Fonds 001 Pioneer Museum Society of Grande Prairie & District fonds: Part 1

5,603 photographs

93 maps

18 blueprints

190 sound recordings

29 video recordings

Date: 1961-2007 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The Board of Directors was responsible for setting policy at the museum, hiring administrative staff, and holding regular meetings as well as the Annual General Meeting in compliance with the incorporation documents of the museum. Major fundraising drives were also overseen by the Board.

The series consists of legal documents, minutes, annual reports, financial statements and membership records.

Physical description: 25 cm of textual records

Language of the material:

English

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1971-2004 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of legal documents such as incorporation papers, constitution and by-laws, and annual society returns.

Physical description: 2 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1961-2006 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of the minutes of the meetings for the Board of Directors which also contain financial reports, staff and board reports, museum attendance records, and correspondence pertaining to the board.

Physical description: 14 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

Date: 1988-2007 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of annual reports which contain a report to the members of the society, including president and directors’ reports on the past year, and budgets and plans for the upcoming year.

Physical description: 3.5 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1961-2006 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of financial statements for each operating year.

Physical description: 3 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1961-2003 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of lists of general and life members in the Pioneer Museum Society for various years. There are also some lists of donors.

Physical description: 2 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1970-1995 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of plans and final designs of logos for the Pioneer Museum Society and the Grande Prairie Museum over the years.

Physical description: 0.5 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1955-2006 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

Administration was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the museum’s operation, and responded to the Board of Directors regarding: planning, finances, human resources, volunteers, and the physical plant.

The series consists of files containing planning documents; logo designs for the museum; capitol projects; grants and bequests; physical plant; personnel records and policies; financial records; subject files; and correspondence. There are 14 financial ledgers in oversize storage. The subject files cover topics such as the history of the museum, advertising, gift shop inventories, raffle and cookbook fund-raisers, Alaska Highway Rendezvous, Elderhostel, Forest Capital of Canada, T. Heimdal’s mural, and weddings held in the historic church.

Physical description: 92 cm of textual records

18 blueprints

Access points:

•      Architectural drawing (documentary form)

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1983-2005 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of various planning studies done by the board and by consultants, including business plans, developing goals and programs, facility studies, marketing plans, a major Strategic Planning Study done in 1997, a Museum Expansion Study in 2002, and a Capacity Building study in 2004.

Physical description: 12 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1990-2006 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of newsletters written by administration to communicate progress, activities and events at the Grande Prairie Museum.

Physical description: 3 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1970-1998 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of grants and bequests. It includes successful grant applications made from 1970 to 1998. The grants include those made on behalf of the Spirit of the Peace Museums Network; those received from the Alberta Museums Association; Provincial grants such as the Community Initiatives Program, the Community Facilities Enhancement Program, and the Wild Rose Foundation; and Federal Grants. There are also a couple of files regarding bequests made to the Grande Prairie Museum.

Physical description: 13 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1965-2005 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of two files, one for the development and improvement of the initial museum building, and one for the 2005 project which resulted in the building of a second museum showcasing the entire Peace Country with Tourist Information, and a major expansion of the original museum. Four sets of blueprints are for the original building, drawn in 1967, and for the 1989 expansion. Two blueprint plans (18” x 24”) show the final layout of the original 1969 Butler building and the building complete with extensions as it was in 1997.

Physical description: 4 cm of textual records

18 blueprints

Access points:

•      Architectural drawing (documentary form)

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Four architectural designs for a proposed museum in Bear Creek Park, Grande Prairie. Designs created by Shedden & Field.

Architectural design for a proposed museum in Bear Creek Park, Grande Prairie. This is the design that was actually built.

Front elevation of the Pioneer Museum in Grande Prairie.

Grande Prairie Pioneer Museum site plan.

Anchor Bolt Layout Plan for Butler Building used as the Grande Prairie Museum.

Floor plan and cross section of the Grande Prairie Museum.

Display case lighting plan for Grande Prairie Museum.

Electrical plan for the Grande Prairie Museum created by Cookshaw Electric.

Grande Prairie Museum plan.

Plan for the the proposed display and north extension of the Grande Prairie Museum.

Showing the placement of the Grande Prairie museum, the heritage village, and the landscaping design.

Pioneer museum planting plan, City of Grande Prairie Centennial Park Landscaping Package “A”.

Copy of plan for the replica firehall foundation at the Grande Prairie Museum.

New floor plan for the Pioneer Museum Society of Grande Prairie and District.

New construction and existing floor plan for the Pioneer Museum Society of Grande Prairie and District.

East and West elevations for the Pioneer Museum Society of Grande Prairie and District.

North and South elevations for the Pioneer Museum Society of Grande Prairie and District.

Reflected ceiling plan for the Pioneer Museum Society of Grande Prairie and District.

Electrical plan for the Pioneer Museum Society of Grande Prairie and District.

Proposed heritage village to the north of the Grande Prairie museum building.

Proposed new exhibit for the Grande Prairie Pioneer Museum.

Grande Prairie Museum original Butler Building and extensions.

Date: 1972-2006 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of records relating to volunteers and staff. It includes lists of volunteers who set up and operated the museum until 1984, and then continued to be heavily involved; papers relating to volunteer appreciation events, such as a skit for the Christmas dinner; job descriptions, benefit packages and papers related to paid staff. This last file is restricted.

Physical description: 2 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1960-2006 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of general ledgers and financial correspondence. Fourteen financial ledgers are housed in oversize storage. One file of financial correspondence concerns a court case and is therefore restricted. There are also some statistics reports filed with the 1991-1998 General Ledgers.

Physical description: 36 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1961-2005 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of letters filed in date order regarding the establishment, operations and funding of the Grande Prairie Museum. Common correspondents are the City and County of Grande Prairie, the Province of Alberta and MLAs, the Alberta Travel Bureau, the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce and area businesses, service clubs and organizations, other museums and Museum Associations, suppliers for materials, and donors of artifacts or funds.

Physical description: 15 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1955-2001 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of subject files cover topics such as the history of the museum, advertising, gift shop inventories, raffle and cookbook fund-raisers, Alaska Highway Rendezvous, Elderhostel, Forestry Capital of Canada, T. Heimdal’s mural, and weddings held in the historic church.

Physical description: 7 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1970-2005 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The Collections Department was responsible for accessioning artifacts, caring for the artifacts both inside and outside of the museum, creating permanent and temporary displays, restoring buildings in the Heritage Village, maintaining the heritage buildings and the gardens, and providing interpretive text and images for buildings and displays.

The series consists of information on artifacts held at the Grande Prairie Museum.

Physical description: 11 cm of textual records

1 video recording

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

•      Moving images (documentary form)

Date: 1970-1998 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of accession lists and correspondence regarding artifacts, a special file for the Hand-fed Threshing Machine when it was being destroyed and monetary appraisals on artifacts from 1979-1991.

Physical description: 3 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

This item is a coloured drawing of a hand-fed threshing machine. The drawing includes the direction grain is to be fed. The artist’s first initial is unclear – ?. V. Reilly.

Date: [1978-2003] (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of correspondence re: moving buildings, descriptive lists of all of the buildings in the Heritage Village, and booklets containing research, history, programming notes and photographs for each building.

Physical description: 2 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1997-2005 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of notes regarding interpretation for displays, mostly the paleontology display ca. 1997, and the displays researched and designed by archives staff for the expansion of the main museum in 2005. Included is material used to create the Alberta Wheat Pool interpretive video for the Elevator display and a copy of the video.

Physical description: 2 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Copies of the complete film, clips of which were used to create the Alberta Wheat Pool Interpretive Movie for the 2005 Grande Prairie Museum display. The originals were 8 mm home movies loaned by Henry Forcier, son of Jean Luc Forcier, the filmer. The film was converted to beta tape and then edited by Ian Forbes of the GPRC Arts Department to create the interpretive movie. The interpretive text and then the sound recording was provided by elevator agent Howard McPherson and Henry Forcier. The project was spearheaded by Archives staff at the request of Collections staff. Copyright was retained by Henry Forcier.

Date: 1993-2004 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of correspondence, research, printed materials and news articles regarding temporary displays designed by staff and volunteers, and traveling exhibits designed by other museums. One of the most popular and well-received series of displays was the Pioneer Family of the Month which saw individual families creating temporary displays with their own family artifacts, supplemented by museum artifacts.

