Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | Bill and Clarice Paul fonds |
| Reference code: | 0382 |
| Date: | [1945-1992] (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 0.5 cm textual records
21 photographs 13 negatives |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processed by Karen Burgess, January 2010 Added to new database September 2024 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
Bill Paul started a foundry in Camrose when he was eighteen but had to close shop to join the navy during World War II. He came to Grande Prairie in 1945 and took over the smithy and woodworking shop owned by R.J. Barley in order to establish the heavy steel fabrication and welding repair business, G.P. Ironworks on 99 Ave. It was the Peace Country’s only foundry for years and tackled many needs including designing and building brush pilers and create portable welding units. He had married Clarice Thelma Walkemeyer in 1941 and together they raised their family, Bill Jr., Patricia, and Susan in Grande Prairie. Clarice was also active in a business, managing their ice cream shop called “Milky Way” during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Her shop was across from the Hudson Bay Co. ( their family lived upstairs at the time) and she remembers making coffee all night for the men who were fighting the fire when the store burned. In 1951, Bill’s younger brother, Glen, joined the business. Bill semi-retired in 1973 and then opened the business Picture Perfect in the Evans building on 100 Ave. in 1985. One of his major accomplishments was the renovation of total interior of the building. Bill passed away July 29, 1991 in Grande Prairie and in 2009, Clarice moved to Wild Rose Manor.
Custodial history
Held by Paul family. Donated by Clarice Paul on May 7, 2009; collected and brought in by Paul Pivert.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of 21 photographs and 13 negatives of G.P. Iron Works building, caterpillar brushing equipment, downtown Grande Prairie with Clarice and children, Bill and Pat, the Hudson Bay store fire, and Picture Perfect renovations. Also included are 3 newspaper articles referencing the history of the G.P. Iron Works and a menu cover from Clarice Paul’s Ice Cream Shop, “Milky Way”.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents.
Access points
- Textual record (documentary form)
- Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
- Graphic material (documentary form)
- Business (subject)
- Industries (subject)
- Family and personal life* (subject)
Table of contents
0382.01, Photographs, [1945-1992]
0382.02, Paper Artifacts, [1945-1992]
Series descriptions
| Series 0382.01: Photographs
Date: [1945-1992] (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of 21 photographs and 13 negatives of G.P. Ironworks building, caterpillar brushing equipment at work, downtown Grande Prairie with Clarice and children, Bill and Pat, and the Hudson Bay fire. Physical description: 21 photographs 13 negatives Access points: • Graphic material – photograph (documentary form) • Graphic material (documentary form) Publication status: Published |
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| File / item list | |||
| Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
| 0382.01.01-.05 | Item – Grande Prairie Iron Works Ltd. | [1945-1961] | 5 photographs : b&w |
| Scope and content:
One photograph shows the original building of R. J. Barley being converted into a two story shop building to house Grande Prairie Iron Works and three show the building during the 1950s-1960s. The fifth shows a 1950s truck and a portion of 99 Ave. looking west from their business. |
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| 0382.01.06 -.11 | Item – Grande Prairie Iron Works Ltd. | [1945-1950] | 6 negatives : b&w ; 2 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
6 negative of the Grande Prairie Iron Works buildings during the time period 1945-1950. |
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| 0382.01.12-.13 | Item – Grande Prairie Iron Works Brush Piler | [1945-1950] | 2 photographs : b&w ; 2 x 3 in. 1 negative : b&w ; 2 x 3 in. (0382.01.12) |
| Scope and content:
Three Grande Prairie Iron Works workers show off their brush piler in a snowy field |
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| 0382.01.14 | Item – Grande Prairie Iron Works New Brush Piler | 1945 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
Grande Prairie Iron Works newly constructed brush piler shown behind their shop. |
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| 0382.01.15 | Item – Grande Prairie Iron Works Brush Piler at Work | 1945 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
Grande Prairie Iron Works newly constructed brush piler at work in the brush |
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| 0382.01.16-.21 | Item – Grande Prairie Iron Works Brush Piler at Work | [1945-1950] | 6 negatives : b&w ; 2 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
Negatives of Grande Prairie Iron Works newly constructed brush piler being tested out. |
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| 0382.01.22 | Item – Welding Truck Being Towed | 1953 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 4 in. |
| Scope and content:
Grande Prairie Iron Works truck with a portable welder on the back being towed by a caterpillar into an oil well site north of Sturgeon Lake Mission. It was the first well that was a major producer in the Peace Country. A note on the back reads: “Summer 1953. Grande Prairie Iron Works welding truck being towed into an oil well sight [sic] north of Sturgeon Lake Mission – first established oil field in the Peace River Country ( the first major producer). Parker Drilling, one of main drilling companies for American Petroleum. G.P. Iron Works was, at the time, the only operator of portable welders – Pay $6.00 per hour for man, welder, rods, acetylene, insurance. No overtime, no meals, no bed.” |
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| 0382.01.23-.25 | Item – Hudson Bay Store Fire | [1955] | 3 photographs : b&w ; 3 x 4 in. |
| Scope and content:
Photographs of the fire that destroyed the Hudson Bay Department Store on the corner of 100St. and 100 Ave. in Grande Prairie. |
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| 0382.01.26 | Item – Clarice and Children by “Milky Way” | [1950] | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
Clarice operated an ice cream store called “Milky Way” on main street in the 1950s. |
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| 0382.01.27 | Item – Clarice and Daughter, Pat, by “Milky Way” | [1950] | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
Clarice and daughter, Pat, near their ice cream store, “Milky Way” on main street in the 1950s. Dr Storcer’s office and the Acme Department Store were close by. |
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| 0382.01.28-.31 | Item – Picture Perfect Renovations Mel’s Photography |
[1990-1992] | 4 photographs : colour ; 4 x 6 in. |
| Scope and content:
Photographs showing Picture Perfect Frame & Gallery on the corner of 100 St. 100 Ave. Bill Paul owned the building from 1985 to the early 1990s. |
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| 0382.01.32 | Item – The Swans by Tim Heimdal Beth Sheehan |
1992 | 1 photograph : colour ; 4 x 6 in. |
| Scope and content:
Renovations on the Evans building included Tim Heimdal’s mural of the trumpeter swans on the brick facing next to the Gaiety Theatre. |
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| 0382.01.33 | Item – Clarice Paul | 1992 | 1 photograph : colour ; 4 x 6 in. |
| Scope and content:
Clarice Paul is seen crossing 100 Ave. near the corner at 100 St. |
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| Series 0382.02: Paper Artifacts
Date: [1945-1992] (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of photocopies of three newspaper articles referencing the history of the G.P. Iron Works and a menu cover from Clarice Paul’s Ice Cream Shop, “Milky Way”. Physical description: 0.5 cm textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) Publication status: Published |
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