St. John. On the northwest corner of centralizaon, it is easy to forget that the history of surrounding communies. fires. The tower was removed when the radar base this juncon, you will see the remains of the the South Peace Region is found in these smaller was constructed, a bit of a loss, as the viewshed was Along the road between the two selements stands Mountain Trail School. The school operated from places. Selers arriving throughout the first half of difficult to replace with subsequent fire towers. an old log building that preceded both. This was the 1921 unl 1945, when students began travelling west the last century seled largely in the countryside. Mountain Trail School. to Beaverlodge. Like most schools of the era, the Before leaving the Mountain, take in the view from They made their living farming the soil or working building was used for social acvites as well as the viewpoint just northwest of the main guard house with other natural resources the region offered. Huallen educaon, and the building connued to serve this site. On a clear day, the Rocky Mountains can be seen Distance, me, and poor roads were oen obstacles Driving west from Grande Prairie and Wembley on fucnon for a bit longer. Once the school closed, the about 80 km distant. to travel so, once arrived, people tended to work and Highway 43, you will come to Range Road 92. Turn students traveled to Beaverlodge School by a canvas‐ play locally. As transportaon improved, services Saskatoon Mountain is an outlier of Alberta’s Rocky le off the highway and proceed a short distance covered box on a 1927 truck. It was supplied with a centralized. The small communies began to fade Mountain foothills. Rising 150 metres above the south unl just before the railway crossing where you small wood heater to keep the children warm. The and became distant, but perhaps fond, memories. surrounding countryside, its geography creates a will see a road going west. This intersecon is the stove‐pipe protruding through the canvas caused a foothills environment, with a cooler and weer In this issue, we explore an area west of Grande southeast corner of Huallen. Turn west and follow the fire more than once. climate. This in turn leads to plant life representave Prairie which contains two selements with very road past the various locaons of buildings shown on Saskatoon Mountain Radar Base of the foothills rather than the prairie/parkland different histories and reasons for exisng. the map. The buildings or their replacements are now below. private residences. Connue north up Saskatoon Mountain. At the top of The first is Huallen, a small selement that was the hill you will come to a T‐intersecon. To your The Mountain has been important to humans for a originally an agricultural supply and shipping point on Huallen provided supply, shipping, and recreaonal right is a clearing which used to contain the very long me. It was the site of the earliest known the Railway (now CNR). Established services to the surrounding rural community. At one communicaons building for the Base. Turn le on human habitaon in northern Alberta. Archeological in 1928, it was named aer an early seler in the me it contained a community hall, a curling rink, the pavement and proceed west. The Base, known by surveys have shown that temporary hunng camps, area, Hugh Allen. Allen farmed, was acve in several hockey rink, baseball diamond, tennis court, and various names (Trumpeter, CFB Beaverlodge, no doubt to spot game below, existed 9000 years ago. agricultural organizaons, and was elected and athlec club. Saskatoon Mountain Radar Base, or simply the Base) served in the Provincial Government. Arriving European selers began almost immediately While proceeding to the west, an interesng thing to was down this road. to cut firewood, hunt, and picnic on the Mountain. The second selement was a Canadian Forces Radar note is the site where sat the community hall. Look At 0.6 km, a trail on the right leads to the former Base Perhaps you are here today, connuing the use of this Base, which was situated on top of Saskatoon closely at the front of the mobile home which storage yard and rifle range. At 1.5 km, the road unique topographical feature of the Region. Mountain. The site contained radar domes and occupies the site now, and note the hardwood floor widens and indicates the site of the main guard house support facilies, as well as housing and service of the hall which is sll in use as a porch floor. for the Base. You will have just passed a road into a buildings. At the end of this short road is the former Huallen new radar dome site which is operated by Transport Resources: Beaverlodge to the Rockies The Base, which operated between 1953 and 1988, store. The store started as a tent in the very early Canada for current air traffic. At the wide spot, look Saskatoon Mountain: A Discovery Guide was part of the Pinetree Line, a series of radar sites days and operated unl 1974. The store not only to the right and note a large grassed area screened by By Margo Hervieux that stretched across the middle of Canada. The provided a full range of merchandise, but also served a row of spruce trees. This area contained the Airforce photographer, Chris Charland Pinetree Line was built to counter the threat of Soviet as a bank for cashing grain cheques. housing, power plant, maintenance buildings, and Personal interviews with Mr. Rotar and intrusions into North American airspace during the recreaonal facilies that supported the operaon. Mrs. Pat Jacobs Across the road from the store, on the railway right Cold War. This site was also important to the local of way, was a small railway staon. To the east of 12 13