Physical description: 4 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1978-2005 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The series consists of information on special events run by the Grande Prairie Museum including the Fiddler’s Jamboree, Heritage Fair, Living Village, Antique Car Show, Dominion Day, Heritage Day, Harvest Festival, and Lantern Tours.

Physical description: 10 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1985-2004 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of planning documents, correspondence, and statistics related to school programs which volunteers conducted for mostly primary age students. Programs included scavenger hunts, pioneer experience (making butter, washing clothes, building cabins, carding and spinning wool, grinding grain for bread, making rope, etc.), and interpretive kits for school use.

Physical description: 2 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1978-2004 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of planning documents and correspondence relating to special events. Some of their events included Fashion Shows, Fiddler’s Jamboree, Heritage Fair, Living Village, Antique Car Show, Dominion Day, Heritage Day, Harvest Festival and Lantern Tours, and United Way Campaign kick-offs.

Physical description: 7 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: [1990-2005] (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of scripts for dramas played out in the Heritage Village on Special event days, ideas for programmers in the village, and the tour script for Heritage Discovery Centre after it was created in 2003.

Physical description: 1 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1994-2000 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The archives arm of the Grande Prairie Museum was first proposed by David Leonard, northern representative for Alberta Historic Sites, and established with support from the Archives Society of Alberta. Meetings with stakeholders began in 1997, and in 1999 an archival records survey was done to determine the whereabouts, the condition, and the ownership of archival records in the County of Grande Prairie. In conjunction with the survey, the Archives Society of Alberta did a feasibility study for a regional archives in the south Peace. The Grande Prairie Regional Archives opened as an interim project by the Grande Prairie Museum in 2000, with financial support from the City of Grande Prairie, the County of Grande Prairie, and the Municipal District of Greenview.

The series consists of correspondence files, minutes, the final and published reports of the archival records survey, and the feasibility study completed by the Archives Society of Alberta.

Physical description: 7 cm of textual records

Note:

Records from the Grande Prairie Regional Archives after it was established in 2000, and consequently the South Peace Regional Archives after the name was changed, are arranged in their own fonds, not with the Pioneer Museum Society fonds.

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1994-2000 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of correspondence with consultants, levels of government, community organizations, stakeholders and interested individuals as the Pioneer Museum Society spear-headed the establishment of an archives for the Grande Prairie area.

Physical description: 3 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1999 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of the minutes of the Archival Records Survey committee, correspondence regarding the survey, reports from the surveyor who was attempting to determine the whereabouts, the condition, and the ownership of archival records in the County of Grande Prairie; and the final published report showing the dire need of an archives in the south Peace.

Physical description: 3 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1999 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of a report made by the Archives Society of Alberta detailing how an archives would be feasible if it was regional, shared by organizations and governments.

Physical description: 1 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1970-1994 (date of creation)

Date: ca. 1890-1952 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

To advertise the Grande Prairie Museum, brochures were printed periodically. As well, the society was involved with projects through the efforts of volunteers: Early Settlers in the Grande Prairie District, a listing of homesteaders for each quarter in the Grande Prairie and Spirit River area was prepared by Charlie Wales; Homesteader’s Trails was written by J.G. MacGregor for the Pioneer Museum Society; and From Dinosaurs to Pioneers was designed for the Grade 3 Social Studies Curriculum by Joan Yates, the program coordinator at the time. All of these books were sold in the Museum book store.

The series consists of brochures and newsletters, as well as copies of the books produced for the museum. The only original manuscript is “Homesteaders’ Trails” by J.G. MacGregor.

Physical description: 9 cm of textual records

192 photographs

4 drawings

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

•      Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

•      Graphic material (documentary form)

Date: [1970-1996] (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of various brochures designed and used by the Pioneer Museum Society over much of its existence.

Physical description: 1 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1982-1987 (date of creation)

Date: ca. 1890-1952 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of grant applications, correspondence, the final draft of the manuscript, copies of some of the photographs used in the publication, and a published copy of the book. The book was commissioned by the New Horizons Homesteaders Trails Committee (of the Pioneer Museum Board) to cover the Trails by which pioneers entered the Peace Country before rail transportation arrived, and written by J.G. MacGregor. There are several additions to the back of the book: Photographs and story about the Tonsil Clinic at Pipestone Creek; musical score and words for the “Song of the Wapiti”, and the 1910 letters of I.V. Macklin written in the south Peace to his wife Nellie in Toronto. There are some copies of the photographs used in the book.

Physical description: 5 cm of textual records

192 photographs

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Exporting “bales of valuable furs,” part of Peace River’s winter harvest, by rail.

Note:

2001.02.253

St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Ft. Vermilion, built by A.C. Garrioch and assistants in 1879.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.631

Dog team and snowshoes being used to transport goods and furs in winter.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.310

An original Red River ox cart used by the Bull Outfit when they came to Beaverlodge from Ontario.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.542

Boats being built at Athabasca Landing to take goods and settlers up the Athabasca River into the Peace Country.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.113

Fort Chippewyan, on the shore of Athabasca Lake, was one of the earliest communities in Alberta.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.590

Erasmus J Lawrence with his daughter Susan and son Fenwick.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.281

Two old timers, Mr. St. Germain and Mr. Alex Mackenzie , with a display of locally grown produce.

Note:

2001.02.261

Visitors admiring Mr. Early’s cantaloupe field in his market garden at the Shaftsbury settlement.

Note:

2001.02.262

The first Agricultural show was held in Mr. H. A. George’s log house on Sept. 19, 1911.

Note:

2001.02.260

Alfalfa field of Carl Berg, Pipestone Creek, being examined by Mr. Bliss, J.L. Kerns, and W.S. Scarth on June 28.

Note: originally was 1969.59.130

The Hart River Bridge over the West Peace River being constructed in the spring of 1916.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.606

Mode of transporting goods on the rivers of the Peace Country: a loaded raft nears a dock on the river.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.109

The first Hart River Bridge was carried away by flood in 1914. It crossed the Hart River just before it joins the Peace River.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.601

Traveling Deluxe: Judge Noel and party leave by raft for Fort Vermilion on the Peace River.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.111

First church in Peace River: St. James Anglican.

Lichfield Avenue, Athabasca Landing, about the time settlers were coming in over the Long Trail.

Note:

originally 1969.59.541

First steam boat on the Peace River, the S.S. St. Charles, owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Mission. Doug McFarlane found the brass name plate on the river bank in 1926.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.115

The S.S. D.A. Thomas on a Moonlight Exclusion Trip on the Peace River

Note:

2001.02.259

Men and children in front of the Hudson’s Bay Company store at Saskatoon Lake.

Note:

2001.02.301

The Peace River Trading & Land Co Ltd., the oldest building on main street, was located in the middle of the street on the west side.

Note:

2001.02.178

Mrs. Benson driving the golden spike on the E.D. & B.C. Railway on Mar. 22, 1916.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Note:

2001.02.424

The Grande Prairie Branch of the E.D. & B.C. Railway was built in 1916.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.580

A crowd stands in the snow watching the first train arriving in Grande Prairie on March 22, 1916.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.487

Right-of-Way crew clears away the snow for the arrival of the Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia train on May 22, 1916.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.621

The Sheridan Lawrence family of Ft. Vermilion was one of the first farming families in the Peace Country.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.285

Image shows two men holding up fur pelts between them. A child is standing in front of one of the men. The caption on the back of the photograph says “Fur catch at Primrose Lake in 1928: timber wolf, coyote, fox and martin.”

Note:

originally was 1969.59.306

Three workers displaying the sheaves of wheat produced from the first harvest on Stone Farm, Bezanson’s homestead.

Stooks cover Mead’s field in the Lake Saskatoon district. Lake Saskatoon is in the background.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.135

Walter McFarlane with a horse-drawn disc in front of Harry Brown’s sod roofed cabin.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.762

Marjorie Willsey with a team of harnessed oxen on the F. Gilkyson farm in 1938.

Note:

2001.02.433

Early settlers motive power, out of the Red River Cart and on to the plow.

Mrs. Gabrielle, an Indigenous woman, with a lynx carcass at Primrose Lake in 1929.

