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Inside This Issue: Take Note Take Note Announcements p. 3 Le er from the Editor p. 4 Contact Informa on p. 4 Friends of SPRA First Annual Fundraiser p. 5 Proposal for a New Archives p. 6‐7 Fundraiser South Wapi collec on p. 8‐9 Saturday, October 11, 2014 (see page 5) The “Chicken Coop” Schools By Phyllis Stewart p. 10‐11 Film & Story Tea Explore the History of DeBolt –Ridgevalley p. 12‐15 Sunday, October 5, 2014 World War I, William Noll Diary p. 16 From 2:00‐4:00 p.m. Grande Prairie River Rats Associa on p. 17 At the Grande Prairie Golden Age Center By Dorman Ditch 10222‐101 Avenue, Grande Prairie Sargent Family Photographs p. 18‐19 Mourning St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Rio Grande Featuring Vintage 16 mm Film from 1981 “Grande Prairie, A Way of Life” By Astride Wenigeren‐Nova p. 20‐21 Shown courtesy of Ken Jubenvill Memories of Not So Long Ago
By Chris ne Dyck p. 21‐22 Also Storytellers on the Funny Side of Poli cs and Kathryn’s Picks p. 22 Government Services What Archives Do and Why We Do It And a display of Archival Photographs by Leslie Gordon p. 23‐25
New at the Archives p. 26
New in the Archives Library
The Perfect Introduc on p. 26 Membership Applica on Form p. 27 Sponsored by the City of Grande Prairie 100th Anniversary
On the Front Cover: From the Sargent Family fonds, Commi ee Morrison & Sargent's truck in front of the Hudson's Bay Company store at Sturgeon Lake. The label on the front of Admission is Free the photo says, "Freigh ng into Hudson's Bay Store." (SPRA 2013.086.26) For more images from the Sargent Family photograph collec on, see pp. 18‐19. 3
September 1, 2014 TELLING OUR STORIES Dear Members and Supporters; Fall Supper Planned! PUBLISHED BY To this, our 20th issue of “Telling Our Stories,” we welcome a new readership—members in the new South Peace Regional Archives Society Friends of South Peace Regional Archives Society. Friends, please consider this your voice as well as PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT ours, and feel free to suggest topics and make Lane Borstad Gord Mackey submissions. This issue has two themes: the Municipal District of SECRETARY TREASURER Greenview, our featured municipality, and the need Jan Shields Gail Pre e for a larger facility for the Archives. PAST PRESIDENT I feel I should apologize to the greater part of Irene Nicolson Greenview; for the second me in featuring this
municipal district, it is mostly about the area around DeBolt. I do like to use the material that our readers DIRECTORS submit and so I thank Phyllis Stewart, Fran Moore, Rory Tarant, City of Grande Prairie Norm Dyck, Sean Sargent and Bunny Schenk for the Peter Harris, County of Grande Prairie material they donated or wrote for us. In the future Roxie Ru , M.D. of Greenview I hope we will see more submissions from other Stan Bzowy, M.D. of Spirit River parts of Greenview and be able to feature them. Douglas Fra ni, Director As for the new Archives—we have tried to Beth Sande, Director demonstrate why we need a new facility and what Daryl White, Director Who? Friends of the South Peace Regional Archives Society it would contain (p. 23‐25), included our proposal to Eleanor Dalen Whitling, Director re‐create the old Montrose School (p. 6‐7), and When? Doors Open 6:00 p.m., Saturday, October 11th, 2014 adver sed our first fundraiser (p. 5). MAILING ADDRESS (yes, we know that’s Thanksgiving Weekend—this could be your Thanksgiving!) The me has come to start raising funds for a new South Peace Regional Archives Archives. In order for this project to be supported Box 687, Grande Prairie, AB Where? The Grande Prairie Elks Hall at 10806‐106th Street by the various levels of government, we need to T8V 3A8 demonstrate public support, and so we truly hope What? A Fall Supper and Some Good Fun you will take part. Telephone: 780‐830‐5105 We offer you delicious food, hilarious entertainment, exquisite silent auc on items, historic Tickets are $100/plate, but you get a tax receipt for E‐mail: [email protected] décor, a cozy atmosphere for visi ng, and the opportunity to support a New Archives Facility the amount above the cost, which is about $35.00/ www.southpeacearchives.org (see over page) plate (so a tax receipt for $65.00/plate). There are only 160 ckets available and 50 are already gone. If Tickets @ $100/person or Purchase a Whole Table (10 Seats) for your Friends you want ckets, or a whole table (10 seats) for you and your friends, let me know ASAP so that I can Our Vision: Preserving and Sharing the Past. Call the Archives (780) 830‐5105 or email [email protected] Our Mission: The purpose of South Peace Regional reserve those for you. Why? To Build Awareness for Friends of the Archives and Kickstart the Fund! Archives is to gather, preserve, and share the Thank you for being faithful supporters and readers of this newsle er over the past five years. historical records of municipali es, organiza ons, Theme: 100 Years of Our History businesses, families and individuals within the region, Sincerely, Mary Nu ng, Editor both now and in the future. Historic Dress is Encouraged—It’s All Part of the Fun! 4 5
Proposal for a New Archives Facility
In June 2014, the SPRA Board and the Friends of SPRA submi ed a proposal to City Council and Administra on for a site near the Montrose Cultural Centre where our Society would reconstruct a replica of the old Montrose School to serve as an Archives building. The building would ideally be placed close to its original posi on on the corner of 101 Avenue and Above, Ar st’s rendering of the proposed 99 Street and near the 1929 Grande building, 2014. (By Lane Borstad) Prairie High School (now the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie). Montrose School, designed by Charles Spencer, was built in 1917 on a por on of Le , V‐E Day Parade, May 8, 1945 with CGIT, Rev. Alexander Forbes’ homestead and Cubs, Scouts, and others assembling behind named for Mrs. Forbes’ hometown in Montrose School. (SPRA 399.11.27) Scotland. The school had four classrooms Above: Montrose and a library and cost about $8,000 to School under build. The addi on, essen ally doubling construc on, July 31, Below, Grande Prairie’s tennis courts across its size, was constructed in 1922 for 1917. (SPRA 024.01.08.04) from Montrose School, [ca. 1940]. (SPRA approximately $15,000. Reports of the 2014.024.02) day claimed it was the largest building north of Edmonton. Now the school boasted eight classrooms (elementary to high school), a science lab, a library, and an assembly hall. The School eventually became an elementary‐only school and con nued opera ng un l about 1970, by which me the 1929 High School and Montrose Junior High School were already located on the same site. The old school building Right: Students and was finally demolished in about 1972. teachers on the front steps of Montrose School on the first day, November 26, 1917. (SPRA 2001.01.110)