Above, the Saskatoon Mountain Air Base ca. 1960, taken by Airforce Photographer Chris Charland. Used by permission. Explore Huallen & the Saskatoon Mtn. Air Base

Resources: Alberta Registries Survey plans & township maps Pine Tree Line website Personal Interviews with Mr. Rotar & Pat Jacobs

Huallen Elevators and Rotar’s Store in 1977, SPRA 002.05.02.94, Beth Sheehan fonds

14 15

100th Anniversary of Memories of Gimle

World War I: School by Mary Dever

The Buck Brothers Aer we le Beaverlodge we moved to the farm at Albright. Our neighbours were The Gudluagsons, the Eastmans, Mr. Evere Waddell, and the Huerschers. Charles and Arthur Buck, from Herordshire, England, Our house was at the end of a long dirt road and was emigrated to Canada in 1910, when they were 24 and situated on the bank of the Beaverlodge River. It was 22 years of age, respecvely. They filed on land in the known as the Houde Place. At the me it seemed like a Lake Saskatoon district, calling their homestead Poplar Grove big house to us. There was a large kitchen, living room, Farm. storage room and pantry. Upstairs had two large bedrooms and a small one. When World War I began in 1914, recruitment drives and patrioc speeches convinced many of the young homesteaders At night we went to sleep listening to the coyotes howling, to join up. Charles signed up with the Brish Military, 2nd King and squirrels running across the roof. I loved those Edward Horse, and Arthur enlisted in the 49th Baalion of the sounds. I slept in a large bed with two sisters, two other Canadian Infantry, the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. sisters slept in a bed beside us. Our brother Joe had the small bed to himself. The 49th Baalion was soon fighng in France. Arthur died in the Bale of Passchendaele on November 1, 1917 and is Electricity and phone lines were not available in the rural buried in Poperinghe, Belgium. Charles was gassed districts then. Coal oil lights and wood stoves were the during the war and although ill, managed to return to norm for us and our neighbours. Poplar Grove Farm in the summer of 1918, with his In 1953, when we started aending Gimle school in grade English War Bride, a nurse named 'Cis'. He died 6, my brother and I rode horse back. Our horse was March 4, 1920 as a result of his war sickness and is named June and we were so proud of her. She was very Above, three versions of Gimle School: Top: the original buried in the small cemetery behind St. Andrews spirited and the neighbour kids were afraid of her. This Anglican Church on the west side of Lake Saskatoon. Gimle School, built west of Albright in 1919 (2008.79.05). made me love her even more. The school was approx. 2 Middle: the log school, now with a plaster coang, and Neither Arthur nor Charles had any descendants, but 1/2 miles away and was much too far to ride in cold Miss Robson's silver cup gym class with Jack Hommy, in 2010, a niece from England donated a collecon of weather. A good part of the winter we walked and also Johnny Hommy, Dawn Hommy, Phyllis Larsen, Milton their photographs to SPRA. They document the Buck when it was too icy for June. There was a barn at the Hommy, Gwen Hommy, Dennis Dick, Jack Hersher, Francis brothers homestead acvies, their cabin inside and school for the horses during the school day. The classes Sexton, and Wayne Hommy. (388.01.10). The Boom out, and their baalion during the war. These can be were from 9:30‐3:30 and there were less then 20 students photo is of the new Gimle School ca. 1950 (063.02.33.1). from grade 1‐9. seen on www.southpeacearchives.org/charles‐and‐ carry the bucket of drinking water from his arthur‐buck/. Our teacher was Mrs. Connie Kerr. She was a local lady house to the school for the students each day. Photographs, from top to boom, show: Homestead and drove to the school with a team of horses. The older At some point the school board became of Charles and Arthur Buck (298.06); "Interior of my boys would put the team in the barn for her when she concerned about the students walking to school mansion." (298.04) ; a patrioc picnic (298.28); arrived at school. Postcard inscribed, "26th February, 1915, Woodbridge because of an outbreak of rabies in the wildlife. (Suffolk, England) My dear Edith, Sorry I could not get The boy who lived closest to the school—Raymond The soluon recommended was that students away today owing to some of our fellows being sick. Tscheer—came to the school early to light the wood carry guns to and from school! Cannot get away unl next week, will wire. Love heater to thaw the building out in winter before the rest No rabid animals were ever encountered on our Charlie". Charles is believed to be the tall man 3rd of us arrived. In the winter we were usually quite chilled travels. from 16 the right in the back row.(298.33) by the me we arrived. Another one of his jobs was to 17