Note:

2001.02.171

Ivor Peterson dug the wolves out of the river bank thinking he could cross breed them for sleigh dogs. He fed them rabbits all summer, thinking they would be tame enough to handle.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.307

Timber wolves and the B & B crew at Devinish, Alberta: Knut Knutson, Ivor Peterson, Dave Little (Foreman), Bill White, Lorne Carnohan.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.326

A typical homesteader’s cabin with two dogs near the open front door, a horse-drawn sleigh ready in front, and some household items stowed on the exterior walls of the cabin.

Sela Watts and her dog in the doorway of “Honeymoon Cabin,” her temporary home in 1923.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.490

Group photograph of the Burnsites (Bull Outfit) at Mac Miller’s first home in 1910.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.286

I.V. Macklin and Maude Clifford with Agnes and Alexander Forbes in front of a frame home. The Forbes and Macklins lived on adjoining quarters on the outskirts of Grande Prairie.

Note:

2001.02.442

A team of oxen pulling a heavily loaded sled, with log cabin in the background.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.309

Traveling by oxen pulled caboose was “a slow process.”

Walter McFarlane’s two young daughters, Lilllian and Lorna, sitting in the back of a caboose.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.185

Steam powered paddle wheeler, “The Northern Echo”, leaving Waterways in the spring of 1930. Hudson’s Bay post and boats in background.

Note:

originally was 1969.39.106

Wood being loaded onto a steam powered paddle wheeler at Athabasca.

Note:

originally was 1969.39.105

The Bull Outfit loading their goods on the Paddle Wheeler “Northern Lights” at Athabasca Landing.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.103

The Bull Outfit taking a break on the trail to Grande Prairie in 1909.

Note:

2001.02.162

The Bull Outfit’s oxen and wagons on the Long Trail to Grande Prairie in 1909

Note:

2001.02.151

Bird’s eye view of buildings at Sawridge (now Slave Lake). The lake is in the background.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.543

Teamsters with horses and wagons leaving Sawridge (now Slave Lake) on the Grouard Trail.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.302

The confluence of the Smoky and Peace Rivers. Mackenzie’s camp, Fort Forks, was located about six miles up on the left bank of the Peace River from the forks.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.461

Jim McFarlane riding a horse named “Sultan”. “Note Cogshall Montana Saddle.”

Note:

2001.02.311

The Grande Prairie Flour Mill, proprietor J. Voz, was built on the banks of Bear Creek around 1915.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.486

The Hudson’s Bay Company Post at Peace River Crossing surrounded by pole fencing.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.463

The Royal North West Mounted Police barracks at Peace River on the banks of the Peace River.

Note:

originally was 196.59.464

Bird’s eye view of the Peace River showing a low water level in 1910.

Note:

2001.02.184

Telegraph poles and wires being installed on Oct.7, 1910 in front of the Peace River Café.

Note:

2001.02.182

The settlement of Peace River lies covered in snow on the banks of the Mighty Peace River.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.467

The settlement of Peace River, originally called Peace River Crossing, in summer 1911.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.470

Part of Peace River main street in 1912, showing the Peace Hotel, the Government Telegraph Office and Diamond Store.

Note:

2001.02.175

The main street of Peace River as seen from the Hart River in 1913.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.469

The Maple Leaf Hotel and Restaurant on the main street of Peace River.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.465

The first Bank Of Commerce, the first Post Office and the Trading Store on Peace River’s main street.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.466

Aerial view of the town of Peace River showing Broadway and the Peace River in the background.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.468

Building the Royal Bank and an annex to the Peace Hotel in Peace River in 1914.

Note:

2001.02.252

Businesses along Peace River’s Main Street in 1916 include a blacksmith shop, news stand & confectionery, and pool hall.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.462

The Royal Bank, the George Lumber Co. and the first Land Office on main street in Peace River.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.491

The railway and pedestrian bridge over the Peace River near the townsite of the same name was built in 1917-1918.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.603

The Bezanson ferry broke loose and floated down river to the Goodwin Crossing.

The decked logs on the skidway to be loaded on rail cars going to Edmonton.

Note:

2001.02.164

Buildings and equipment at Northwest Lumber Co. Camp Two, 20 miles N.E. of Greencourt.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.547

The Thompson family caboose. L. to R.: unknown, Julia (Thompson), Mrs. Capt. Roberts, Mrs. Kate Mead, Mrs. Bredin, Mrs. Mary Thompson, May Thompson, Mr. Bredin, and Jack Thomspon holding the horses.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.165

The five Thompson ladies inside the caboose.

Note:

originally 1994.16.2

Miller family coming through tall timber on the Edson Trail. L to R: Lloyd and the younger children on the first sleigh, Mary by the horses, Rachael, Emmett, Eunice and Lea behind the caboose.

Note:

2001.02.155

A good, sheltered spot to camp for the Miller family on the Edson Trail, 1912.

Note:

2001.02.452

First night’s camp in Grande Prairie for the Miller family, 1912.

Note:

2001.02.156

The stage for Edmonton at Athabasca Landing on the Athabasca-Grouard Trail.

Note:

2001.02.158

Interior of a survey crew tent at Swan Lake to extend the railroad to Dawson Creek in 1929.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.626

Interior of a caboose used on the Athabasca-Grouard Trail

Note:

2001.02.161

Captain Roberts team of oxen leaving Castle Hotel, Edmonton for Grande Prairie.

Note:

2001.02.157

The mail pack train of horses leaving Edson for Grande Prairie.

Note:

2001.02.449

The first Peace River agriculture show was held in this building, which was also used as schoolhouse for the first public school in 1911-1912.

Note:

2001.02.456

A Riverboat and a canvas covered boat moored at Soto Landing on the Lesser Slave River.

Note:

2001.02.160

Office bearers of the first agricultural association in Peace River: G.B. Cliffe, Inspector Anderson, T.A. Brick, Ed Carson, Rev. Father Leserec, Sergeant Buttler, W.S. George and H.A. George.

Note:

2001.02.263

First threshing machine in Peace River, now on the farm of W.S. George, Peace River.

Note:

2001.02.271

First shipment of hogs from Grande Prairie over the E.D. & B.C. railroad.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Note:

2001.02.165

Joe Farnsworth plowing with teams of oxen & horses together on his farm near LaGlace.

Note:

2001.02.432

Walter Roberts, grey team. First hogs shipped from Grande Prairie over the Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia Railroad in 1916.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Note:

2001.02.163

A photo of the Hudson’s Bay Company Building at Dunvegan in 1910.

Note:

2001.02.183

The S.S. Peace River, belonging to the Hudson’s Bay Company, on the Peace River in 1905.

Note:

2001.02.258

A wagon load of freight stuck in the mud on the Edson Trail.

Note:

2001.02.448

Men enlisting for World War I leaving on Captain Smith’s “Peace River Boy” for end of steel at Smoky River Crossing.

Note:

2001.02.256

The old Dunvegan Ferry on the Peace River.

Note:

2001.02.254

Note:

2001.02.455

The ferry at Dunvegan showing settlers bound for Grande Prairie.

Note:

2001.02.152

The new ferry at Dunvegan. Don Cranston and Sam Sargent with outfits are on ferry.

1915 calendar with a photograph of Mr. & Mrs. Bredin on it.

Note:

2001.02.439

The survey party on the move. Walter McFarlane is second from the left.

Note:

2001.02.369

W. Fletcher Bredin home, Twin Shacks, in 1919.

Note:

2001.02.437

McFarlane’s crew on one of their four trips in over the Athabasca Trail. Walter is on the first sleigh.

Note:

2001.02.363

Easter 1912. This is where we (surveyors) stopped and I slept on the floor in my bed roll. The meals were O.K.

Note:

2001.02.454

The settlement at Lake Saskatoon in 1916.

Note:

2001.02.302

The Lake Saskatoon Settlement in 1917.

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2001.02.304

Main street Grande Prairie in 1918.

Note:

2001.02.444

Twentieth century pioneers coming into Grande Prairie.

Note:

2001.02.154

Salmond’s Hotel on Grande Prairie’s main street in 1914

Note:

2001.02.441

A view of people sitting on tracks at Red Willow Coal Mines, taken from inside the mine.