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Students from South Wapi School on horseback in the Featured fonds: South Wapi Collec on school yard. L‐R: Irene and Gladys Ryan, Joan Ellio , Irene and Doug Van Schaick, Walter and Bob Ryan, May and Ruth Ryan, Patricia Van Schaick, Muriel Sutherland, Editor’s Note: Most of the fonds we feature in this goods and services they needed. The store and post Michael and Gerald Ryan. sec on of the newsle er are large collec ons with office were the first to close, with the school (SPRA 255.02) documents and photographs. This is a small following in 1962 and the hall around 1964. collec on—only 15 photographs—but it tells the story The photographs were preserved by Melba (Bunny) of the South Wapi Community. Day Schenk, daughter of Ted Day and grand‐daughter South Wapi collec on. — 1943‐1976. —15 of Olaf Berg. They were deposited with South Peace photographs. Regional Archives in 2006.
The South Wapi area centered on Township 79, The Day family arrived in South Wapi in 1942 to take Mr. Day with wagon and Range 8, West of the 6th meridian. It was opened for over the farm from Grandfather Olaf Berg. They horses in the home farmyard. agriculture in the early 1930s, with se lers crossing travelled from Flin Flon, Manitoba, to Wembley, then The house was built by Ole the Wapi River by boat at Pipestone Creek. A post south over the Wapi River at Pipestone Creek. The Berg in the 1930s. George office was started in Mr. Riggs’ house, and soon there children went to South Wapi School. and Leola Day are in the was a ferry over the river. The first community wagon and Bunny Day is in The collec on consists of 15 photographs of the building was the South Wapi School (District No. the doorway. (SPRA 255.04) families who lived in or around South Wapi , 4623), built in 1935. It was the mee ng center for including the South Wapi School children, Olaf Berg, clubs, organiza ons, and church as well as the school. the Day, Osborne, McCullough and Ryan families, When the Riggs le in 1940, Archie Gerow took over transporta on photos including horses, wagons and the post office and added a small store. In 1952, a hall cars. There is also a photo of the McCullough sawmill was built on Ted Day's quarter, SE 17‐69‐8‐W6, which and "The Bee Man" from the Beaverlodge Research became a venue for wedding dances and community Sta on giving a demonstra on on bee keeping for the events. As transporta on became easier, the se lers South Wapi Community. could go to Grovedale or Pipestone Creek for the
A group of South Wapi residents listen to a demonstra on on bee keeping given by men from the Beaverlodge
experimental sta on. (SPRA 255.08)
George Hedley Day (Ted), his wife Anna, daughter Melba (Bunny) and Grandpa Berg beside their car at South Wapi . (SPRA 255.06) 8 9
problems. Though they were put on cement founda ons each one se led unequally. Chicken Coop Schools Leaks were common problems on the By Phyllis Stewart hallway sides where allowance had to be made for rain and snow to drain away. Balls found their way to get caught up there wai ng for rescue by the caretaker. Editor’s note: Phyllis Stewart was a long‐ me teacher which to offer in the East Smoky School Division. This ar cle is about lessons. The The joined schools lasted 20 years and the the “Chicken Coop” Schools which were built in that government’s service of single rooms prior to the move area to address the need for be er school buildings offer of $50.00 saved money too. Once the closure of the for school districts which would soon be centralized. startup allowance joined schools happened, single rooms towards the birth reverted to loner status and were sold to J.R. Stan Hambly was hired as Superintendent of local people to become other buildings used Schools for Grande Prairie School Division #14 in the of a country school required in other ways. fall of 1947 to replace C.B. Johnson. Under some Above, the “chicken coop” school at Rivertop School district much from Edson Trail School at DeBolt was an example of this previous arrangement he also served in a similar role on the west side of the Smoky River. (SPRA 2009.23.15) for what was called East Smoky School Division #54. parents in taxes kind of school. It was its own school, as was each (which few could classroom even as a six room school. A module was Where the peak of the roof was the high half of the One room schools were not as numerous east of the afford), volunteer added to extend its use one more year. It closed in Smoky River as in the Grande Prairie Division since a labour and school, windows were installed to allow for East Smoky School, a typical “chicken 1972. greater area of land west of the Smoky had been dona ons from ven la on above classroom level, smaller in size but coop” school in the East Smoky School se led years ahead. local saw mills. able to be opened at the top with a long‐handled tool. What remains now is the gym, office area, and the Division. Photo courtesy of Irene Riding. Larger windows were on the shorter side of the well. It has power and a phone and a cement floor, Roads and weather did not help the school By the early classrooms. having been used for trucking storage. It was offered “inspectors” to carry out their jobs: the annual visit to 1950s, many farmers did not want to board a teacher, for sale a few years ago for $167,000 at a me when There were two doors, one at one end of the each center of learning, but they did their work so at the same me as a district required renovated most small acreages (3‐10 acres) of former school classroom for entry, with a cloak room, as well as thoroughly, signing each school register when they buildings for schools, there was a need for bigger districts were returned to their original quarter supply and library shelves. The other was a smaller paid their visit, filing a report on the opera on of the horse barns, teacherages, and the almost annual need sec on for $1.00. school and its teacher. to move or build two outdoor