Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | Rodacker Family fonds |
| Reference code: | 0295 |
| Date: | 1919-1995 (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 1 cm textual records
53 photographs 10 postcards 1 map |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processed by Karen Burgess, September 2008 Added to new database June 2024 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
Melvin Rodacker was born in Lumby B.C. in 1909 and moved with his family to Peoria, AB, at an early age. He arrived in Grande Prairie in 1927. He worked on the railroad in his early days, then was the J.I. Case farm implement dealer during the 30s-50s. Next he ran the Dominion Royal Tire Shop in the 40s, 50s, 60s, and also founded the Rodacker Machine Works which became Steel Industries. From the 1940s-1970s he established Rodacker Sales and Service, the Ford/Lincoln dealership, located on the corner of 101 Ave. and 101 St. He was also the Tilden car rental franchise holder for 13 years.
Mel was very active in the community; he was a charter member of the Kinsmen Club and later the K-40 Club. He also belonged to the Shriners Club, the Lake Saskatoon Masonic Lodge, and was at one time President of the Curling Club, the Grande Prairie Athletic Association, the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce, and the Grande Prairie Museum. He played with the Grande Prairie Marching Band in the 1930s and led a musical group called Mel Rodacker’s Old Timers in the 1930s-1940s, who played over CFGP radio intermittently for over ten years, and then founded the Rhythm Knights in the 1950s. He played for and sponsored a senior fastball team, the Case Eagles in the 1930s. He managed and sponsored the Grande Prairie Mercury Baseball Team in the 1950s as well as the Grande Prairie Athletics hockey team. He also sponsored and help build the Model T Ford racer that careened around the tracks in the region in the 1940s. His community service included a term on town council in the 1940s, chairmanship of the Chamber committee that was instrumental in lobbying for the construction of the Great Slave Lake Railway from Peace River to Pine Point, NWT.
In his later years, he chaired the committee which launched the Pioneer Museum in Grande Prairie and this led to a decade of involvement with its operation including several terms as president of the museum society.
Mel died in 1980 and was survived by his wife Phyllis and son Wayne.
Custodial history
The records were donated to the South Peace Regional Archives by Wayne Rodacker in 2007 and 2008.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of 58 photographs; 3 certificates relating to Mel’s involvement with the Kinsmen, Chamber of Commerce and the Shriners; copies of documents describing Rodacker’s Sales and Service with a collection of advertising cards; copies of news articles showing his involvement with Stock Car Racing; a get-well card signed by the members of the Red Devils hockey team; an original document signed by guarantors agreeing to pay for the cost of a special train trip to bring Grande Prairie’s Senior Hockey Team from Rycroft to Hythe for a league game; a map of the County of Grande Prairie showing land ownership; and a copy of Mel’s obituary.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents.
Arrangement
Items identified with reference numbers beginning with 1995.48 would likely have been transferred to the South Peace Regional Archives by the Grande Prairie Museum and were later added to the Rodacker family fonds.
Access points
- Textual record (documentary form)
- Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
- Cartographic material (documentary form)
- Graphic material (documentary form)
- Business (subject)
- Sports, recreation and leisure* (subject)
Series descriptions
| Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
| 1995.48.04 | Item – Mel Rodacker | 1995 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 14 in. |
| Scope and content:
An enlarged photograph of Mel Rodacker in a curling sweater leaning against a counter with coffee cup and cigarette in hand. |
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| 1995.48.07 | Item – Grande Prairie Mercurys Baseball Team Herald Tribune |
1950 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. |
| Scope and content:
Grande Prairie Mercurys baseball team. |
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| 1995.48.09 | Item – Grande Prairie Marching Band | 1932 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. |
| Scope and content:
Copy of a photograph showing Grande Prairie Marching Band, performing in the Capitol Theatre. |
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| 1995.48.12 | Item – Mel Rodacker’s Old Time Orchestra | ca. 1945 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. |
| Scope and content:
Mel Rodacker’s Old Time Orchestra |
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| 1995.48.13 | Item – Mel Rodacker’s Old Timers | 1948-1949 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. |
| Scope and content:
Copy of a photograph showing Mel Rodacker’s Old Timers Band. |
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| 2007.038.01 | Item – Stock Car No. 8 Dick Rosadiuk |
1964 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Park Hotel Stock Car No. 8, with driver. Car is being towed to the race track on the west side of Grande Prairie. |
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| 2007.038.02 | Item – Stock Car No. 44 Dick Rosadiuk |
1961 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Harley’s Shell Service Stock Car No. 44 parked at the race track on the west side of Grande Prairie. |