Note:

2001.02.280

Riding in a coal car on the tracks at Red Willow Coal Mines.

Note:

2001.02.279

Log building at the entrance of the Red Willow Coal Mines in 1924.

Note:

2001.02.281

Bedeaux Expedition heading for Telegraph Creek.

Note:

2001.02.168

Harry Horte snow cruiser cut down to run in a sleigh track.

Note:

2001.02.428

Businesses along main street Grande Prairie included D.W. Pratt Real Estate and Insurance, Crerar’s, a drug store, and a hotel.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.489

Victory Oil Well was an early well on the bank of Peace River near the present bridge.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Note:

2001.02.255

Teams of horses and men moving Bob Tilt’s restaurant from Lake Saskatoon to Wembley in 1925.

Note:

2001.02.274

The B & B crew with a rented Model T in about 1930. Car rental was $5 day with gas supplied by owner. The driver did not have to have a driver’s license.

Note:

2001.02.170

Building the lower deck of the Kinuso railway bridge in the winter of 1933-34.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.537

Workers use a steam hoist to bring up timber for the railway bridge at Kinuso in 1933-34.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.539

The Northern Alberta Railway used a steam hoist to bring up timber for the railway bridge at Kinuso in 1933-34.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.625

The Kinuso water tower sits alongside a narrow gauge track used to haul cement for a pier at Kinuso.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.538

Four men of a B & B train crew traveling by hand rail car.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.627

Peace River Airways mail plane leaving Ft. McMurray for Yellowknife. This plane used pontoons in the summer and skis in the winter.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.143

The end of steel at Watino in 1915 showing rail cars and various log building.

Note:

2001.02.268b

Grande Prairie and District Old Timers Association, Lake Saskatoon Annual Picnic.

Note:

2001.02.310

The Duke of Devonshire was the first governor-general to visit Peace River. Here he and his party are being entertained at their Bear Lake (Grimshaw) campsite. He also inspected Boy Scouts in Grande Prairie.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.267

Uncle Berge Halvor & Julie Velve (centre) came to Valhalla over the Edson Trail in 1913. Bennie Velve is on the roof, Milo, Ida and Hilman on the ground.

Note:

2001.02.431

From left to right: Mrs. Lawrence, Cliff Lawrence, Bert Tieman, unknown, Jim Lawrence, Dr. Pinkerton, Hugh Lawrence, Yvon Lawrence, Mr. Wright (jeweler).

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2001.02.435

Early group of Peace River school children with their teacher, Miss Jean Kelly, in 1912.

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2001.02.180

George, on the right, and brother St. Pierre Ferguson.

Note:

2001.02.447

Hunting party 1914: Milo Berge, Adolf ?, Bennie Velve, Bennie Berge, Ingebrikt Evjin, Milo Fuglem & Dick Olson.

Note:

2001.02.430

Survey crew in camp: Andrew Foster, Ed Gummer, Harry Tuffill, George Lepairiere, Jim Somerville, and Joe Mantle.

Note:

2001.02.372

Survey crew member getting a hair cut in the open air.

Note:

2001.02.451

The Harold Sinclair homestead in the Valhalla area.

Note:

2001.02.429

The survey crew traveling over the frozen Smoky River in 1910.

Note:

2001.02.371

Grahame McFarlane survey team resting.

Note:

2001.02.366

Walter McFarlane’s crew with raft in the Peace River at Rolla Landing in 1911.

Note:

2001.02.364

The survey crew enjoying a swim.

Note:

2001.02.370

McFarlane’s survey crew in 1910: Reid, McFarlane, Foster Dexter, W. Thompson, R. Henderson, Jim Perry, P. Lilleous, T. O’Callaghan, Harry Tuffill, W. Williamson, J. Willock. Sitting: Walter McFarlane, Bob Williams holding Hilda Clifford of Flying Shot, Ike Robinson, Nev Sharpe, Wm. Muir, Doc Montgomery, Chris Lilleous.

Note:

2001.02.115

McFarlane survey crew on the move.

McFarlane survey party, 1910. Back row: J. Willocks, Walter McFarlane, Jim Perry, Ring Reid, Walter Thompson, Harry Tuffill, Bob Henderson, Pete Lilleous, Jim McFarlane, Art Blair. Bottom row: Tim O’Callaghan, unknown, Bill Williamson, Nev Sharpe with Hilda, and Bill Muir.

Note:

2001.02.365

McFarlane’s survey camp is guarded by his Great Dane, King

Note:

2001.02.367

A surveyor working with his transit tripod on the grassy prairie.

Note:

2001.02.368

The Bezanson Ferry operated on the Smoky River from 1923 to 1949.

Note:

2001.02.267

Crossing the river in early days before the advent of bridges.

Note:

2001.02.257

Left to right: Kitty Leveson, Mrs. Tate, Mrs. Jessie Holmes, Mrs. Hazzard, Miss James, Rev. Mr. James, Mrs. Fletcher Bredin, Mrs. Leveson, John Leveson.

Note:

2001.02.443

The Rede Stone family in front of their home at Beaverlodge, 1910.

Note:

2001.02.275

Bull Outfit members (from l-r) at “The Boston” Stopping Place, about half way between Edmonton and Athabasca: E. Gaudin, J.M. Midler, G. V. Flint, A. G. Truan, G. Sherk, V. C. Flint, C. F. Losseay.

Note:

2001.02.159

The mail arrives at Patterson’s Store in Grande Prairie from Edson in 1911.

Note:

1969.59.485B

Fred, Velma and third Cranston child riding George Cranston’s white Ayrshire oxen team, which helped to open the Edson Trail in the summer of 1911.

Note:

2001.02.277

A fish hauling truck went through the ice on Primrose Lake in 1927.

Note:

2001.02.169

Four men and horses cross the Wapiti at Pipestone during a sports day event.

Note:

2001.02.238

Going to town, the Charlie Carnochan family. Josephine McCrie (wearing hat) going to the mission fields.

A continuous mud hole–the old Grouard Trail.

Note:

2001.02.153

Herman Trelle – a wheat king in his wheat field.

Note:

2001.02.308

Men gather at the opening of the Dominion Land Office in Grande Prairie.

Note:

2001.02.453

Percy Clubine, Mr. Thompson, and Chester Winter moving a granary with tractor & horses in the spring of 1943.

Note:

2001.02.278

The Grande Prairie Hospital built in 1913.

Note:

2001.02.438

The Irene Cottage Hospital in Peace River with a uniformed nurse at the entrance.

Note:

2001.02.179

Masquerade in aid of the Irene Cottage Hospital, Feb. 18, 1915.

Note:

2001.02.181

Hospital Day street parade in Peace River, May 24, 1921.

Note:

2001.02.269

The Peace River Municipal Hospital.

Note:

2001.02.176

The Pipestone Creek ferry crossing the Wapiti about 1926.

Note:

2001.02.235

Ice bridge across the Wapiti at Pipestone Creek built and used by the Hystad Brothers.

Note:

2001.02.237

Harold McCullough and Tom Gerow taking “H.M. Royal Mail” across the Wapiti River by aerial ferry during spring break-up.

Note:

2001.02.234

A.M. Bezanson’s automobile in a rough spot on the snow covered Edson Trail in Dec. 1913.

Note:

2001.02.450

Mail plane leaving FT. McMurray Leaded for Yellowknife. They landed with pontoons in summer and skis in winter.

Note:

2001.02.166

The first mail over the E.D. & B.C. Railway on Mar. 2, 1916.

Note:

2001.02.421

St. Vincent’s Church, on the banks of Bear Creek, was attended by the Metis around Flying Shot Lake.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

The Lake Saskatoon schoolhouse was built in 1913. This photo was taken June. 21, 1980.

Note:

2001.02.305

St. Andrews Church congregation at Lake Saskatoon in 1916.

Note:

2001.02.309

Crossing the Wapiti River at Pipestone Creek. The “Cat” is the source of power to pull the ferry across.

Note:

2001.02.236

The Presbyterian Manse at Spirit River.

Note:

2001.02.436

Moonlight scene of a frame house in Wanham–one hour time exposure on a box camera. use still standing at Wanham.

Note:

2001.02.172

Dogsleds loaded with mail leaving for Ft Vermillion in 1908.