toilets. door at the opposite end convenient for a caretaker to bring in a load of wood, coal or water supply. A copy of the report (to which the teacher had no The solu on was “Chicken coop schools” which would input) included the good and bad, sugges ons for serve as individual classrooms in a consolidated Before the school was moved, the caretaker was improvement, cri cism of the opera on, the school. I had never seen them in any other area. The the teacher or a student, but following ac vi es, the buildings and the supplies. O en the chicken‐coop school (an endearing name given to a consolida on a caretaker o en came during report was equally hard on the employer as well. very prac cal solu on) was the brain‐child of J.R. class me to replenish supplies. In the years following the end of World War II, the Hambly, an answer to the needs of the day and vision The consolida on of these schools and state the schools were in showed how money and for the many tomorrows. consequent bussing of students some mes manpower had gone toward the war effort with Mr. Hambly would have understood the poverty of happened only one year a er a new school was educa on le needy and una ended in many ways. this country as well as the determina on to get built. Put together, the two high sides of the Buildings were run down, classes were o en educa on for the children. He sensed that as new individual schools faced each other and between correspondence lessons supervised by teenaged girls districts sprouted with their needs, other areas were the classrooms there was a long hallway. with only grade 8 or 9 for qualifica ons. closing schools, consolida ng classes and finding ways When six or eight of these one rooms were fi ed The original schools had o en been any available to transport students. together there usually followed a gymnasium, shed, barn or homestead residence, whatever a 4 mile The new schools were elongated, wide granaries with office spaces and washrooms. Running water, power and phones were also installed. Valhalla School ca. 1950, with two “chicken coops” put together. In by 4 mile school district could manage, renovate, only half of the building completed. Mills were now 1956 a new six‐room school was built for the consolidated school in modernize, or replace so that it was sufficient in planing lumber, and carpenters were more exac ng. Moves and consolida on were not without their Valhalla. (SPRA 063.02.100.3) 10 11
where it was renamed the Edson Trail School because Ridgevalley that was moved into the area and was in of its loca on. opera on un l 1971. Next to it is the house that was Explore the History of DeBolt‐Crooked Creek home to the telephone centre un l the late 1960's. Pick up the “Old Highway” again by turning north By Fran Moore and Mary Nu ng a er Highway 43 curves south, then east at the T South of the hamlet was the Ridgevalley Co‐op intersec on. To the north is Altenhof Lake, the best Cheese Factory, about where the Rosedale Chris an source for cu ng winter ice to stock the summer ice School is now. The cheese factory was built in the The “Explore the History” sec on of our newsle er The sawmill was on the Edson Trail, as were the houses. This road once angled south‐east, but now 1930s and operated well into the 1940’s. Members of focuses on rural communi es that were once more homes of the DeBolt brothers who arrived in 1919. leads straight south to Twp Road 720, which we will the Mennonite community were busy in many than what they are today. In this age of increasing Elbert & Laura had the DeBolt Post Office (where the follow east to where Harper Creek School was needed trades and businesses (for example, Froese’s urbaniza on and centraliza on, it is easy to forget firehall is today), and it was on their land that the located, on the north‐east corner of the intersec on Store, a Blacksmith Shop and Sawmills) and s ll are that the history of the South Peace Region is found in Hamlet of DeBolt was established. Brother George’s with Rge Rd 262. Built for an influx of new se lers today. There are many local businesses such as P&G these places. Se lers arriving throughout the first half quarter bordered the hamlet on the north, where a er World War II, Harper Creek School existed for Kitchens and Sunrise Memorials. only seven years, from 1950‐1957, un l the schools in of the last century se led largely in the countryside. George and Virginia opened a Stopping Place for Exit the hamlet on Twp Rd 713 west, to Rosedale the area were consolidated to Ridgevalley. They made their living from the soil and the other travelers. Cemetery. natural resources the region offered. Distance, me, Across the road from the sawmill, the DeBolt Taking Rge Rd 262 back to Highway 43, we turn east and poor roads were o en obstacles to travel, so A mile west of the cemetery, turn north on Range Agricultural Society & Country Club built a again, past the Crooked Creek General Store. This is once arrived, people tended to work and play locally. Road 264—Harper Creek Road. A er 2.5 miles, the Community Hall, and beside it was a store. A er the s ll the post office for the Crooked Creek/Ridgevalley As transporta on improved, services tended to road winds down to cross Harper Creek. Only a townsite was laid out ca. 1945, other buildings area, and has been here since 1956. centralize. The small communi es began to fade, un l culvert conducts the creek under the road now, but necessary to a farming community were added. Next they became distant, but perhaps fond, memories. Con nue on to Range Road 261, then turn south this was where the Edson Trail also crossed Harper to the Legion Hall was the Curling Club (now replaced again, cross Township Road 714 and turn west on an Creek. Today we will explore the history of the DeBolt‐ by a recrea on Centre. East of Main Street, Ringle’s unmarked road, another part of the old highway. At the top of the hill was the Bill Sargent homestead, Ridgevalley area by following sec ons of the old Garage stood across from the DeBolt Hotel, and east A er a wooded sec on, you will see the Holy Rosary shown on pages 18‐19 of this newsle er, but we will roads in the area. It is difficult to determine exactly of the garage was Morrison’s Store. The DeBolt Catholic Church and Cemetery, established in 1940 turn west on Township Rd 720 and then north on when each road was built, but the view on Google General Store s ll sits on that site, and beside it, the and s ll ac ve. Earth shows some of these