(Cont’d from p. 11) beer bole, and put on large Mr. MacDonald managed the Clairmont brown nipple. We had a hockey team and also curled. The mail separator and sold milk to came twice a week, in from Edmonton at Redwoods and Harts. There noon and back at midnight from Dawson was a lot of cream, so we Creek. When the postmaster was away, churned buer, and had it was my duty, even at midnight. chickens, so we sold eggs. I sll have a chair which I Pat Croken’s hockey trophy, the P.V. received in payment. We had Croken Cup, was above the door with a big garden, as everyone did two others, and it was my job to polish in those days. It was Rudy’s it. Lile did I know that would be my pride and joy, a relaxing job name. Arnold Chrise, superintendent of aer the elevator. George United Grain Growers, offered Rudy Vogt, who owned a butcher Croken a job on Pat’s request, so he shop in Grande Prairie, had a came up from PEI, where jobs were hard big freezer where we rented to get, in 1934. At that me, UGG sold a box to store moose meat or binder twine to be used for bundles. In whatever as many farmers the evenings Rudy would deliver to the did. The keys all hung farmers and he’d offer me rides. I don’t together, everyone trusng know what Dad did with so much that you would only take twine—it was a “Binder Twine your own. Romance”. The 1937 Clairmont hockey team: Allan Clark, Reg Ireland, Dave Turner, Gordon Forbes, We were more or less shut‐in Marion Fisher, Lachlan MacDonald (coach), Howard Anderson, Frank Durda, Bud We married in June 1937 and had a big for the winter. On summer wedding outside. The caterers, from evenings we would drive to Clairmont, were the fellows who sold Grande Prairie, park angle‐wise, and visit in cars or garden, and no one locked their doors or worried “Low‐Heat Stainless Steel Ware”. I sll cafés, shop, or go to the theatre. We were blessed to about it. have a small pot in use from them. The have Gertrude Charters as the editor of the Herald I was working as a receponist at the York Hotel for wedding cake was made by Marvin’s Tribune. She was the first elected alderwoman and a Elmer Logan and helping Joe and Eva Benoit at the Café. We baked more cakes and before great promoter of the Peace Country. She made the Cigar Stand. Because of the boom, there were lots of the wedding, I helped ice them, then plight of the Trumpeter Swan known in Canada, the surveyors staying at the hotel. Over the phone I would went to Grande Prairie to get my hair USA, and England. take down measurements of depth, etc. though I done. We also made a trip to Grande didn’t have a clue what it was all about. Prairie for beer because it was a hot day. Rudy had 20 years with UGG, then his lungs decided Allan Clarke of Peace River dropped a to quit because of the dust. His next job was with Terry and Joyce Tomshak sll live on the homestead gi from a plane, and in the evening we Lloyd Moore Lumber, and with this connecon we in the big white house. Albert, who lived next door, had Jack Penson’s band playing on a flat were able to build a house on 101 Street and 105 was County Reeve for three terms, and moved to rack truck in the middle of Clairmont. Avenue, across from Sheridan’s Well, in 1954. That Grande Prairie about 2008. His daughter Donna and Because of the 1925 fire, there was lots November there was mud up to your knees. John A. Daryl Beeston moved into his house and now Daryl is of room. [former Councillor Croken] and Denis carried water a County Councillor. Homes are being built around from the well for 5 cents a pail. Everyone was building them; Clairmont is extending north. Dad gave us a cow, which was a blessing during the post‐war boom. We had to have plumbing, as there was no fridge. When Gene and From top to boom: Rudy and Gene Croken with the family cow, sheep and water and gas, which had just been turned on in 1953. Bey needed milk, day or night, we I had a hard me deciding on a gas or electric stove‐‐ chickens ca 1940 (112.02.31), the Croken home in Clairmont , ca. 1945, would run out and milk the cow into a gas was cheaper. Everyone had a clothes line and (112.02.32), and geng the garden ready for planng, ca. 1950 (112.02.33). 18 19