Note:

2001.02.264

First wedding in St. James church in Peace River, May 13,1912. Practically the entire population of Peace River is shown together with the bride and groom, Mr. & Mrs. W.M. McIlroy.

Note:

2001.02.177

The first post office in Grande Prairie District was at Lake Saskatoon and was called Beaverlodge. The mail came once per month. Bill Lowe was Factor and Postmaster. Also shown is Garnet Truax.

Note:

2001.02.306

Osborne Lawrence with team & sleigh on the frozen river taking mail to Ft. Vermillion.

Note:

2001.02.266

Loading mail from truck to airplane to be flown to Ft. Vermillion. John Bythel is the pilot and Lew Parmenter is the mechanic.

Note:

2001.02.268

Wm. “Billie” Salmond with his good friend J. E. Thompson.

Note:

2001.02.445

Billie Salmond and his dog Flash, taken about 1939.

Note:

2001.02.446

Observers of Beaverlodge sports day on May 24, 1914.

Note:

2001.02.276

Aboriginal girls race their ponies at Lake Saskatoon in 1910.

Note:

2001.02.303

Lake Saskatoon Sports spectators. Front row: Harry Keith, Arthur Carveth, Joshua Fletcher. Behind Keith is Rev. Alexander Forbes.

Note:

2001.02.307

A welcome sign erected for J. K. Cornwall and his party of writers and journalists in August 1910.

Note:

2001.02.174

A panoramic view of the village of Grande Prairie in February 1916.

Note:

2001.02.440

Pipestone Creek Store in 1938, with gas pump in front and cows beside it. A.K. Watts is standing on the step.

Note:

2001.02.239

Pat Watts hauling water in 1934. Note the enthusiasm of the horse.

Note:

2001.02.240

Tent used as a waiting room during the 1939 Pipestone Creek Clinic.

Note:

2001.02.230

Waiting room overflow area for those requiring medical assistance was the great outdoors.

Note:

2001.02.231

The old Pipestone Creek School moved to the home of the Watts at Pipestone Creek in 1939 to be used for an operating room.

Note:

originally was 1969.59.488

Perhaps a tonsillectomy! The clinic was organized by the Watts who made the preliminary arrangements through a health clinic in Edmonton for minor operations & advice. This was a one time event.

Note:

2001.02.229

Examination in the operating room–a dentist checks a young man’s teeth.

Note:

2001.02.232

Ouch! The dentist examines school age children.

Note:

2001.02.233

Date: 1996 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of the grant application, correspondence and the final copy of the booklet which was designed to provide teachers with local historical content to the provincial social studies curriculum for grade 3-4. The author of the book was Museum programmer, Joan Yates.

Physical description: 1 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1979 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of two printed manuscripts which are the result of a research project by Charlie Wales. The manuscripts detail the names of the settlers who first filed on quarter sections of land in the Grande Prairie and Spirit River areas, what kind of an application it was (homestead, soldiers settlement board, south African scrip or free grant), the date they filed, and the date they proved up. One manuscript is in alphabetical order of settlers’ names; the other in legal description order by Township, Range and Section.

Physical description: 2 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1994 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

This subseries contains one original pen drawing of the McQueen Presbyterian Church and one watercolour of the Clyde Campbell Cabin by Robert Guest. It also contains two copies of the McQueen Church drawing. They were donated to the museum by Robert and appear to have been used to create cards.

Physical description: 4 drawings

Access points:

•      Graphic material (documentary form)

Date: 1971-1997 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The Pioneer Museum Society is affiliated with other organizations in the aim of preserving history. The society partners with the City of Grande Prairie to preserve the history and provide programs for area school children. It also works with community organizations: looking after the Tourist Information Centre for the Chamber of Commerce, participating in the Classic Agri Show with the Agricultural Society. The society was a founding member of the Alberta Museums Association, formed in 1971, and of the Spirit of the Peace, an informal organization of Alberta and British Columbia Peace Country museums formed in 1989. The society is also a member of the Canadian Museums Association.

The series consists of correspondence and joint project information between the Grande Prairie Museum and various associated organizations: City of Grande Prairie, Spirit of the Peace, Alberta Museums Association, Canadian Museums Association, Chamber of Commerce, and the Peace Country Classic Agri-Show.

Physical description: 8.25 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1971-1990 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of correspondence and joint project information between the Grande Prairie Museum and the Spirit of the Peace museums network.

Physical description: 1 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1971-1990 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of correspondence and joint project information with the Alberta Museums Association.

Physical description: 5 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1971-1990 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

Sub-series consists of correspondence and joint project information with the Canadian Museums Association.

Physical description: 0.25 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1985-1997 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

Sub-series consists of correspondence and joint project information with the City of Grande Prairie.

Physical description: 1 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1988-1996 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

Sub-series consists of correspondence with Peace Country Classic Agri-Show.

Physical description: 1 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Date: 1970-2007 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

This series consists of 2454 photographs of the museum and its events and programs; scrapbooks and files of news clippings; and guest books signed by visitors from 1970 to 1988. There are also extensive collections of photographs from previous displays, projects, and general collections: 575 reprints (1997 [1930-1960]) of photographs of the forestry industry in the Grande Prairie area, 412 photographs (1983-1987) of old buildings in the south Peace, and 1991 miscellaneous historic photographs.

Physical description: 5411 photographs

16 cm of textual records

Access points:

•      Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

•      Textual record (documentary form)

Note: Due to the size of this finding aid, it has been separated into two pages. This page contains Series 0001.01 through Subseries 0001.08.03. For Subseries 0001.08.04 through Series 0001.13, view Part 2 here.

Date: 1906 – 1985 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of a display of historical photographs collected by the Grande Prairie Museum.

Physical description: 180 photographs

Access points:

•      Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

Text on the monument to Sir Alexander Mackenzie that was erected in 1929.

Note:

Used in “Homesteader’s Trails to the Peace River Country”

The Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia Railway Bridge over the Smoky River.

The Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia Railway Bridge over the Smoky River.

The end of steel at Grande Prairie when the E.D. & B.C. Railroad was completed in 1916.

A crew of snow shovelers clears the way for the Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia train at the end of steel, Grande Prairie, March 22, 1916

Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia rails reach Grande Prairie’s northern limits. The Grande Prairie Hospital is shown at extreme right.

Grande Prairie villagers greet the Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia train as it reaches the end of steel on March 29, 1916.

A panoramic view of Grande Prairie in 1917, looking east across Bear Creek.

Eight horse teams at work on the new grade extending the Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia railway at Wembley in 1925.

Close-up of window displays in Morrison’s Cash Store on Richmond Avenue, Grande Prairie

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River.

Dog sled team on Richmond Avenue at Grande Prairie’s Winter Carnival.

Main street view of Dominion Day Parade, July 1, 1924 in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Horses are pulling decorated wagons down the street.

Richmond Avenue, Grande Prairie, showing D.W. Pratt’s office and Crerar’s Store.

Richmond Avenue, Grande Prairie, showing J.B. Lambert General Merchant.

Grande Prairie Creamery in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Hotel on Richmond Avenue in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

1928 Carnival Queen, accompanied by two ladies in waiting and two page boys, with Herman Trelle, World Wheat King, and A.P. Turner. This picture was taken in front of the K. Morrison General Store Feb 1928.

Buffalo Lakes Lumber Company Office and Yard in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

The ski jump on the west bank of Bear Creek, south west of the town, afforded a popular site for this sport.

A.W. Carveth was the first reeve of the rural municipality of Grande Prairie No. 709, organized Jan. 6, 1913.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River.

James McFarlane was the first reeve of the rural municipality of Bear Lake No. 740 organized Dec. 11, 1912.

G. A. James was the first elected mayor of the town of Grande Prairie.

George Repka was the first elected mayor of the City of Grande Prairie.

Henry McCullough, district guide and hunter, delivers the City Charter to Mayor Jack Mackie.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

The RNWMP barracks erected in 1913 on Richmond Avenue between 100 and 101 Street.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River.

Constable Collins, of the RNWMP, with two horses

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Eight horses pull a grader down Richmond Avenue in front of McDonald Land & Trading Company. This was the first piece of road equipment purchased by the Village of Grande Prairie Public Works Department.