old roads, parts of which Blue Apple Café, about where the DeBolt Bus Depot Range Road 11, past Moore’s Seed Processing, the are now un‐used, very clearly. probably was in 1945. It was near here that the first Crooked Creek post Forestry houses along the highway, and the Cranberry office and store were established in 1930, and beside Lake Rodeo Grounds. This was originally the DeBolt Heading east from the Goodwin Hay Camp and A drive around the streets of DeBolt will reveal it a Community Hall. This burned down and was later Ag Society rodeo grounds in 1930. Darwin School, which were considered the west edge several historic names and buildings: seniors’ replaced with an arena in the hamlet of Ridegevalley Looking at the Hamlet of DeBolt across the highway, of the “DeBolt Territory,” turn north on Range Road residences named a er Edna Stevenson (the District by the Crooked Creek Recrea on Club. 12, and then immediately east on the second access. Nurse) and Laura DeBolt; Hubert Memorial Park we see the Gospel Light Church, which had its roots in This road was built in 1932 during the Great where the DeBolt & District Pioneer Museum Society The road leads us back to TR 714. We could pick it up the small Mennonite Brethren Church in the Hamlet Depression, but, looking at the road plans, it could has preserved some of the historical buildings of the again on the other side of the field, but instead we of Ridgevalley. will take a detour south through the Hamlet of also be part of the 1911 Edson Trail, the first surveyed area, including the original United Church manse; and So, here we are, back at DeBolt. The tour was a bit Ridgevalley. road in this area. Further improvements were made the 1949 United Church which is now the DeBolt long today, but I hope you enjoyed the trip into in 1944 and 1947 when all the material for the Alaska Community Church, operated by the Museum. The first public building in this mainly Mennonite history. Highway was being hauled up from Edmonton and Following Alberta Avenue over DeBolt Creek, you community was the Ridge Valley School in 1931. In over the Smoky River Ferry. (Just imagine that.) soon arrive back at Highway 43. You can con nue on 1956 the schools in the area were centralized to Crossing Rge Rd 11, you enter the Hamlet of DeBolt the old road and curve up on Rge Rd 10 to visit the Ridgevalley and a new K‐12 school built in the hamlet. Resources: via Alberta Avenue. There is a lot of history in DeBolt, DeBolt Cemetery, or turn south onto the Highway. Other buildings include the arena, a Mennonite Google Earth including two cairns, one for the Edson‐Grande Brethren Church (now a house—see if you can pick it Discover the Peace Country website Heading east on Highway 43, to the south you will see Prairie Trail, the other for veterans of World War II. out), the Rosedale Church, and the Ridgevalley Across the Smoky the gym and classrooms, which are all that remains of Behind the cairns is the Legion Hall, but when this Seniors Home. Alberta Lands Township Maps & Road Plans the DeBolt School. It was established half a mile north road was built in 1932, this was the site of Bickell’s of the hamlet in 1921 and moved to this site in 1935, Across from the Gas Co‐op is the first store of Sawmill. 12 13
Explore the History of DeBolt‐Ridgevalley
Resources: Google Earth Discover the Peace Country website Across the Smoky Alberta Lands Township Maps & Road Plans
Hamlet of DeBolt ca. 1945 14 15
World War I Grande Prairie River Rats Associa on William Noll Diary with Dorman Ditch
The River Rat Jet Boat Races in June 2014 reminded on the Smoky River. “The loca on was perfectly me that we have a package of material on the Grande suited… in a place that offered good access by river Many of the young men who le this area for World Prairie River Rats given to us by Dorman S. Ditch. boat or helicopter only, with the space for War I never returned, and we seldom hear their unrestricted growth over me. Preliminary stories. The dona on of the William Noll Diary by Dorman reminisces about his early river boa ng. “By discussions with the government had suggested a Chris Kinderwater gives us one of those stories. the mid‐1960s, river boa ng had become a family lease would not be available, but then Wally Everi weekend adventure. Jet drive propulsion systems with William John Noll was born January 15, 1895 in of Radio Sta on CFGP and Ray Smuland of Alberta dependable automo ve inboard engines were Parkdale, Minnesota, the son of Sebas an Noll and Forestry, two recent River Rats in Grande Prairie, commonplace. River boat hulls had changes in Anna Leibel. In the Spring of 1914, William le went to work. Just a short me later, I got a phone configura on to accommodate some comforts as Almena, Wisconsin and travelled to the Grande call that confirmed that the Government approvals upholstered sea ng, safety glass windshields with Prairie area over the Edson Trail. He filed on a were forthcoming.” wipers, conver ble tops, heaters and defrost systems. homestead (SW 21‐74‐8 W6th) on October 30, 1913, With all the added comforts and reliability, it was now Although it was a massive challenge, volunteer living with the Frank and W. J. Kinderwater families, prac cal to include the whole family.” labour and donated materials allowed them to who were also from Almena. The Kinderwaters’ build the rendezvous for $3000. brother Joseph Charles Kindervater was married to By that me, the River Rats was already an Ida Noll, William’s sister. iden fiable group. Dorman remembers, “I do believe The River Rats have faced many more challenges in it was back in 1967 that a group of the River Rats the past 45 years—including several World’s River William was also a partner of H. C. Plum in the traveled by the Fraser, Herrick and McGregor River Boat Races in the area. If you have any photographs packing business and worked on Plum’s Bar 33 ca le Systems in BC to retrieve the remains of an old or textual records related to the River Rats ranch on the Smoky River. William became a automobile had been le at a trapper’s cabin on the ac vi es, why not archive them as a tribute to this naturalized Bri sh subject in August 1917 and shore of the river back in 1939. The Stojan family had interes ng group? obtained the patent to his land in January 1918. donated it as a pilot car for the proposed Monkman William enlisted in the Royal North West Mounted Pass Highway to the West Coast from the Police in Regina in 1918 and was assigned