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| 2007.038.03 | Item – Stock Car No. 44 Dick Rosadiuk |
1961 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Harley’s Shell Service Stock Car No. 44 in motion at the race track on the west side of Grande Prairie. |
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| 2007.038.04 | Item – Stock Car Racers Gib & Pat Thompson |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Stock car racers Gib Thompson, Tom O’Shaughnessy and Mike Fox on the hood of Stock Car No. 77 in 1963. The racing track at that time would have been on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.05 | Item – Stock Car No. 77 Gib & Pat Thompson |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Hackwell Construction stock car and driver Gib Thompson. The racing track at that time would have been on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.06 | Item – Stock Car No. 77 Gib & Pat Thompson |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Pat Thompson with children Derek and Debbie on the hood of Stock Car No. 77, driven by Gib Thompson. The racing track at that time would have been on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.07 | Item – Stock Car No. 77 Pat Thompson |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Stock car driver Gib Thompson beside children Derek and Debbie on the hood of Stock Car No. 77, sponsored by Adam Construction and Hackwell Construction. The racing track at that time would have been on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.08 | Item – Stock Car No. 18 Gib & Pat Thompson |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Stock car driver Art Park beside Car No. 18, sponsored by the B-A Center Service. The racing track at that time would have been on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.09 | Item – Stock Car No. 66 Gib & Pat Thompson |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Stock car driver Nick Denys beside Car No. 66, sponsored by Northern Pump Service. The racing track at that time would have been on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.10 | Item – Stock Car No. 17 Gib & Pat Thompson |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Stock car driver Walter Jack Pine beside Car No. 17. The racing track at that time would have been on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.11 | Item – Stock Car No. 21 Gib & Pat Thompson |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Stock car driver Bob Bohnke beside Car No. 21. The racing track at that time would have been on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.12 | Item – Stock Car No. 22 Gib & Pat Thompson |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Stock car driver Keith Laverick beside Car No. 22, sponsored by GP Building Supplies. The racing track at that time would have been on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.13 | Item – Stock Car No. 11 Gib & Pat Thompson |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Stock car driver Verne Johnson beside Car No. 11. The racing track at that time would have been on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.14 | Item – Stock Car No. 77 Gib & Pat Thompson |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Stock car driver Gib Thompson beside Car No. 77, sponsored by Al’s News and named “White Lightnin’”. The racing track at that time would have been on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.15 | Item – Jack Wenzel and Stock Car Gib & Pat Thompson |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Stock car driver Jack “Wimpey” Wenzel beside his car. The racing track at that time would have been on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.16 | Item – Gib Thompson and Car Pete Zieman |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Gib Thompson beside his 1957 Chevrolet in 1963. Harry Balfour School is in the background. |
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| 2007.038.17 | Item – Dragon Riders Motorcycles Pete Zieman |
1963 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Seven motorcycles belonging to the Dragon Riders Motorcycle Club parked on 102 Street, between 101 and 102 Avenue. |
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| 2007.038.18 | Item – Stock Car Racing | [1962] | 1 TIFF : colour |
| Scope and content:
Stock cars lined up in the center of the track, which was then on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. Bleachers can be seen on the left hand side. |
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| 2007.038.19 | Item – Stock Car Racing | [1962] | 1 TIFF : colour |
| Scope and content:
Stock cars coming around the bend at Speedway 99, which was then on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.20 | Item – Stock Car Racing | [1962] | 1 TIFF : colour |
| Scope and content:
Stock cars coming around the bend at Speedway 99, which was then on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.21 | Item – Stock Car Racing | [1962] | 1 TIFF : colour |
| Scope and content:
Stock cars approaching the viewing bleachers at Speedway 99, which was then on the west outskirts of Grande Prairie, in what is now College Park. |
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| 2007.038.22 | Item – Snow Removal Machine | 1944 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Snow removal machine built by Steel Industries for the City of Grande Prairie in 1944. Clearing snow on 101 Avenue. |
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| 2007.038.23 | Item – Snow Removal Machine | 1944 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Snow removal machine built by Steel Industries for the City of Grande Prairie in 1944. Clearing snow on 101 Avenue. |