Confectionary & Café on Third Avenue South (now Richmond Avenue), Grande Prairie.

Selkirk Trading Company on Richmond Avenue.

Members of the Grande Prairie Brass Band: George Duncan, Harry Watcher, Ernie Kirstein, Gus Kirstein, Ralph Johnston, N. D. McFarlane, Charles Stredulinksky, George Tate, Harold Melsness, A.B. Hedman, Frank Johnston, Tom Waterman, Gus Gerd.

Grande Prairie Immigration Hall, erected about 1917, on the site of today’s east 99th Avenue at 98th Street.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Grande Prairie Main Street view showing the Confectionary Store.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Grande Prairie Main Street view showing the Selkirk Trading Co. on the north side, between 100 and 101 Street.

Grande Prairie c. 1925, with new courthouse being built in the foreground.

First day of school in the new Montrose School.

Montrose School, Grande Prairie. When it was built in 1917, it was the largest brick-faced building north of Edmonton.

Dominion Lands & Post Office in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

The first court house in Grande Prairie was built on the north-west corner of the 99 Street and 101 Avenue intersection.

The Murray Hotel was located on the south side of Richmond Avenue, between 99 and 100 Street.

The Grande Prairie Hotel was located on the south side of Richmond Avenue, between 100 and 101 Street.

First organized fire brigade in Grande Prairie in front of new fire hall: Leonard Smee, Abe Smith, Cecil Bell, Arthur Porteroff, Matt York, Isaac Nelson, Morris Syndiff, William Cameron, Tom Masse, Archie Wilson, Emil Auger, Charles Field, George Duncan and Harry Watcher.

Crummy Bros., General Merchants on Richmond Avenue, Grande Prairie.

Lumber crew at Big Seven: Jim Tissington, Gerard Tissington and Bob Cameron.

W.C. Dillon and son Ray breaking sod with ox teams in what was later to be known as the Dimsdale District.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Crew of the Van Horne Sawmill (Fred Hayes, Dad Williams, Hans Molline, Ed Phelps, Mike ?, and Fred Lewis) lumbering with oxen Bluey and Whitey.

The ski jump on the west bank of Bear Creek, south west of the town afforded a popular site for this sport.

George & John (Last name unknown) splitting firewood with a mechanized splitter.

Aerial Photo of Grande Prairie in 1970, with the Grande Prairie Museum in the foreground.

Spring Creek Church Congregation in front of their log church.

Interior of South Wapiti School with first pupils seated on wooden benches holding school books: Johnny Kitson, Audrey Sutherland, Alice Gerow, Yvonne Elliott, Jack Riggs, Lyle Gerow, June Riggs, Lloyd Gerow and Olive Gerow.

Log cabin built in 1915 by Mr. Ostby, 4 miles south of the highway on the Wapiti Road.

Vehicles lined up on the street leading to the Grande Prairie Train Station.

Unidentified log house under construction. Note the dove tail corners. The back of the photograph says “Our house under construction.”

July 1st Sports Day Parade, May 24, 1922

The first Canadian Pacific passenger airplane landed at Grande Prairie Airport in 1967.

Haying with a Jayhawk.

Noyes’ Threshing Outfit.

John Stokke on binder, Lottie on tractor. New Bulldog tractor used coal oil and crank case oil.

Pioneer threshing days. Note water tanks to the left and right of outfit.

Don Noyes’ Breaking Outfit with a ten-horse team.

The Stokke’s first threshing outfit with Hank on tractor and Wes hand-feeding the threshing machine (1020 Tyton International).

Big Seven Steam Engine for threshing machine with Ivor Larsen, the engineer

Luchaks cutting grain with two four-horse teams.

Freight sleds, around 1910 to 1913, used by W.C. Dillon, Frank Johnston and Ray Dillon.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Henry’s McCullough’s dog team on Richmond Avenue.

Ferryman Bill Henderson at the Grovedale Ferry Landing.

The Grovedale Ferry crossing the Wapiti River.

The aerial ferry over the Wapiti River.

Settlers are standing near Teepees and tents at Saskatoon Lake celebrating the first Dominion Day Celebration on the Grande Prairie.

Indigenous Tipis and wagons at the first Dominion Day Celebrations on the Grande Prairie, at Saskatoon Lake. Original description said Aboriginal instead of Indigenous.

The opening of the Dominion Lands Office in Grande Prairie, Alberta, attracts a crowd. The postcard is addressed to “Miss Mary Wales Sheffield Ont” and the message reads: “Dear Mary, see dad at the window the morning I was there, Father”.

Mrs. Benson driving the Golden Spike on the Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia Railway in Grande Prairie on March 22, 1916.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

People gather to watch the train come into Grande Prairie, March 29, 1916.

Grande Prairie’s Kathryn Prittie Hospital on July 1, 1916. Note the patriotic banners surrounding the doorway.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River.

View of Grande Prairie from the west bank of Bear Creek in March 1917.

Students and teachers on the front steps of Montrose School on November 26, 1917.

Spectators watch the first heat of the Horses Relay race at the Grande Prairie Sports on July 2-4, 1917.

View of Grande Prairie from the west bank of Bear Creek in November, 1917.

The first wreck on the Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia Railway occurred on June 20, 1917. Three men are sitting on top of a train that is lying on its side.

Snow has stopped the progress of this Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia Railway train on its way to Grande Prairie.

Main Street of Grande Prairie in 1918. In foreground is an automobile with five passengers; in the background Campbell’s Cigar Store and Grand Theatre.

Main Street of Grande Prairie in 1919 with Grande Prairie Hotel on the left and the Dodge Garage on the right.

The main street of Grande Prairie is very crowded with people and cars, c. 1929. Photo was taken from a roof at the intersection of Clairmont Road and 100 Avenue. The Imperial Bank Of Canada, J.B. Oliver, D.W. Pratt, Fraser Law Office, Royal Café and other businesses are visible.

Image shows three men are standing in front of the Grand Theatre. Four movie advertisements are in front of the theatre: “Billie Ritchie”, “The Hidden City” and two others. The Grand Theatre was the second theatre in Grande Prairie. Talkies were introduced here in April,1930. The Grand Theatre was sold to Frank Donald in 1933.

Barney Michael established the first movie theatre in Grande Prairie in the spring of 1916. He is shown here with an advertising gimmick–St. Bernard dog with sandwich board advertising “Tonight’s Show.”

Barney Michael established the first movie theatre in Grande Prairie in the spring of 1916.

The Grand Theatre was built in 1922.

The Presbyterian Church on the old Bezanson town site. It was later used as a school and still later as a store at the present site of Bezanson.

The town of Bezanson, situated at the confluence of the Simonette and Smoky Rivers, was abandoned when the ferry landing was put at Goodwin Crossing.

The Bezanson Store from the Old Town site was sold to Ken Morrison in 1918 by PV Croken and moved to Glen Leslie in 1921.

Hudson’s Bay Post at Fort St. John on the Peace River in 1912.

Panoramic view of the town of Lake Saskatoon.

Five eight-horse teams working in tandem to build Highway 34 in the 1930s.

Early bridge over the Red Willow River two miles south of Halcourt.

Steamships operated by paddle-wheels were a popular mode of transportation on the Peace River from the early 1900’s until the 1940’s.

Loading the Dunvegan ferry to cross the Peace River.

A steamship on the Peace River.

The D. A. Thomas was built by Lord Rhonda (D. A. Thomas) who was a member of the British House of Commons. It was 260 feet long, 37 feet wide and 90 feet tall, but designed only to draw only 18 to 24 inches of water when fully loaded. The D. A. Thomas was the Hudson’s Bay Co. Steamer on the Peace River.

An old-fashioned bridge of wood construction over what could be the Red Willow River.

The Red Willow River near Beaverlodge, Alberta.

Captain W.R. “Wop” May, of WWI fame, barnstormed at local fairs in 1920. He is shown with a group of welcoming Grande Prairie town officials on pastureland west of town.

Men showing their draft horses at the 1913 Grande Prairie Fair.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Wagon pulled by oxen were a common method of travel in the Grande Prairie District.

Father & Child on a plough pulled by oxen.

Oxen pulling wagon with three passengers on well traveled trail.

One of the First Cars in Grande Prairie, owned by Jack Fitzpatrick.

