Fonds 585 RJ Campbell fonds

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Summary information

Repository: South Peace Regional Archives
Title: R.J. Campbell fonds
Reference code: 0585
Date: 1948-1951 (date of creation)
Physical description: 1 page textual records

15 photographs

Dates of creation, revision and deletion: Processed by Mary Nutting, August 2014
Added to new database July 2023 – TD

Administrative history / Biographical sketch

R.J. (Bob) Campbell was born March 17, 1915 in Makinak, Manitoba. He began his career with the Hudson’s Bay Company in the Fur Trade Department as a junior clerk during the Great Depression. After about three years he was promoted to the position of Post Manager, which allowed him to marry his childhood sweetheart, Patricia Roach, of Winnipeg. His first Fur Trade Post was Dease Lake, BC, followed by Kitwanga, Fort St. James, and Fort St. John. His success in those postings resulted in his being appointed manager of the new store being built in Grande Prairie at the age of 33. The HBC supplied a house for the family on 98th Street, just north of Richmond Avenue.

When the Grande Prairie store opened in 1948, it was part of the HBC Fur Trade Division. According to Campbell’s assistant, Hal Tipper: “Both Bob Campbell and I knew that the store we were about to open would be a far cry from the store folks in Grande Prairie were expecting. The gurus in Fur Trade Dept. headquarters in Winnipeg envisioned a fur trade post, albeit a bit larger than normal. Grande Prairieites envisioned the Edmonton Bay store, albeit a bit smaller. Bob Campbell, and to some extent myself, were continually frustrated by our inability to give folks the store they were expecting. Our initial inventory included dog sleds, dog harness and horse collars, along with traps, rifles and ammunition. The rifles and ammunition sold well as at that time (post war), supplies were still scarce. Little by little we transformed the store, ignoring for the most part the Fur Trade Dept. Merchandise Depot in Winnipeg and dealing with more normal suppliers. I believe it was 1950 when management accepted the fact that trying to operate Grande Prairie as a Fur Trade Post was an error and moved our store into what was then called the ‘Inland Stores Division’.”

Bob Campbell left the Hudson’s Bay Company ca. 1951, becoming a commission agent for a bulk fuel agency. Around 1952 he purchased Pete Butchart’s flower shop on Richmond Avenue, on the north side of the avenue and just west of 101 Street. He re-named it Campbell Flowers; two generations of the family were in business with it for many years.

Patricia Campbell passed away in 1999, and Bob Campbell died at the age of 85, September 26, 2000.

Custodial history

The records were deposited by Harold V. (Hal) Tipper, the assistant administrator to R.J. Campbell in 1948. Hal began his career with the HBC at the Yellowknife Store–Fur Trade Department in 1946 and was appointed assistant manager of the new Fur Trade Department Grande Prairie when he was only 20 years old. When Bob Campbell passed away in 2000, these records were passed on to Mr. Tipper by the Campbell family.

Scope and content

The fonds consists of 13 photographs, an Employment Agreement between the Hudson’s Bay Company and R J Campbell, and a magazine clipping with a photograph of R.J. Campbell.

Notes

Title notes

  • Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents

Access points

  • Textual record (documentary form)
  • Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

Series descriptions

Reference code Title Dates Physical description
2014.063.01 Item – HBC Employment Agreement  1948 1 page
  Scope and content:

Employment agreement between “The Governor and Company of Adventurers of England Trading into Hudson’s Bay” (more commonly known as the Hudson’s Bay Company or HBC) and Robert John Campbell made on June 30th, 1948. Mr. Campbell is being hired as a Post Manager as of August 1, 1948, for the sum of $300/month.

2014.063.02 Item – R.J. Campbell  1948 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 8 cm
  Scope and content:

A magazine clipping showing a photograph of R.J. Campbell who was the manager of the Hudson’s Bay Company in Grande Prairie.

2014.063.03 Item – Hudson’s Bay Store in Grande Prairie  ca. 1948 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 28 cm
  Scope and content:

The Hudson’s Bay Store located on the south-west corner of Richmond Ave. and 100th Street in Grande Prairie.

2014.063.04 Item – Original Staff At the Hudson’s Bay Store  1948 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 23 cm
  Scope and content:

The original staff of fifteen at the Hudson’s Bay Company store in Grande Prairie when it opened in 1948. Robert Campbell is standing in the centre of the back row.

2014.063.05 Item – Opening Day Crowds at HBC  1948 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 24 cm
  Scope and content:

A large crowd of people waiting for the opening of the new Hudson’s Bay Company store in Grande Prairie in September 1948.

2014.063.06 Item – Inside HBC Store on Opening Day  1948 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 24 cm
  Scope and content:

A large crowd of people inside the HBC store on its opening day.

2014.063.07 Item – William Kohlmer District manager of HBC  1948 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 24 cm
  Scope and content:

William Kohlmer, district manager of the HBC making a sale on opening day in the Grande Prairie store.

2014.063.08 Item – The Basement of the HBC Store  1948 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 24 cm
  Scope and content:

A crowd of people shopping in the basement on opening day of the HBC store in Grande Prairie.

2014.063.09 Item – Hudson’s Bay Company Float  1949 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 8 cm
  Scope and content:

The canoe float of the Grande Prairie HBC store in the parade at the opening of the Smoky River bridge.

2014.063.10 Item – H.B.C. Company Canoe Float  1949 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 9 cm
  Scope and content:

The HBC Company float for the opening of the Smoky River bridge.

2014.063.11-12 Item – H.B.C. Company Canoe Float  1949 2 photographs : b&w ; 5.5. x 9 cm
  Scope and content:

The HBC canoe float with participants ready for the Smoky River bridge parade opening.

2014.063.13 Item – H.B.C. Company Canoe Float on Wheels  1949 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 12.5 cm
  Scope and content:

The HBC canoe float with passengers on the road for the Smoky River bridge opening.

2014.063.14 Item – Preschool Fashion Show
Art Craft Studio, Grande Prairie
 
1951 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in.
  Scope and content:

“Tots ‘n Teens” fashion show that was held at the York Hotel in April 1951 included this group of children: L-R Joan Jebb, Susan Gammon, and twins Johnny & Jimmie Karran.Art Craft Studio Photo used in the Daily Herald Tribune April 26, 1951.

2014.063.15 Item – Teens Fashion Show
Art Craft Studio, Grande Prairie
 
1948 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in.
  Scope and content:

“Cute Teens” fashion show at the opening of the Hudson’s Bay Grande Prairie Store in 1948.