Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | Bear Hill Rural Electrification Association fonds |
| Reference code: | 0260 |
| Date: | 1953-1989 (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 10 cm textual records
7 maps |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processed by Karen Burgess July 2006 Added to new database November 2025 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
The Bear Hill Electrification Association Ltd. was formed in 1953 to serve farmers in the La Glace-Valhalla area, and signed its first contract with the Alberta Power Commission that year. Each of the 45 members who signed on paid an initial $150.00. The Alberta Government had set up the Rural Electrification Revolving Fund Act in order to provide low interest loans to fund the electrical distribution systems, and the local associations became the Collection Agents. By the 1980s approximately 200 customers in the Bear Hill area had been serviced with electric power, but new technology and increased values on electricity made power companies eager to buy out the REAs. Older REAs were finding maintenance costs more and more expensive so began selling out. The Alberta government set up a task force to look into changes to the Rural Electrification Act, hoping to review the concept of REAs and solve a problem that was brewing between the power companies and the associations before the REAs all sold out. An action committee of the 6 REAs in the Peace country also tried to stop the selling out tide. Some thought that they should wait for the government to consider a public power system. Others were convinced they did not want to have to deal with repairs to the lines. One resolution was passed that required two-thirds of the total membership to vote on a sale, but by then the Bear Hill Electrification Association had already agreed to sell. In November 1983, the Bear Hill REA accepted Alberta Power’s offer to purchase their line.
Custodial history
The records were donated to the South Peace Regional Archives by Morris Eady in October 2004
Scope and content
The fonds consists of agreements and communications between Bear Hill Rural Electrification Association and its clients; service contracts, lists of contract holders, and maps of the REA’s lines to the various farms; financial records; and a reference manual and poster from the Alberta Rural Electrification Association.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents.
Access points
- Textual record (documentary form)
- Cartographic material (documentary form)
- Industries (subject)
- Organizations (subject)
Table of contents
0260.01, Administration, 1953-1984
0260.02, Contract Holders, 1956-1989
0260.04, Alberta Union of Rural Electrification Associations, 1978
Series descriptions
| Series 0260.01: Administration
Date: 1953-1984 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of correspondence, agreements signed with the Board of Public Utility, a project for clearing right-of-ways, an unsigned copy of the agreement Alberta Power proposed signing with the REAs, lists of the members of the executive from 1979-1983, and notes taken at the last meeting of the Association. Physical description: 1 cm textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) Publication status: Published |
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| Series 0260.02: Contract Holders
Date: 1956-1989 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of Electric Service Contracts signed with each land owner, lists of contract holders, and five maps showing the district covered by the Bear Hill REA with names of individual land owners. Physical description: 4 cm textual records 5 maps Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) • Cartographic material (documentary form) Publication status: Published |
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| File / item list | |||
| Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
| 0260.02.01-04 | Item – Bear Hill Rural Electrification Association | 1956-1973 | 4 maps |
| Scope and content:
Four maps showing the district covered by the Bear Hill REA (LaGlace) with names of individual land owners. |
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| 0260.02.05 | Item – Bear Lake Rural Electrification Association Canadian Utilities Limited |
1989 | 1 map : 24 x 36 in. |
| Material specific details [cartographic]:
1 in. = 1 mile Scope and content: A map showing the district covered by the Bear Lake Rural Electrification Association with names of individual land owners. Approximate boundaries are the Wapiti River (south), Lake Saskatoon (west), the Saddle Hills (north), and Clairmont Lake (east). |
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| Series 0260.03: Financial
Date: 1960-1983 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of journal sheets from 1959-1981; annual financial reports from 1959-1962, 1967-1969, 1971-1982; cheque stubs from 1982-1985; cheque requisitions for reserve funds; Alberta Power rates; and a Refund Analysis, 1970. Physical description: 1 cm textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) Publication status: Published |
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| Series 0260.04: Alberta Union of Rural Electrification Associations
Date: 1978 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of two maps showing areas covered by rural electrification associations in Alberta and a manual intended as an informational guide to groups interested in becoming involved with rural power service. Physical description: 4 cm textual records 2 maps Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) Publication status: Published |
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| File / item list | |||
| Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
| 2004.70.01a -b | Item – Farm Electrification Areas Maps Reddy Kilowatt |
n.d. | 2 maps |
| Scope and content:
Two maps of Farm Electrification areas in Alberta from the Alberta Rural Electrification Association. |
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