One of the First Cars in Grande Prairie, owned by Jack Fitzpatrick.

Two horses in a corral in front of a sod-roofed log shelter.

Row of log businesses, including pool hall, restaurants and drugstore, which was the community of Smoky River when it was the end of steel.

Row of log businesses, including pool hall, restaurants and drugstore, which was the community of Smoky River when it was the end of steel.

Smoky River, Alberta, when it was the End of Steel.

Man and horse on the Main Street in Smoky River.

Crowd outside of the St. Francis Xavier Mission at Sturgeon Lake.

Hudson’s Bay Trading Post at Sturgeon Lake.

Main Street of Halcourt in 1928, with gas station in the foreground.

Group of well-dressed settlers in front of log building. Photograph is incorrectly labelled as Halcourt Church.

House and outbuildings of Ellis Borden’s stopping place at Swan Lake.

Panoramic view of the town of Lake Saskatoon, with the lake in the background.

Main Street of Lake Saskatoon showing Revillion-Freres and Royal Hotel.

Group photo of approximately 45 men enlisting for World War I from the Lake Saskatoon area.

Main Street Lake Saskatoon parade of enlisting men with Revillion-Freres in the background.

Syndicate outfit threshing at the Anglican Mission on the shore of Lake Saskatoon. This outfit was hauled all the way over the trail by teams from Edmonton. The Steam Engine had no tracks, so when separator and engine were moved, two teams of oxen or horses had to be used. Individuals in the photo include Frank Tesar.

Anglican Girls Mission taken at Lake Saskatoon on mission site. Rev & Mrs. Robert Holmes on porch. This building was destroyed by fire c. 1915.

Steam tractor pulling our thresher with buildings in background.

Earliest applications for homesteads in the Peace River Country were made at Grouard Land Office.

Horses & teams suiting up on the main street of Edson to start out over the Edson Trail.

Well-bundled man camped at the door of a Dominion Lands Office, waiting to file.

Panoramic view of the old town of Beaverlodge.

Old Beaverlodge before the railway was extended west and north from Wembley in 1928, necessitating locating the village along the new steel.

Wheat crop in Beaverlodge Valley, with Old Beaverlodge in the background.

New town of Beaverlodge, with six grain elevators ranged along the railway track.

Main street Beaverlodge, with cars parked diagonally on both sides of the street.

“Halfway House” in early town of Hythe.

First sawmill of Buffalo Lakes Lumber Co., taken about 1913 north of Buffalo Lake, with Jim Evans, Mr. Caddy and Mr. Ferguson? as crew. This sawmill was started in 1912, and was preceded by the Argonaut mill on the Smoky.

Hauling grain from Bluesky to Spirit River.

Main street of Spirit River.

Main street of Spirit River.

Main street view of Spirit Rier.

Panoramic view of Sexsmith.

Bird’s eye view of Wembley, Alberta.

St. Charles Church, at the Roman Catholic Mission at Dunvegan, with the ferry tower in the background.

Outbuildings at Hudson’s Bay Co. Post, Dunvegan.

Panoramic view of Dunvegan on the Peace River.

Walter McFarlane Surveyors

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Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

1909 survey outfit under Walter G. McFarlane en route to the Peace Country to lay out townships, sections and quarter-sections.

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Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Miller Family on the Edson Trail en route to Pouce Coupe during the winter of 1911.

Lewis Stopping Place on the Edson Trail.

Team & caboose coming through the woods at the Little Smoky on the Edson Trail.

Hilltop view of settler cavalcade on the Edson Trail.

Spencer family stopping to rest cattle and horses on the Edson Trail, Alberta. Notice the heavy boiler in the background–every piece of heavy equipment brought in before 1916 came over the Long or Edson Trail.

Taking the boiler downhill.

Doubling teams to pull loads uphill on the Little Smoky.

Two teams of horses pulling the boiler up the hill at Little Smoky.

Ferry on the Big Smoky.

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On the Trail to Grande Prairie, Alberta

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Incoming settlers were forced to make rafts for transporting effects across the river when it broke up in the spring.

The early spring in 1910 resulted in rivers breaking up before the expected date. Incoming settlers, such as the Forbes and Argonaut party seen here, were forced to make rafts for transporting effects down river to the Grande Prairie townsite.

Teams of horse with sleigh loads of hay–carrying feed for the trip out to bring back more supplies.

The first crude “hospital” was provided on the Harry B. Clifford homestead in the Flying Shot Lake District by Mrs. Clifford, who in 1906 was the first white woman within 60 miles. By 1910 she gave over nursing responsibilities to Rev. & Mrs. A.S. Forbes.Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River.

The first crude “hospital” was provided on the Harry B. Clifford homestead in the Flying Shot Lake District by Mrs. Clifford, who in 1906 was the first white woman within 60 miles. By 1910 she gave over nursing responsibilities to Rev. & Mrs. A.S. Forbes.

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The Forbes moved to their own homestead called “Montrose” on the present day site of Grande Prairie, and built an annex to their log mission. This served as the district hospital until the Pioneer hospital, later called the Kathryn Prittie Hospital, opened.

The Forbes moved to their own homestead called “Montrose” on the present day site of Grande Prairie, and built an annex to their log mission. This served as the district hospital until the Pioneer hospital, later called the Kathryn Prittie Hospital, opened June 16, 1914.

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Opening of the Pioneer Hospital in Grande Prairie, later called the Kathryn Prittie Hospital.

Plan showing sub-division of Grande Prairie City.

The trail-weary found food and lodging at the Campbell Benson Stopping Place, forerunner of Grande Prairie’s hotels.

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Argonauts Limited office on the new townsite of Grande Prairie. Argonauts Limited was organized in Edmonton to develop the town of Grande Prairie at Bear Creek, alongside where the Canadian Northern Railway had survey stakes.

Grande Prairie, Alberta

Blacksmith George Breeden’s one room log cabin near his shop overlooking Bear Creek offered food and rest for settlers and their teams. Photograph was taken c. 1909-1910, sometime after he drove his squatter’s stakes into the unsurveyed prairie in 1905.

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The first buildings erected on the new town site were the A. Patterson & Son store and livery barn. Constructed to face east on what is today’s NW corner of Richmond and 100 Street, the building was the first Post Office, bank and general store.

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The first to file when the new Grande Prairie Land office opened July 15, 1911.

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The Selkirk Trading Co., the second store building to be erected in the 1911 hamlet of Grande Prairie, was established by W.L. Caldwell with partner John McAulay, veteran fur trader.

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Paddy Cuthbertson, mail stage driver, about to leave the Grande Prairie Post Office.

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The A. Patterson & Son Store also housed Grande Prairie’s first bank, beside the first post office. Mr. & Mrs. Alphaeus Patterson are shown here with their daughters.

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Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

The first post office in Grande Prairie opened May 15, 1911 in the caboose that brought the Argonaut Co. Ltd. town site promoters Alphaeus Patterson and son J.O. with their families over the Athabasca-Grouard Trail.

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Transferred as manager of the Union Bank at Carbon, Alberta to Grande Prairie in 1911, Mr. Innes established the first bank here in the A. Patterson & Son Store.

Buckskin Charlie driving the mail team across an Edson Trail ford.

Originally located by Lake Saskatoon as a combined house and chapel, the mission was re-located at Bear Creek, SW of the future town site in 1908, the first church of any faith to be established in the area.

Dr. & Mrs. Forbes in front of their first home, which was both the Presbyterian manse and the first hospital. Nurse Baird can be seen at the window.

The first protestant church in the area was dedicated October 8, 1911 by its founder, Rev. Alexander Forbes.

Christ Church Anglican in Grande Prairie, was opened May 21, 1914.

Date: 1905 – 1986 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of a display of historical photographs collected by the Grande Prairie Museum.

Physical description: 762 photographs

Access points:

•      Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

Woman in New Harem Skirt on Vancouver Street

1905 survey crew, complete with horse, cook, and tools to cut a trail through the bush.

Six horses harnessed for work.

4 teams of six horses plowing

Main street, Grande Prairie in 1920 lined with businesses and cars

Cattle grazing on the shores of Lake Saskatoon.

Viewed from top of the hill.

Three cowboys branding cattle in wooden chutes.

Pine Creek, Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Automobile on the prairie over looking the town.

