Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | Thomas Wilson Lawlor fonds |
| Reference code: | 0147 |
| Date: | 1921-1959 (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 0.5 cm textual records
15 photographs 3 postcards |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processed by Mary Nutting April 2004 Added to new database May 2025 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
T.W. Lawlor was born in Killarney, Manitoba, in 1890. There he received his schooling, and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba in 1914. He then came to the University of Alberta to study law, articling with the law firm of Hineman, Milner and Matheson. Between 1916-1919 his studies were interrupted when he joined the 196th University Battalion to serve with the Canadian Machine Gun Corps in France and later the Royal Air Force in Egypt. Returning to Edmonton after the War, he completed his L.L.B. in 1920. He set up his first practice as Barrister & Solicitor in Spirit River in 1920. On May 2, 1921, he married Sarah McCrimmon, R.N. In 1924, the family moved to Grande Prairie and Thomas set up a law practice with J. H. Sissons on Richmond Ave. By 1930, Mr. Lawlor had been appointed agent for the Attorney General of Alberta, then was named King’s Counsellor in 1944. He held the post of crown counsel for the judicial district of Grande Prairie until ill health forced his resignation in 1958.
Mr. Lawlor was very community minded, active in the United Church, the Masons, the Legion, the Board of Trade, the Hospital Board, the Canadian Club, the Canadian Legion, and the School Board. He became Mayor of Grande Prairie in 1939, and hosted an official visit from the Governor General, Lord Tweedsmuir, in August of that year, just before the declaration of war in September. As mayor, Lawlor decided the time had come to pave Richmond Avenue and extend water and sewer systems. He remained in office until 1942 and caught up with changes brought about by the war effort. These included a Basic Training Army Base set up in the south end of the town, and improvements to the town’s airport which included an American Army Base, established as part of the Northwest Staging Route.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawlor had three daughters: Flora (Mrs. Charles Rankin), Enid, and Agnes (Mrs. Arthur Sovereign).
Thomas died in 1959.
Custodial history
The records were donated to the Grande Prairie Regional Archives by T.W. Lawlor’s daughters, Agnes Sovereign in 2000 and 2004, and Flora Rankin in 2003.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of 1 portrait of T. W. Lawlor as barrister and mayor; 14 photographs relating to civic duties, including the official visit of Governor General Lord Tweedsmuir, in 1939; 3 postcards (one of which shows a military parade) of Richmond Avenue, Grande Prairie; 1 news article, June 2, 1959; and 1 tribute obituary. Also included is a Christmas postcard with a wedding photograph of Agnes Lawlor and Don Wilson.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents.
Location of originals
Item 2000.30.08 is held by the Grande Prairie Museum.
Access points
- Textual record (documentary form)
- Graphic material (documentary form)
- Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
- Family and personal life (subject)
- Law (subject)
- Religion (subject)
Series descriptions
| Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
| 2000.30.01 | Item – J. H. Sissons, Barrister | 1921 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
J.H. Sissons and his secretary Eva Loney in his law office. J.H. Sissons was the partner of T.W. Lawlor who moved from Spirit River to Grande Prairie in the spring of 1924. |
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| 2000.30.02 | Item – First Train into Dawson Creek | 1931 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.5 x 4.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
T.W. Lawlor, president of the G.P. Board of Trade, and P.J. Tooley (right) representing the town of Grande Prairie at the arrival of the first train in Dawson Creek, January 15, 1931. |
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| 2000.30.03 | Item – Picnicking on the River Bank | 1931 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.5 x 6 in. |
| Scope and content:
Dr. L Fredette, veterinarian, and T.W. and Mrs. Lawlor picnicking on the banks of a river, along with a uniformed chauffer. The date was June 11, 1931. |
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| 2000.30.04 | Item – Sir Edward Beatty, CPR President | 1935 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 5.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