to the Peace River Country.” The highway project was RNWMP Ba alion of the Canadian Cavalry Regiment. abandoned when World War II began, but He achieved the rank of Trooper and his Regimental “twenty‐eight years later, five River Boats Number was 2684235. William served in Great Britain owned by Bill Sargent, Bob Field, Dorman and was finally discharged July 16, 1919. He did not Ditch, Dr. Cecil Compton, and Mel Rodacker, return to his ranch. Photographs, from top to adventured up the rivers to find it. The end bo om: William Noll (le ) result was the now refurbished car in the William Noll had an exci ng life a er World War I. He with his partner H.C. Plum Grande Prairie Museum which tells the story of worked as a telegrapher, then a cheesemaker, a and three bear cubs on the the Monkman Pass Highway for all to streetcar conductor, and a lumberjack before he Smoky River flats ca. 1915; remember.” went into the airplane tourism business along Mrs. Plum with the bear Oregon’s Pacific Coast. He later a empted to become cubs ca. 1915; 1917 When the group began to talk about building a passport photo for a trip a pilot in Mexico, where he was wrongfully arrested rendezvous up the Smoky River, they realized back home, but never used for auto the . Returning to Portland, William because of the war; H.C. the need to organize, so in April 1970, the resumed his flying career in that area. Plum on the banks of the Grande Prairie River Rats Associa on was formed. They proposed to acquire a wilderness River Rats Rendezvous on Wolf Island in the Smoky River, taken by To read the whole story, check out the William Noll Smoky; Noll leaving the Peace Country in 1918; and land lease on strategically located Wolf Island Beth Sheehan in 1976. (SPRA 002.05.06.415) Diary online: www.southpeacearchives.org/ a 1918 Army portrait of William 16 17 publica ons/photo‐essays/ Noll in RNWMP uniform.
Sargent Family Photographs
Such interes ng stories begin in our rural communi es. Bill Sargent started his career in the Peace Country on a homestead at Harper Creek, east of DeBolt. In the late 1930s, he hired on as a mail hauler from Grande Prairie to Calais (Sturgeon Lake), and was soon driving truck for Morrison’s Cash Store in DeBolt hauling wheat, livestock and freight. In 1940 they formed a firm named “Morrison and Sargent” and got the mail contract. The Sargent family story on pages 194‐202 in Across the Smoky tells us, “As mes began to get be er, more and more homesteaders and their Bill and Clara Sargent's log house on the homestead at Harper wives started going to Grande Prairie. The mes Creek, ca. 1940 (SPRA 2013.086.32). weren’t good enough for people to afford cars so the mail truck provided their means of transporta on.” In fact, so many people were using the mail truck that Bill Sargent proposed that Morrison and Sargent start a bus service between Valleyview and Grande Prairie. They applied to the Highway Traffic Board in Edmonton and were granted the franchise, the first bus opera on in the Peace River Country. They purchased a 1940 Ford, 29 passenger bus. It was an immediate success. Above, Clara Sargent on the tractor pulling a small John Deere Meanwhile, they were also opera ng “three combine ca. 1940 (SPRA 2013.086.08). Below, Esther Duerksen Interna onal trucks hauling mail, express, at one end of the aerial ferry over Smoky River ca. 1940 (SPRA groceries, hardware, grain, livestock, lumber, logs, 2013.086.21). From top le , Bill Sargent beside Ivan and anything else that needed moving.” Morrison's car at the Harper Creek homestead ca. 1940 , "Hauling logs with a new truck” ca. In 1946, the bus service was sold to Canadian 1942; the first bus used by Morrison & Coachways Ltd. and the Sargent family built Sargent to take people from DeBolt to Grande “Sargent Sales & Service” garage on the corner of Prairie in 1943; Morrison & Sargent Bus 99th Avenue and 100th Street in Grande Prairie, Depot in DeBolt, with Ken, Clara and Fay Sargent beside the bus ca. 1945; the Grande which in 1952 became the General Motors Prairie depot behind Porteous Hardware; and franchise. This in turn expanded to Ken Sargent Sargent Sales & Service center on the corner GMC Buick and Sean Sargent Toyota. of 100th Street and 99th Avenue in Grande Prairie in 1955. All photos are from the Sargent collec on at SPRA. 18 19
This year the building was not salvageable Mourning St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, anymore, and the cemetery needed space Memories of Not So for new graves. The old building had to go. For me it was different. I never really did by Astride Wenigerova‐Noga by Chris ne Dyck Rio Grande see an old shack. With my inner eye I Long Ago would capture the young O’Connell couple The following ar cle appeared in the January 28, 1993 Western freshly married in the UK, trying to embark Rio Grande ca. 1930, showing the first log church, built in People magazine published by the Western Producer. It was on a ship to take them to the New World. I 1918 and just bull‐dozed this past June. (SPRA 1998.27.350) wri en by 16 year old Chris ne Dyck about her parents’ farm in see them turned away because something the Puskwaskau District north of DeBolt and is reprinted here by was not correct with their marriage permission. licence. I see them with their hearts filled with thankfulness to God a er they found I would slip my feet into my daddy’s shoes and slop cau ously out the ship, named the Titanic, went down the enormous front porch steps. Holding my feet just so, to down to a watery grave. No wonder they prevent them from falling out of the over‐sized shoes, I walked gladly helped with building the very first over the cracked cement walk. Our sidewalk always had grass Catholic Church in the middle of nowhere creeping through wherever it could. Benji, our dog, who I hated called Rio Grande—what a splendid name! passionately, would jump up on my flowered dress and cover me I see li le girls in white for their first with dirty paw prints, and some mes knock me over. communion, young O’Connells learning to I passed over the large, muddy yard to the shack we called the drive the buggy or a sleigh on the way to “Bee House” where my grandfather stayed. This Bee‐house was Church… where Granddad and I would chat and drink tea during those The original St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Rio the le is the original Church. Remember there were So, I will miss the log building. But then, I long summer visits