Winter feeding grounds owned by Smith & sons, Grande Prairie’s first homesteaders.

The ferry at Dunvegan showing settlers bound for Grande Prairie.

Donald McDougal’s barn built in 1911.

McFee house built by Charles Weaver in 1926.

Cecil Johnson’s fireplace on open prairie – built in 1913 from local stone.

Donald McDougal house and outbuildings, built in 1911.

Congregation of the Buffalo Lake Anglican Church with newly – painted church in the background.

Congregation of the Buffalo Lake Anglican Church in front of un – painted frame church.

Buffalo Lake Anglican Church with two cars parked either side.

Husband & Wife unloading bundles from farm wagon.

During a coffee break at threshing time, men are drinking coffee while women help unload the wagon. Frank Jazzard (standing) and Banzeveld (sitting) are threshing at Braybrooks’ Farm (at McFarlane according to 990-30 donor sheet, Ed Carney Farm at Buffalo Lake according to 2001.2.21) around 1929.

Note:

Same image as 1969.59.348

Robert Maclean home at Buffalo Lake – 12 miles west of Sexsmith – built in 1914. Maclean left about 1920; in 1927 Ed Gummer purchased this homestead and moved here with his family.

Archie LeBlond home at Buffalo Lakes – on the N.E. 5 – 76 – 7 – w6 – built in 1914.

Farmhouse on the pioneer farm of Mr. & Mrs. Tom Sheehan. House was built in 1928.

Note:

The farm, called Pioneer Farm, was purchased in 1961 by Mr. & Mrs. R.L. Bauman

Barn at Pioneer farm of Mr. & Mrs. Tom Sheehan was built in 1924.

Note:

The farm, called Pioneer Farm, was purchased in 1961 by Mr. & Mrs. R.L. Bauman

Garage built in 1934 and machine shed in 1924.

Note:

The farm, called Pioneer Farm, was purchased in 1961 by Mr. & Mrs. R.L. Bauman

Granaries built in 1924.

Note:

The farm, called Pioneer Farm, was purchased in 1961 by Mr. & Mrs. R.L. Bauman.

Farnsworth house at LaGlace, built in 1913.

Note:

Part of the Old Buildings Project.

Farnsworth barn at LaGlace, built in 1928.

Note:

Part of the Old Buildings Project.

Kleskun Lake Ranch Barn Built c. 1910.

Note:

Part of the Old Buildings Project.

Outbuildings built c. 1910.

Note:

Part of the Old Buildings Project.

House built c. 1910.

Note:

Part of the Old Buildings Project.

Machine shed built c. 1910

Note:

Part of the Old Buildings Project.

First home of George Ames at Bezanson – now a garage.

Note:

Part of the Old Buildings Project.

Bezanson Stopping Place barn.

Note:

Part of the Old Buildings Project.

Truck & trailer with decorations possibly a parade float celebrating Anglican church 1874 -1949.

The Charlie Carnchan family going into Provost with two horse team and buggy. Josephine McCrie (wearing hat) is going to the mission fields.

Building boats on the Athabasca River to be used to head to the Klondike.

Note:

reprint

Two horse drawn sleighs headed for Grande Prairie.

Note:

reprint

A photo of Louis’s Stopping Place showing 2 cabins and a covered sleigh.

Note:

reprint

Three men on a raft during the Simmonette break up in 1910.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River.

Note:

reprint

The Selkirk Trading Company, second store building to be erected in 1911 Grande Prairie. It was established by W.L. Caldwell and his partner John McCauley who was a veteran fur trader.

Note:

reprint

A photo of a Grande Prairie street in 1916. Several businesses are shown

Note:

reprint

A photo of the storefront of Morrison’s cash store.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River.

Note:

reprint

James Mc Farlane was the first Reeve of the Municipality of Bear Lake # 140 which was organized Dec. 11, 1912

Note:

reprint

A.W. Carveth was the first Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Grande Prairie #709 which was organized Jan.6 1913.

Constable Collins of the RNWMP posing with two horses.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Note:

reprint

A covered sleigh taking the Athabasca Grouard route prior to the shorted Edson Trail being slashed in 1911. The trek took at least two months.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River.

Note:

reprint

Photo of wagons and people stopped on the trail to Grande Prairie.

Note:

reprint

Walter G. McFarlane survey outfit en route to Peace River Area to layout townships, sections, and quarter sections.

Conditions governing use:

Copyright belongs to La Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River

Note:

reprint

The Miller family en route to Pouce Coupe B.C. during the winter of 1911.

Note:

reprint

Bill McLaughlin’s house exploded due to a faulty gas hook up.

Bill McLaughlin’s house exploded due to a faulty gas hook up.

Bill McLaughlin’s house exploded due to a faulty gas hook up.

Snow rollers formed on Feb. 14,1985.

Snow rollers formed on Feb. 14,1985.

Snow rollers formed on Feb. 14,1985.

Snow rollers formed on Feb. 14,1985.

A photo of bear creek with a farm yard & windmill partially obscured by brush.

Five cattle on back of dugout.

Horse and cabin east of Grande Prairie.

Seven people at picnic pose in front of wagon.

A picnic near wood washed up on river bank.

Picnickers posing in horse drawn wagon.

A jeep meets a truck on the Alaska highway.

People setup along highway to observe river & mountain beauty.

Picnickers posing in a grassy field.

A man with four horse team cutting wheat

Photo of a horse – shoe is the Bear Creek at Grande Prairie

Thelma & Bob Smith pose outdoors on their wedding day. Thelma was the daughter of Johanna Haakstad, a prominent nurse in Sexsmith from the early 1920s into the 1950s.

Mabel & Roy Roberts pose indoors.

Bill Gauff, Royal Bank Manager in Grande Prairie, poses with sons Tommy & Bill.

Four teams with sleighs haul grain in the winter.

Mr. & Mrs. Roberts pose with their family outdoors.

Dr. Gamey’s home in Sexsmith. Dr. Gamey was one of the many doctors in Sexsmith under whom Johanna Haakstad worked as a nurse for many years.

Mrs. T. Smith, Mrs. Richards & Mrs. Meen pose with automobile in Sexsmith in the 1930s.

Men sit on bleachers at the Winter Carnival in Sexsmith.

A formal portrait of Mr. & Mrs. McCann (nee Leona Ward). Mr. McCann was a policeman in Sexsmith.

A survey crew travels by raft on the Wapiti River in 1910 – 1912.

The McFarlane children – Doris, Lillian, Lorna & Graham pose in approximately 1919

A view of the river bank from the river. A horse is visible in the water.

The “Smudge” is surrounded by W. McFarlane Survey horses.

The Clydesdale team of W. McFarlane.

Walter McFarlane binding the oat crop with a team of four horses.

Graham McFarlane with a harnessed team of four horses.

Johanna Haakstad & Mrs. Moodie pose for the camera on the front steps of a house. Johanna was originally from Norway and worked as a nurse in Sexsmith for over 3 decades (from the early 1920s and into the 1950s). She delivered many babies and was known as the “Florence Nightingale of the North” and “Aunt Jo.” Her first cases were in private homes where she would stay for a week after the delivery to cook and look after the family. Later on she delivered babies in a large house which expanded to a six-bed hospital by the 1940s.

Johanna Haakstad & Mrs. Beard pose for the camera. They worked together as nurses until 1928.

Johanna Haakstad & a child in front of the Sexsmith Nursing Home. Johanna worked as a nurse in Sexsmith for 37 years and in that time the Sexsmith Maternity Home saw the births of 3,000 babies.

Johanna getting into Dr Gamey’s car.

Johanna and her daughter Thelma. Johanna worked as a nurse in Sexsmith for over three decades.

Johanna holds one of the many babies she delivered. Johanna worked as a nurse in Sexsmith for over three decades.

Johanna poses with Dr. McCrum’s son Ian. Dr. McCrum was one of the many doctors in Sexsmith under whom Johanna worked as a nurse.

The Sharp twins were delivered by Johanna Haakstad, a prominent nurse in Sexsmith from the early 1920s in to the 1950s.

Mrs. Beard on the front steps of the Sexsmith Maternity Hospital. Mrs. Beard worked as a nurse with Johanna Haakstad in Sexsmith for many years.