T.W. Lawlor (far left) and P.J. Tooley (fourth from right) for the Board of Trade, greeting Sir Edward Beatty and party at the train station. |
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| 2000.30.05 | Item – Slave Lake Flood | 1935 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 4.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
A railroad speeder testing the track in front of the train during the Slave Lake Flood. |
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| 2000.30.06 | Item – Governor General Lord Tweedsmuir | 1939 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.5 x 4.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
T.W. Lawlor, mayor of Grande Prairie, and Governor General Lord Tweedsmuir walking along a boardwalk at the Railway Station. |
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| 2000.30.07 | Item – Montrose Public School | ca. 1930 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Montrose Public School was the largest brick building north of Edmonton when it was built in 1917. |
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| 2000.30.08 | Item – Forbes Presbyterian Church | 1954 | 1 painting : colour ; 8 x 10 in. |
| Scope and content:
Painting of McQueen Presbyterian Church (although label reads “Forbes Presbyterian Church, 1911-1926) when it still sat at the top of the hill beside the United Church and Hall. Painting was given to Mrs. T.W. Lawlor, president of the W.M.S. at the United Church, when she left Grande Prairie in 1964. Artist unknown. |
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| 2000.30.09 | Item – 25th Anniversary, United Church Women’s Missionary Circle Art Craft Studio, Grande Prairie |
1951 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 12 in. |
| Scope and content:
Members of the Peace River Women’s Missionary Service Presbyterial in February 1951. First row: Mrs. Hajeck, Albright; Mrs. T.W. Lawlor, Grande Prairie; Guest Speaker Miss Dorothy McBain, Edmonton; Mrs. J.F. Swanston, recording secretary. Second row: Mrs. Dawson, Beaverlodge; Mrs. A. Boorman, Wembley; Mrs. L. Kowensky, Grande Prairie; Mrs. H.W. Patterson, Grande Prairie. Third row: Mrs. R. Clegg, McLennan; Mrs. Konschak, Wembley; Mrs. W. Umbach, Sexsmith; Mrs. J. Miles, Clarimont; Mrs. R. Harper, Grande Prairie; Mrs. J. McArthur, Spirit River. |
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| 2003.14.01 | Item – Thomas Wilson Lawlor | ca. 1930 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 6.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
A formal portrait of T.W. Lawlor in his lawyer’s gown. |
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| 2003.14.02 | Item – Opening New Wing, Grande Prairie Municipal Hospital Art Craft Studio, Grande Prairie |
1950 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 6.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
The opening ceremony for the new wing of the hospital and nurses residence. L.J. O’Brien is the guest speaker and Lawlor is standing on his left |
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| 2003.14.03 | Item – His Excellency, Lord Tweedsmuir, Governor General, Visits Grande Prairie | 1939 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
Lord Tweedsmuir in the company of T.W. Lawlor at Grande Prairie. |
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| 2003.14.04-06 | Item – Lady Tweedsmuir & Mrs. Lawlor Inspecting the Veteran’s Guard of Honor | 1939 | 3 photographs : b&w ; 2 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
Mrs. T.W. Lawlor and Lady Tweedsmuir, with flowers, shaking hands with honor guard. |
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| 2003.14.07 | Item – Lord Tweedsmuir at Grande Prairie | 1939 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 4.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Lord Tweedsmuir shaking hands with local dignitaries. |
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| 2003.14.08 | Item – Lord Tweedsmuir and Mayor T. W. Lawlor | 1939 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 4.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Lord Tweedsmuir and T. W. Lawlor walking along the train platform. |
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| 2003.14.09 | Item – Richmond Avenue, Grande Prairie | ca. 1940 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Richmond Avenue from 100 Street looking west. The arrow indicates Lawlor’s office. |
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| 2003.14.10 | Item – Military Parade on Richmond Avenue | ca. 1940 | 1 postcard : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Wartime military parade with marching band stopped at the intersection of Richmond Avenue and 100 Street. |
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