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South Peace Regional Archives
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Arthur Smith fonds
Arthur Smith fonds. -- 1936-1939. -- 2 cm of textual records.
Biographical Sketch
Mr. Arthur Smith came to the Lake Saskatoon District in 1912 to join his father, George Smith, who was homesteading in the area. With him he brought registered cattle and later he grew registered wheat. In 1920 he married Jessie Hazard. When the Monkman Pass Highway Association (MPHA) was formed in 1936, both Arthur and Jessie joined the organization to pressure the government to build a Coastal Outlet for the marketing of grain and produce from the Peace Country. The MPHA promoted the linking of Rio Grande, AB with Prince George, BC through a mountain pass which the native people used, a distance of 132 miles. When support was not forthcoming from government sources, the MPHA began to build the road with donated supplies and volunteer labour. Art became the Publicity Director for the MPHA, and Jessie travelled everywhere with him, speaking out for the cause, until lack of funds and the outbreak of World War II forced the organization to stop the project.
Mr. Smith continued to farm at Lake Saskatoon until 1943, when they moved to Dawson Creek, BC.
Custodial History
The records were discovered on an abandoned homestead where the Red Willow River runs into the Wapiti River, by the Grande Prairie River Rats, a boating club. They were in an old barn which may have belonged to Arthur Smith.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of 2 cm of letters written by or addressed to Arthur Smith, in his position as Publicity Director of the MPHA. Included with the letters are three pamphlets and two newspaper articles relating to the MPHA.