he would spend. His dog, Peppy, would nip Grande is no more… Three years short of becoming almost no roads, no building material, no Canadian am old and would like to be buried at St. and yap at my ankles. Granddad, who was hard of hearing, a centenarian, the original log building of St. Tire. Neighbours with strong horses came to help. Patrick’s cemetery, so I’ll need the would curse and mumble to himself in this old building about the Patrick’s was bulldozed down this past June. You would see a good Anglican George White with his ground… St. Patrick’s congrega on of the war. How I wish he was here once again to hear him grump, but horses pulling together with O’Connell’s horses… Pity, because another Pioneer went to the last six faithful is now residing in a third, mostly to have him laugh and call me “Miss No”. I clearly graveyard. Built in the winter of 1917‐1918 with the A Church, any Church, was a very important part of sleek, modern building. remember si ng under the trees around the garden with Granddad, podding peas. (cont’d on page 22) background of the Rockies, the humble log building pioneer se lements. They legally confirmed you were A er all the O’Connell altar boys served (really a log shack for any recent pass‐byers) was born, married, buried. Not only that—it was a their turns, they moved away, except for dear to Rio Grande Pioneers. gathering place. In the picture, from the me of the Daniel O’Connell, his wife Cathy and their horse and waagon you can see people driving to On June 18th, 1918, the famous Bishop Grouard, three boys. And guess who is taking weekly Church for spiritual food and also for fellowship of a with Father Wagner, blessed the Church. Many care of the Church grounds? Yes, it started human kind. No Facebook then, no good roads, and na ve people and Me s were in a endance. The with the O’Connells and they are s ll at it. almost no cars. Yet the Cooks, Quinns, O’Connells, guests of honour were baby twins Margaret and Sawchucks, Callious, Horsemans, and others whose As I am wri ng this in the beginning of July, Frank O’Connell, bap zed that memorable day. names I am not familiar with were happy to have a hundreds of peonies, planted by Father The Church served well the na ve popula on; not church. Skulaba and Mr. Walker are blooming many white se lers were around at its birth—it was around our Church. So stop in on Saturday For the postwar immigrants from Europe, the old log truly a missionary Church from the beginning. The or Sunday for a Mass. When you hear the shack had no meaning. So when Mrs. Gail Yacklin first white couple married at the Church were bell of Rio Grande, it is just five minutes came in the 1990s with an idea to restore the James O’Connell and Irene Cook in 1921. from hearing the organ and the beginning historical building, it was too late. There was no of a Mass. On the photograph you see a nice white Church support for her project, the pioneers being buried in See you there and God bless you all! with a steeple. That is the second St. Patrick’s St. Pat’s cemetery or living in Nursing Homes. Aerial of Norm and Marg Dyck’s Puskwaskau farm where Chris ne was Church, built in 1929. The small gray log building to raised. (SPRA 2014.036.21) 20 21
Kathryn’s Picks What Archives Do and Why We Do It By Kathryn Auger by Leslie Gordon, B Sc, MAS Right up to the end of the 1960s, Grande Prairie newspapers had “correspondents” who sent in the news from the rural areas. O en the “news” included personal bits about individuals and families as well as community Author’s Note: South Peace Regional Archives public transit with room for parking and a loading facili es and organiza ons. Obviously, the Li le Smoky correspondent, whose recently submi ed a proposal to City Council and bay. Wherever we locate, having our own building February 16, 1934 column appears on the le , wanted a challenge. Administra on to reconstruct a replica of the old will allow us to be more visible, with our own, Montrose School building to serve as an Archives separate iden ty. In our current loca on, we are Memories of Not So Long Ago (cont’d from page 21) building. The building would ideally be placed close to easily confused with Museum, resul ng in a lack of its original posi on on the corner of 101 Avenue and understanding about what we do. I remember our old treehouse which we tore down with visions of a more 99 Street and near the 1929 Grande Prairie High Second, let’s consider the overall building. It needs to grand one—one that is s ll just a vision. S ll, there are the stairs to our School (now the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie) and the be sturdy, well‐insulated, above ground‐level, and treehouse awai ng their mansion and us children to play. Montrose Cultural Centre. So, what does a able to be properly secured to guard against the professional archives building require? I remember running out in my new dress with huge rubber boots smacking and vandalism. The surrounding landscaping needs to against my bare legs to meet my dad coming in from the field. I felt like a I was watching The Lord of the Rings with my promote good drainage away from the building and princess and this was my palace. husband the other day. I enjoy the movie, but there is allow wheelchair access. We also hope for a sloped I recall making snow angels throughout the yard with my friends, and always one part that makes me cringe. Surprisingly roof. Flat roofs have all sorts of problems, especially rolling up snowmen in the bi er cold winters. enough, it’s not when the characters are involved in with drainage and snow load. Many of you will recall epic ba les but rather when the wizard Gandalf the flood we had last Christmas in our office area. I remember watching the school bus come and go for my older brothers, makes a visit to the archives. The archives are Moving inside the building, let’s consider the kinds of then, eventually, my brothers bea ng me to the end of the driveway presented as a dusty place filled with precarious piles spaces an archives facility should include. We need a where we would wait. Wai ng was never boring. We could listen to the of papers and books and very li le room in which to reference room. This is the place where researchers birds or watch the sun rising (in the winter months) or throw stones over work. There seems to be no one to provide research come to use the records and material we have the telephone wire across the road. My brothers always