aendance records and any sickness that may What Archives Do and Why We Do It have closed the school for a me. Sports clubs – There were many sports teams by Genealogist Patricia Greber and clubs in the Peace Country and informaon included can be team lists, photographs, and results from events aended. Here are a few of Subtled: A Genealogist in the what the Archives has on hand: Wheat Belt Archives Baseball League fonds 488, Beaver Hockey League fonds 488, and Peace Ladies Curling As a genealogist I am becoming more Assoc. fonds 35. and more familiar with what the Archives has on hand for me and my Newspapers – A great resource that the own research. Archives uses quite a bit is the newspaper. The Grande Prairie Herald 1913‐1948 is available on‐ My husband’s great grandfather, line through the Our Future Our Past website Aubrey Hawkesworth, was one of the hp://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/newspaper/. early selers to the Peace Country Here you can find numerous arcles about and a great person to research at the Above, Aubrey Hawkesworth (fih from right events and people in the area. I thought it was too bad that standing) as a member of the first County Council Archives. Here are some of the things there was not an early paper for the Hythe area but the in 1951 (SPRA 063.06.02.01), from the County of that the archives has that can help smaller communies were regularly covered in the Herald. Grande Prairie fonds; and below Aubrey (on the any person that is doing family right) with Jim DeRolls at a well site on June 20, research. Local Government – Aubrey was one of the first county 1969. This photo was taken by Irene Cook and is councillors and I was hoping to find a record of him in this part of the Donna Shail collecon of Hythe history Organizaons ‐ Aubrey walked over capacity. Sure enough, the Archives has a photograph of recently donated to SPRA. the Edson Trail in 1913, so qualified him and other councillors that we did not have. for the Oldmers’ designaon. This in turn qualifies his descendants to be The Community – Other people in the Oldmers as well. The Oldmers have community may have records of your family. donated their records to the Archives Social events such as dances, picnics, and Aubrey is one of the early barbeques, sports days, and rodeos. Taking the members. In the Oldmers collecon me to check the collecons of other there are membership records, community members who may have donated stories, guest books and minutes, their records could result in success. which can also be researched for In doing this research I discovered it was 100 further menon of family members. years ago this year that Aubrey Hawkesworth There are many types of homesteaded on SW 28‐73‐11 W6 in 1914. His organizaons such as church groups homesteading story has not been documented and cra clubs that have also in the records, which has now prompted me to donated their records, Your ancestor could have This arcle from the May 18, 1928 Herald Tribune, is one of get his story wrien down. And of course once I belonged to any of these. It would be worthwhile to the many arcles that can be found on the Hawkesworth have gathered all the informaon I will be family. It is interesng to note how many names are in one find out what organizaons were in existence in donang a copy to the Archives! short arcle. Maybe this pracce sold lots of papers. your ancestor’s community and see if they are I am very thankful that there is an Archives in included in any of the records. These school records have not been donated to the Grande Prairie collecng informaon on the School ‐ Aubrey seled in the Hythe area and sent Archives, but many have. Informaon found in the Peace Country for genealogists like me! his children to Happy Valley and Glass Lake Schools. school records vary, but can include teachers’ names, 20 21

New Friends Society Heritage Plaques & Reader Response: Remembering the for SPRA Walking Tour Alaska Music Trail