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| 2007.038.24 | Item – The “Steel House” of the Peace | [1955] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Steel Industries Parade Float on 101 Avenue shows a [1950] truck pulling a steel pole shed with steel artefacts on the flat deck. In the background is the Salvation Army Citadel. |
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| 2007.038.25 | Item – Rodacker Sales & Service | [1950] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
The Rodacker Sales & Service on the south-east corner of 101 Street and 101 Avenue was built in 1948. |
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| 2007.038.26 | Item – Bishop & Weegan Loader | 1947 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Loader built by Steel Industries for Bishop and Weegan Trucking in 1947. The driver is Howard Weegan and the location is 101 Avenue and 99 Street. |
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| 2007.038.27 | Item – M.J. Rodacker Sign | [1950] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Photograph of the M.J. Rodacker Sign on the west entrance to Grande Prairie ca. 1950. Visible are the Bear Creek Bridge, the old United Church, the original Presbyterian Church and the Grande Prairie Water Tower. |
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| 2007.038.28 | Item – Model T Racing Car | 1947 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Laurie Little and the Model T Racing Car built by Steel Industries in 1947. This car was the R J Rodacker Grande Prairie entry in the Model T Row of the Labour Day Race in Calgary and placed third. |
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| 2007.038.29 | Item – Race Scenes at Grande Prairie | 1947 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Model T racing cars on the track at Grande Prairie. |
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| 2007.038.30 | Item – Race Scenes at Grande Prairie | 1947 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Model T racing cars on the track at Grande Prairie. |
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| 2007.038.31 | Item – Case Tractor | [1950] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Jack Thompson, Mr. Henry (of Blowey Henry Furniture Store in Edmonton), Jimmy Oliver and Pete Wright Senior with a Case |
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| 2007.038.32 | Item – Grande Prairie Marching Band | 1932 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Grande Prairie Marching Band in 1932 with conductor Les Cookshaw. Back row standing: Mell Tallon, Sid Cookshaw, Mike Harvey. Left side middle: Ole Evenrude, Cornie Remple, Ken Battrewm, Phil Alt, Mike Drainie. Left front: Frank Lloyd, Tom Waterman. Right middle: Bill Remple, Walter Atkinson, Ralph Johnston, Sam Rouleau, Mel Rodacker. Right front: Harry Johnson, Pete Peterson. |
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| 2007.038.33 | Item – Case Dealership in Grande Prairie | 1932 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
The first case dealership in Grande Prairie, on Richmond Avenue prior to 1948. |
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| 2007.038.34 | Item – Mel Rodacker’s Old Timers | 1948 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
L-R George Boe, Mel Rodacker, Cecil Morton, Clarence Sjerdal, Jack Soars, Bill Remple |
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| 2007.038.35a | Item – Rotary Convention | 1958 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Rotary convention band and performers on stage. Rotary convention at the Grande Prairie High School. |
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| 2007.038.35b | Item – Rotary Convention | 1958 | 1 TIFF ; b&w |
| Scope and content:
Rotary convention at the Grande Prairie High School. The group on stage, left to right, Walter Fisher, Wayne Rodacker, Bill Dyck, Sonny Fry, Scotty Gilliland and Gottfried Sprecher. |
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| 2007.038.36 | Item – The Rhythm Knights | 1958 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
L-R Gottfried Sprecher, Garry Robinson, Mel Rodacker, Gene Goutherie, Wayne Rodacker |
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| 2007.038.37 | Item – Jack Penson and His Orchestra | 1935 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Jack Penson (insert), L-R Cecil Lewis, Winston Tibbets, Bill Remple, Mel Rodacker, Dick Lewis at the Capitol Theatre |
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| 2007.038.38 | Item – Mel Rodacker’s Old Time Band | 1948 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Group photograph of Mel Rodacker’s Old Time Orchestra |
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| 2008.080.01 | Item – Grande Prairie Main Street | ca. 1940 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Postcard showing the main street of Grande Prairie in the late 1930s-1940s. |
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| 2008.080.02 | Item – Coronation Day Parade White Studio |
1936 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Postcard showing the Grande Prairie Marching Band leading a parade in honor of George VI Coronation. Rex Harper leads the parade, and Bill Remple to his left as they pass the houses of Dr. Ernie Forman and Archie Wilson. |
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| 2008.080.03 | Item – Grande Prairie Main Street Parade | ca. 1936 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Postcard showing Grande Prairie main street framed by an archway of green branches and a “Welcome” sign. A marching band can be seen coming toward the archway and cars line the north side of the street. |