excelled at that assistance or supervision of the researcher, in this preserved. They need things like a large table to game. case, Gandalf, who smokes and drinks while visi ng, review oversized maps and documents, research folds priceless documents, uses an open candle, etc. We built a big shop and le our names and the date in the cement to computers to view digi zed material and online The only good thing about this archives appears to be remind us, or whoever would be here, eternally. databases, and power outlets to plug in their laptops. that Gandalf leaves with the informa on he needed. The reading room should have several tables to The spring always brings me to reminisce of our herd of ca le and I’m le thinking, “Is that what the public thinks of us? comfortably accommodate several researchers at a wathching the numerous births of playful calves. In the very cold weather, Is that what an archives is supposed to be like?” it was not rare but truly exci ng for me, to have a baby calf, near frozen, me and allow them some privacy. If you’ve visited brought into the house to be “thawed” in the bathtub. As SPRA considers planning and building a new us recently, you have probably no ced us playing a facility, we’ve pondered and researched the kind of game called “musical tables” in which we move piles The fall was a me of chicken butchering. It was this that I ran from— archives we would like to construct and I have to say of our own work out of the way and squish the first decapitated chickens twitching revol ngly. that the vision is (thankfully) very different from the researcher and their stuff into a smaller space (s ll at Holidays were always fun as a child, but coming home was best. Every bit condi ons shown by Hollywood. the same table) to accommodate someone else. The reading room would also have space for the closer, my surroundings became more and more familiar—the swing of First, let’s consider the loca on of a new facility. We reference library, clippings files, and other resources the porch door, the comfort of my old “swayback” bed. The yard need a place that is (ideally) away from natural the public can browse at their own convenience. surrounded by towering trees was more than comfor ng. sources of water (ie. Bear Creek), hazardous This was my world. These are my most vivid memories of the place I was materials, industrial, and agricultural facili es, airport We need separate offices for the staff, par cularly raised. This place of peace, vastness, hard mes, adventures, and love. flight paths, mul ‐lane highways, and railroad tracks. the execu ve director. At the current me, our We want a place that will be accessible by road and “offices” triple as offices, reference room, and 22 23
processing room. There is no privacy for staff or fla ening is in the storage room. This is less than ideal computer/server researchers and things are constantly having to be since the humidified documents release their excess room for storage of shi ed to make room for more people and their water vapour into the air, thus increasing the overall digital material, which projects. An office for the Execu ve Director would be humidity, which is bad for the rest of the materials in is ever increasing as a place where she could meet with donors, board the storage room. we con nue to digi ze members, staff, and others without disrup ng the analogue holdings and We need a receiving room and unprocessed storage overall workflow of the ins tu on and providing accession born‐digital area. We currently have a ny isola on room off of the privacy for herself and the people she is mee ng with. records. Museum’s loading bay. We would s ll need an Let’s be honest, no one is comfortable having a job isola on room for new accessions with problems We would like a board interview, performance review, or sensi ve (mould, droppings, pests, etc.), but having more space room. We currently conversa on in a place where you can be easily to house the materials that have just come in would be make use of the overheard by any number of volunteers, other staff great. A couple of years ago we got a grant to turn part Museum’s Community Room for members, members of the public doing research, etc. of our processing room/Mary’s office into unprocessed our mee ngs, but if we moved, We need a processing room. This is where the majority records storage by installing rolling shelving. Although we would need to have a space of of the staff would be accommodated. There would be it greatly increased our capacity, we are in desperate our own for Board and Friends table space available so projects in progress could be need of more space again. The receiving room would mee ngs. The space could also be spread out and worked on for as long as necessary. also be the area where donors could drop off records. used to host school programs and The tables would be large enough to accommodate Right now, dona ons are dealt with on the reference workshops, increasing our big, oversized maps and plans and build custom boxes room/processing tables, occasionally causing visibility in the community and for them. The room could be lined with supply shelves. conversa ons like this: “Mr. Researcher, would you helping us reach groups we There would also be several computer worksta ons, mind moving over again? Oh, and sorry about the currently can’t accommodate. enough for staff and volunteers. There would be a noise – this shouldn’t take too long.” A loading bay We would like an exhibit and digi za on sta on to help meet the growing with room to accept large collec ons would also be Why do we need a new facility? Clockwise from gi shop area. At the current me, expecta ons of large amounts of online content. Our great. top le , because we are spilling out into the hall, the Museum kindly lets us use current arrangements frequently give researchers the every nook is filled with records to be processed, We need a large storage room with an HVAC (hea ng, wall space and one visual‐storage impression that they are interrup ng us and ge ng in our storage area is nearing capacity, and our ven la on, and air condi oning) system. Our current display case to show some of our holdings. In our own the way. Plus they have to be exposed to our work researchers have only a small space in the middle of a busy storage is alright, but it could be be er. We have no facility, we would want to be able to con nue crea ng sta ons, complete with the projects in‐progress clu er and distrac ng