Heritage Plaques, sponsored by the Peace Country Margaret Bowes Historical Society for Grande Prairie’s 100th My mother, Jeanne O’Brien was acve with the Anniversary, are now in place as a permanent Alaska Music Trails from the me it started ll it reminder of our history. As well, there are temporary ended. Clem & Muriel Collins and Walter Kujath, enlargements of the historical photographs in the principle of the Grande Prairie High School, were also windows of about 50 downtown businesses, and a involved. The concerts were in the High School guidebook called “Memory Lane”. These guidebooks Auditorium, just chairs set up in the gym, but the are available at SPRA and many of the businesses concerts were excellent. They went on for many where the photographs are posted. Two examples of years—probably about 20 years—aended by people the Heritage Plaques, courtesy of Daryl White, PCHS with season’s memberships. They stopped when President, can be seen below. aendance began to dwindle, and aer a me the Peace Country Overture Concert organizaon was formed. A new Friends group has been formed for SPRA! We are very fortunate to have Mr. Charlie Penson as the Kathryn Auger President of the society; he will be assisted by Kevin O’Toole, Vice President; Karen Burgess, Secretary; I remember the Alaska Music Trail concerts from the and Jeff Nung, Treasurer. me I was in high school, so would be around 1959 to 1961. At that me the concerts were in the gym of Charlie says, “I’ve been encouraged by the number of the Grande Prairie High School. I don't remember collecons coming in, to know that the history of the going to the evening performances, but they used to south Peace is being preserved. I also recognize that have a short program in the early aernoon for the the connued growth means that we will soon be students. You paid $1.00, I think, and it was oponal. bursng at the seams. This impresses on me the need Mrs. O'Brien was the accompaniest for some of the for a larger facility for the Archives.” singers at those aernoon concerts. I remember Kaye For more informaon about how you can be involved Allen doing it at least once that I can think of. with the Friends of South Peace Regional Archives, One arst I remember for some reason, was a violinist please contact Charlie Penson at (780) 539‐9029 named Thomas Ralston. I have a vague feeling that We hope to have some news from the Friends in his wife performed with him, but I’m not sure about each newsleer, so keep an eye on this space. that, also that he was from Edmonton. I looked him up, and he had been with the Edmonton Symphony

Orchestra from 1958 to 1964, so that memory makes sense. The only other thing I remember was that a lot of people came to the concerts from outside of

Grande Prairie. There were quite a few who came from Beaverlodge. That's all I remember!

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Clayton Greber also has a long history in Photo Contest Beth Sheehan SPRA the Hythe area through the Answers Hawkesworth, Award, 2014 Hodgson, Gass and Greber families. The answers to the photo contest in the March At the SPRA Annual Newsleer, in order of answer, are as follows: General Meeng on When Clayton’s wife, March 16th, the Beth Patricia Greber, began 11 IGA Foodliner Sheehan SPRA Award working at the 20 1952 Grande Prairie High School went to Donna Shail Archives in 2013, he 4 NAR Railway Staon and Clayton Greber was immediately 8 Grande Prairie & District Co‐op for preserving the interested. He took 9 Windsor Ford Ltd. history of Hythe. the newsleer to 6 Provincial Building work with him, asked Donna (Bain) Shail 19 1929 Grande Prairie High School for more copies, and passed them around the coffee was born in Hythe, 13 RCMP Barracks/Granco Real Estate shop. and except for 10 3 Old Immigraon Hall (an apt in 1968) months in 1971, has His next step was to bring in records relang to his 16 Grande Prairie Court House lived her enre life in families of origin: land records from Lea Fulton 18 Montrose Junior High School that community. She Hodgson, a photo album from Sophie Gass, the World 7 ALCB Liquor Store volunteered for many War II documents of Tom Gass, a scrapbook created 2 Central Park Lodge orgnizaons in Hythe, including the Hythe Museum by Edna Greber, school photographs from Hythe 14 County Administraon Office and Informaon Booth. School classes, and 47 issues of the Hythe Headliner. 15 Royal Canadian Legion Hall 12 Presbyterian Church Because of her interest in her home town, Donna Back on the farm which he sll owns, Clayton 17 Montrose Elementary School collected and compiled scrapbooks about the history emped his grandfather’s desk and found records 1 County High School Dorm of Hythe. These scrapbooks contain photographs, from the Hodgson/Gass Lumber Co., and from the 5 Warehouse by the tracks (Marshall Wells ?) stories, paper arfacts, and news clippings covering HOP (Hodgson, Oakford and Pearson) Development 10 Grande Prairie Public Library the history of Hythe from the me it was established Co. when they developed One Island Lake in 1955‐ as a townsite on the NAR railway in 1929 into the 1966. Thanks for parcipang and my apologies for a couple of 21st Century. She donated these scrapbooks to SPRA Archival records are not the easiest concept to confusing elements. I mis‐idenfied number 3 on the through Clayton Greber in 2013. With them came an understand and SPRA staff were amazed at how photo as the Old Immigraon Hall, but the Hall, Suzanne album of people and buildings in Hythe ca. 1970‐ Clayton insncvely knew what was important and Dunn pointed out, was on the same block as the Grande 2000, and albums of photographs from the Hythe how to get it here, where it can be preserved and Prairie Co‐op. Also, your photo may have had some Homecoming in 1978, the Hythe Golden Age Cra shared with other researchers. We thank Clayton for scrambled numbers—a few of the newsleers were Centre in 1981, and Celebrate Hythe in 1989. There talking about Archives to fellow workers, and for printed on a different computer which changed the font. were also two scrapbooks of memorial cards that tell bringing records in when he found them. Hope you had fun and some good memories anyways. us about the people who lived in Hythe. Before Donna and Clayton became involved with This is an amazing collecon that really tells the story SPRA, we had very lile original documentaon on of Hythe. We thank Donna for her dedicaon to Hythe. Thanks to them, we have now have a full The arcle on the le is from the May 18, 1928 Grande Prairie Hythe and its history. Herald. It was submied by Kathryn Auger, who does our “This history which can be preserved and shared with Week in History” blog on our website. I used it because I researchers. especially liked the tle, which gives an air of excitement to life in Clairmont in 1928. 24 25

