Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | Ewen MacDonell fonds |
| Reference code: | 0276 |
| Date: | [1915-1930] (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 9 photographs |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processed by Mary Nutting August 2007 Added to new database September 2024 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
Ewen Fuller MacDonell was a nephew of J.D. MacArthur, the builder of the E.D. & B.C. Railway. Born in Ontario in 1892, he first came to Alberta to work on the railway, but left to enlist in World War I. He served as an officer from 1915-1919, first with the 73rd Highland Battalion, then 154th Glengarry Highlanders and 7th Battalion Canadian Railway troops. He was discharged in 1919 and took a homestead at Rio Grande, Alberta, bringing in two carloads of cattle and horses from Edmonton. In 1920 Ewen became the postmaster in Rio Grande, and in 1921 he and Alex MacIntosh opened the first Rio Grande Store. Supplies for the store were hauled by horse and wagon from Grande Prairie, 43 miles away. The supply trip took four days, two there and two back. Ewen and Alex also built two houses and a barn beside the store, and this became the eastern half of the small community of Rio Grande. Across the road was St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and Rectory and the Rio Grande Hall, a mile to the north was the Rio Grande School, and south along the banks of the Red Willow River was the Rodeo Grounds. In the prosperous late 1920s, about 1928, a new and larger store was built with living quarters upstairs and a pump to sell gasoline. In 1936 Mr. MacDonell sold the store to Joe Barrett. He passed away in 1970.
Custodial history
Copies of the photographs were donated to South Peace Regional Archives by Doreen MacDonell, daughter-in-law to Ewen MacDonell, in 2007.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of nine photographs of Ewen MacDonell and the store-post office at Rio Grande which he owned and operated from 1920 to 1936. There are also photographs of the Rio Grande School the bridge over the Red Willow River.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents.
Conditions governing use
These photographs were donated as digital files. They are suitable for reproducing up to 8×10 in., but no larger.
Access points
- Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
- Business (subject)
Series descriptions
| Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
| 0276.01 | Item – Ewen Fuller MacDonell | 1915 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Ewen Fuller MacDonell was a nephew of J.D. MacArthur, the builder of the E.D. & B.C. Railway. He served as an officer in World War I from 1915-1919, first with the 73rd Highland Battalion, then 154th Glengarry Highlanders and 7th Battalion Canadian Railway troops. In 1919 he took a homestead at Rio Grande, Alberta. |
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| 0276.02 | Item – Rio Grande Store and Post Office | [1922] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
In 1920 Ewen MacDonell became the Rio Grande postmaster, and in 1921 he and Alex MacIntosh opened the first Rio Grande Store and Post Office. Supplies for the store were hauled by horse and wagon from Grande Prairie, 43 miles away. The supply trip took four days, two there and two back. Ewen and Alex also built two houses and a barn beside the store. |
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| 0276.03 | Item – Rio Grande Store | 1928 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Ewen MacDonell and friend in the doorway of the Rio Grande Store in the prosperous late 1920s. The new Rio Grande Store is being built on the left and a new 1928 Model A is parked in front. |
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| 0276.04 | Item – Rio Grande Store | 1928 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Close-up view of the front window of the first Rio Grande Store on October 8, 1928. Note the cream cans piled on the front step, waiting to be picked up. |
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| 0276.05 | Item – The New Rio Grande Store and Post Office | 1928 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
In about 1928, Ewen MacDonell built a new store and post office at Rio Grande, complete with a gas pump and living quarters over the store. In 1936 he sold this store to Joe Barrett and it was later destroyed by fire. |
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| 0276.06 | Item – Two Rio Grande Stores | 1928 | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
The first and second Rio Grande Stores, on the east side of the road at Rio Grande. |
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| 0276.07 | Item – Rio Grande, Alberta | [1930] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
The Rio Grande Store and Post Office and its small cluster of buildings and houses made up the east half of the community of Rio Grande. Across the road was St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and Rectory and the Rio Grande Hall. |
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| 0276.08 | Item – Rio Grande Bridge | [1930] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
Rio Grande Bridge over the Red Willow River just south of Rio Grande, Alberta. |
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| 0276.09 | Item – Rio Grande School | [1920] | 1 TIFF : b&w |
| Scope and content:
The Rio Grande School was built in 1918 on the SE 5-71-11-W6, on land donated by Walter Hill. |
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