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| 2008.080.04 | Item – Grande Prairie Sports Day | 1921 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Postcard of Grande Prairie Sports Day, July 1, 1921. Cars line one side of the sports field and bleachers and crowds of people can be seen on the opposite side. |
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| 2008.080.05 | Item – Grande Prairie Municipal Hospital | ca. 1930 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Grande Prairie Municipal Hospital built in 1929 showing some landscaping done. |
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| 2008.080.06 | Item – Grande Prairie Main Street in Winter | ca. 1930 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Grande Prairie ‘s main street showing businesses lining both sides and a hose and wagon disappearing down a rutted snow path. |
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| 2008.080.07 | Item – Grande Prairie ‘s Imperial Bank and Spencer Block | 1919 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Imperial Bank, former building to the left of the newly constructed one, and Spencer Block, Grande Prairie main street intersection. A milk wagon and a note on the photo identifies the location of the “Crown Café”. Note on the back, “With best wishes for a square meal from the Crown Café.” |
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| 2008.080.08 | Item – Grande Prairie Hotel | 1919 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
The Grande Prairie Hotel with a group of dignitaries lined up in front of the building. |
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| 2008.080.09 | Item – Grande Prairie High School | 1929 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
The Grande Prairie High School built in 1929. |
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| 2008.080.10 | Item – Sunset on Lake Saskatoon | ca. 1929 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
A postcard of Lake Saskatoon seen through the trees at sunset. |
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| 2008.080.11 | Item – Grande Prairie’s Railway Avenue | ca. 1930 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6 in. |
| Scope and content:
Snow-covered railway tracks show between a row of warehouses and elevators. The train with snow plow on front is seen coming towards you. |
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| 2008.080.12 | Item – View From Richmond Hill Rex Harper |
ca. 1930 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
The view from the top of Richmond Hill near the location of the first Grande Prairie Golf Course. |
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| 2008.080.13 | Item – View From North Side of Richmond Hill W.J. Lloyd |
1935 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 6.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
The view from the east side of Richmond Hill as W.J. Lloyd saw it on Oct. 18, 1935. |
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| 2008.080.14 | Item – Road Running East From Richmond Hill W.J. Lloyd |
1935 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 6.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
The view of the road from the top pf Richmond Hill looking east, October 18, 1935. |
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| 2008.080.15 | Item – Mel Rodacker Curling | n.d. | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 6.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Mel Rodacker and teammate looking over the rocks in the house, playing in the first Grande Prairie Curling Rink. |
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| 2008.080.16 | Item – Dan Balisky With His Stock Car | ca. 1955 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in. |
| Scope and content:
Copy of a photograph showing Dan Balisky standing beside his stock car. |
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| 2008.080.17 | Item – Staff of Watson’s Garage White Studio |
1935 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in. |
| Scope and content:
Copy of a photograph showing the staff of the Grande Prairie Garage owned by J.O. Watson, standing behind a counter which hold a trophy labelled, “Union Oil Company District Sales Competition Trophy Won By Alberta 1935”, L-R: J.O. Watson, Jim Watson, Gerald Watson, Harold Oxley, ?, ?, Andy Neil, Gordon Bishop, Merle Lydell. |
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| 2008.080.18 | Item – Barbara Ann Scott Poses with Local Skaters | ca. 1950 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. |
| Scope and content:
A group of skaters pose on the ice: Rosemary Munro, Johnny (Jock) Munro, Barbara Ann Scott, Murdo Munro, Lillian Munro, Sheldon Galbraith |
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| 2008.080.19 | Item – Grande Prairie Kinsmen & Kinettes | 1958 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 8 in. |
| Scope and content:
A Kinsmen & Kinette group pose in polka-dot vests and hats. Top Row L-R: Gunnar Hendrickson, Terry Husselby, Don McTaggert, Mel Rodacker, Max Henning, Mel Stirling. Center Row L-R: Piper Husselby, Marie Henning, Marge McTaggert, Phyllis Rodacker, Agnes Ayre, Doreen McDonell, Audrey McKay, Shirley Adams, Ann Hendrickson, Ina Moore. Bottom Row L-R: Harold McKay, John Moore, Charlie McDonell, Doris Stirling, Harold Ayre, Keith Adams |
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| 2008.080.20 | Item – County of Grande Prairie Alberta Cartographic Consulting |
1982 | 1 map : 94 x 145 |
| Scope and content:
Map of the County of Grande Prairie No. 1, showing land ownership. |
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