Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | South Wapiti Collection |
| Reference code: | 0255 |
| Date: | 1935-1976 (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 15 photographs |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processed by Mary Nutting, April 2006 Added to new database November 2025 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
The South Wapiti area centered on Township 79, Range 8, West of the 6th meridian. It was opened for agriculture in the early 1930s, with settlers crossing the Wapiti River by boat at Pipestone Creek. A post office was started in Mr. Riggs’ house, and soon there was a ferry over the river. The first community building was the South Wapiti School (District No. 4623) built in 1935, the center for clubs, meetings, and church as well as the school. When the Riggses left in 1940, Archie Gerow took over the post office and added a small store. In 1952, a hall was built on Ted Day’s quarter, SE 17-69-8-W6, and became a venue for wedding dances and community events. As transportation became easier, the settlers could go to Grovedale or Pipestone Creek for the goods and services they needed. The store and post office were the first to close, with the school following in 1962 and the hall around 1964.
Custodial history
The photographs were preserved by Melba (Bunny) Day Schenk, daughter of Ted Day and granddaughter of Olaf Berg. They were deposited with South Peace Regional Archives in 2006.
Scope and content
The collection consists of 15 photographs of the farmers and settlers who lived in or frequented the South Wapiti area, including Olaf Berg, the Ted Day family, the Osbornes, the McCulloughs and the Ryans. There is also a photograph of “The Bee Man” from the Beaverlodge Research Station giving a demonstration on bee keeping for the South Wapiti Community.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of collection based on contents.
Access points
- Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
- Family and personal life (subject)
- Education (subject)
- Forestry (subject)
- Agriculture (subject)
Series descriptions
| Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
| 0255.01 | Item – South Wapiti Students | ca. 1955 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.5 x 2.75 in. |
| Scope and content:
Students at the South Wapiti School. Back row: Gladys Ryan, Ruth Ryan. Middle row: Ken Ryan, Bunny Day, Bob Ryan. Front Row: Joyce Ryan, Lloyd Lofstrom, Bud Pearson, Bill Pearson. |
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| 0255.02 | Item – School Transportation | ca. 1955 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.5 x 4.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Students from South Wapiti School on horseback in the school yard. From left to right: Irene and Gladys Ryan, Joan Elliott, Irene and Doug Van Schaick, Walter and Bob Ryan, May and Ruth Ryan, Patricia Van Schaick, Muriel Sutherland, Michael and Gerald Ryan |
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| 0255.03 | Item – South Wapiti Students | ca. 1950 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2 x 4 in. |
| Scope and content:
Students from South Wapiti School beside the log school. Back Row: Irene Ryan, Leola Day, Joan Elliott, May Ryan, Patricia Van Schaick, Helen Holmes, Walter Ryan, George Day. Front Row: Melba (Bunny) Day, Gladys Ryan, Ruth Ryan, Mona Pearson, Muriel Sutherland, Clyde Holmes, Bob Ryan, Gerald Ryan, Bud Pearson. |
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| 0255.04 | Item – Ted Day Family Farmhouse | 1943 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Mr. Day with wagon and horses in the home farmyard. House was built by Ole Berg in the 1930s. George and Leola Day in the wagon and Bunny Day in the doorway |
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| 0255.05 | Item – Winter Travel | 1945 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 2.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Travelling by horse and sleigh are Betty Ryan, Irene Ryan, Bobby Ryan, Bunny Day, and Gaille Berg. |
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| 0255.06 | Item – Day family with Grandpa Berg | ca. 1949 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
George Hedley Day (Ted ), his wife Anna, daughter Melba (Bunny), and Grandpa Berg beside their car at South Wapiti. |
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| 0255.07 | Item – McCullough Sawmill | ca. 1945 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 2.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Henry McCullough’s sawmill at work at Ted Day’s farm. |
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| 0255.08 | Item – The Bee Man | ca. 1945 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 2.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
A group of South Wapiti residents listen to a demonstration on bee keeping given by men from the Beaverlodge experimental station. |
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| 0255.09 | Item – Ole Berg | 1945 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
Olaf Berg (Mrs. Day’s father) standing in front of his house. This house was later the teacherage at South Wapiti School. The caption on the back of the photograph reads, “This is George’s picture from our album – George and Annette.” |
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| 0255.10 | Item – Valentine Dance | 1945 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2 x 2 in. |
| Scope and content:
Joyce Ryan holds a poster advertising a Valentine Dance, Wapiti Hall, Admission $1.00, ladies with lunch free. |
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| 0255.11 | Item – Getting a Hair Cut | 1945 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 1 x 2 in. |
| Scope and content:
Oscar Garant giving his neighbour, Ted Day, a hair cut. |
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| 0255.12 | Item – Bert and Mima Osborne | 1945 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 4 in. |
| Scope and content:
Bert and Mima Osborne, seen here with their dog, at their ranch at Pipestone Creek. |
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| 0255.13 | Item – Bert Osborne with Friends | 1945 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2 x 4 in. |
| Scope and content:
Bert Osborne, grandson Albert Trotter, Muriel Sutherland, and Leola Day. |
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| 0255.14 | Item – McCullough Home at South Wapiti | 1935 | 1 JPEG : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Jack and Susan McCullough’s home on the NW 3-70-8-W6 in the South Wapiti district was built in 1934-35. Here Susan, Pete, and Thelma McCullough show off a bear hide. Conditions governing use: Not suitable for reproduction. |
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| 0255.15 | Item – Threshing at McCullough’s | 1976 | 1 JPEG : colour |
| Scope and content:
Lana and Christina Schenk and Bud Moberly threshing on the McCullough farm in 1976. Conditions governing use: Not suitable for reproduction |
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