New at the Archives New! Newsleer by Email South Peace Regional Archives Society Would you enjoy reading this newsleer on Membership Applicaon/Renewal Form Thank You Donors! your computer rather than having one more

The collecons at SPRA have all been donated by item to recycle? The benefit is that you get to individuals, organizaons, and municipal read it in colour! If yes, send an email to Date: ______governments. You are our only resource for the [email protected] and ask to be put on the email Name: ______preservaon of the history of the south Peace. Here subscripon list rather than on the oridinary are a few of our recent donaons. mailing list and save the Archives $8.00 per Address: ______Harris family fonds; Beaverlodge Adverser year. Mulply that by 100 members and it Postal Code: ______Phone: ______Jean Gray Smith would be $800. Hmm… E‐mail: ______J.O. Watson fonds David Watson The Perfect Introducon Interested in being involved as a: ______volunteer ______board member Paul Pivert fonds, Panda Camera accrual If you hear someone say: My family has a long Paulee Hrychiw history in this area, but their house burned down and all the records were lost. So our history is gone. There are two types of membership: Bezanson Community Blooms fonds Irene Gitzel You can say: There are lots of archival records which Full membership‐‐get involved in the society, aend meengs, vote on issues and run for office. show the history of families, such as school records, census records, and the organizaons they may have Associate membership‐‐receive communicaons (like this newsleer) to stay informed about Billy Salmond photographs issues and happenings at the Archives. Ken & Margaret Head belonged to. Why not phone the archives? They can help you look for your family history in newspaper Charlie Turner fonds accrual arcles, community stories, photographs, and other Suzanne Dunn archival records. This membership is ______new ______renewal Full Membership Aquarian Swim Club fonds Are You Enjoying This Newsleer? $20.00/person or $30.00/couple ______Ryan O’Toole Would you like to receive it mailed to your home four Associate Member Puskwaskau Homestead records mes a year? It’s free when you are a member of the $15.00/person ______Norman & Margaret Dyck South Peace Regional Archives Society. See the Membership Form on the back of the newsleer. You I wish to donate to the Art Cra Studio photos by Rex Harper can also give memberships as gis to friends or South Peace Regional Archives ______Albert & Laraine Rohne family. Total Membership and Donaon ______

Submissions to this Newsleer South Peace Regional Archives Please pay by cash or cheque to is funded by SPRA Society encourages submissions in the form of South Peace Regional Archives Society City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, MD stories, poems, memories, leers and photographs. Box 687, Grande Prairie, AB. T8V 3A8 of Greenview, MD of Spirit River Do you have a story, or does someone you know Phone: 780‐830‐5105 grants from the Archives Society have a story about the past in the south Peace? and the Province of Alberta Submit it to us by mail or e‐mail, or call us at Fax: 780‐831‐7371 and donaons from people like you! 780‐830‐5105. E‐mail: [email protected] 26 27

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