office. Not that we’re complaining—all heat or air‐condi oning running to the storage room, displays using our material, sharing dbits of the that results from a produc ve office. The current those donated records make us an excellent resource, and which allows the natural condi ons to prevail. This the reason we exist! region’s history, and providing browsing opportuni es overlap between public and private areas leaves us means that we experience drops in temperature and for those not into “serious research.” We also have a looking less professional than we would like. humidity through the winter and rises and estate, Sexsmith Museum, and the Grande Prairie number of publica ons produced by the Archives, We need a properly equipped conserva on lab with a intemperature and humidity through the summer. We Public Library in the last year alone, plus more than which we would like to be able to be er display and fumehood. It would be so nice to be able to deal with aren’t terribly concerned because the levels change 50 smaller accessions since January, all of which will sell to interested patrons. mould, mouse droppings, and other hazards very gradually and do not reach the danger levels, but need storage space once they are processed. We also I’m truly not complaining (well, maybe a li le) about immediately, without having to wait for a nice summer the records would be happiest if we were able to keep hope to add more municipal partners in the future, our current facility, but it is nice to dream about what day without too much wind to do it outside. I do like them at a constant temperature and humidity which will further stretch our storage capabili es. might be possible for SPRA in the future. The Grande a en on, but crea ng a show for passing motorists throughout the year. An overall lower temperature Besides being much larger, our new storage room Prairie Museum has been an excellent place to begin while decked out in respirator, lab coat, gloves, safety and humidity would decrease our current ra ng from a also needs to be away from outside walls, water life as an Archives. We have enjoyed an excellent glasses, etc. is not my idea of a good me. Plus, the moderate aging rate to a slow aging rate, thus pipes, and public areas, as well as have an adequate rela onship with them for the past 15 years, however, days when the weather is nice enough are usually also increasing our ability to preserve the records for floor load. By itself, paper is heavy and we also have like a growing teenager, we are ge ng ready to leave the days which are much too hot for the ou it to be longer. The records storage area would also benefit high‐density storage equipment and strategies (like the nest and move out on our own. (But only if we can comfortable. There would also be a humidifica on and from air exchange, which currently only occurs when rolling shelving) designed to maximize use of the be guaranteed a new archives building with condi ons fla ening sta on in the lab. Right now we humidify we open and close the door. We will also soon be storage area. All of this means that the storage area in no way resembling the archives visited by Gandalf!) documents in the processing room/Mary’s office and experiencing space shortages in our storage room. We needs to have a much higher floor‐load ra ng than the only area large enough that we can dedicate to acquired three large collec ons from the Paul Pivert the average office building. We also need a 24 25
New at the Archives New in the Archives Library South Peace Regional Archives Society Dunvegan Post Journals for 1806 and 1808 Membership Applica on/Renewal Form Thank You Donors! [a transcrip on of] an account of the Ac vi es at The collec ons at SPRA have all been donated by the Post as recorded by Alexander Roderick individuals, organiza ons, and municipal Date: ______McLeod. (Includes a site plan of the Post.) governments. You are our only resource for the Name: ______preserva on of the history of the south Peace. Here Edited by David W. Leonard are a few of our recent dona ons. Address: ______Alexander Family fonds (Spirit River) Available in the Grande Prairie Postal Code: ______Phone: ______by Jean Pearce Museum Book Store for $10.00 E‐mail: ______Sub‐division and Infrastructure Plans by City of Grande Prarie The Perfect Introduc on Interested in being involved as a: ______volunteer ______board member Medlock‐Evenrude Family fonds If you hear someone say: I have some me now that by Kathryn Auger I’m re red, and I’d like to volunteer at the Archives, but I don’t know very much about Archives and my There are two types of membership: Lassiter Project Crop Failures Register family has very li le history in the area. by Wayne Grusie & Grizzly Bear Prairie Museum Full membership‐‐get involved in the society, a end mee ngs, vote on issues and run for office. You can tell them: Volunteering at the Archives is all about making informa on available to the public. Associate membership‐‐receive communica ons (like this newsle er) to stay informed about Foulest of Murders Book & Research Files issues and happenings at the Archives. by Doris Tansem and Brenda LaCroix There are lots of things you can do, like researching people’s stories, or transcribing and typing, even City Staff Photos and Miss Grande Prairie publica ons helping get the newsle er out. Archives staff will give by Bernice Penson you any training you need. This membership is ______new ______renewal Full Membership William Noll Diary Are You Enjoying This Newsle er? $20.00/person or $30.00/couple ______by Chris Kinderwater Would you like to receive it mailed to your home four Associate Member Hudson’s Bay Store & Staff Photographs mes a year? It’s free when you are a member of the $15.00/person ______by Harold (Hal) Tipper South Peace Regional Archives Society or Friends of South Peace Regional Archives. See the Membership I wish to donate to the Hythe Welding Shop records Form on the back of the newsle er. You can also give South Peace Regional Archives ______by Irene McCallister memberships as gi s to friends or family. Total Membership and Dona on ______
Submissions to this Newsle er 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, stories, poems, memories, le ers and photographs. Box 687, Grande Prairie, AB. T8V 3A8 MD 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 dona ons from people like you! 780‐830‐5105. E‐mail: [email protected] 26 27
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