Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | The Big Bend Historical Committee fonds |
| Reference code: | 0532 |
| Date: | 1920-1981 (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 12 cm of textual records
19 photographs |
| Language: | English |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processed in April 2013 Added to new database June 2022 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
The Big Bend Historical Committee was formed in order to create a history of the area surrounding Blueberry Creek, Blueberry Mountain, Fourth Creek, Ksituan, Silver Valley, and Whitburn with the bend of the Peace River being the boundary to the north and including the townships 79-80, Ranges 5-9 and townships 81, 82, 83, Ranges 6-11, in all about 600 square miles. Families living in the area were asked to submit stories and students were also encouraged to research and write family histories. The Blueberry Mountain Goodwill Society helped sponsor the project along with grants from New Horizons and Alberta Culture. Wilma Bird was a main contact for story submissions and a large committee of volunteers did the typing and proofreading. The book was produced in 1981.
Custodial history
The records were passed on to the Spirit River Settlement Museum and donated to the South Peace Regional Archives in 2012.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of family histories, school and church histories, community services and activities histories and miscellaneous writings, news clippings and correspondence used for producing The Big Bend, a community history book covering the areas of Blueberry Creek, Blueberry Mountain, Fourth Creek, Ksituan, Silver Valley, and Whitburn.
Notes
Title notes
- Attributions and conjectures: Title of fonds based on contents.
Access points
- Textual record (documentary form)
- Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
Table of contents
0532.01, Family Histories, 1920-1981
0532.02, Community Services & Activities, 1981
0532.03, School & Church Histories, 1981
0532.04, Miscellaneous Records, 1981
Series descriptions
| Series 0532.01: Family Histories
Date: 1920-1981 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of original and/or edited copies of family stories arranged in alphabetical order by surname, and including 2 negatives and 17 photographs which accompany stories. Physical description: 10. 5 cm of textual records 19 photographs Access points: • Graphic material – photograph (documentary form) • Textual record (documentary form) |
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| File / item list | |||
| Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
| 0532.01.01 | Item – Group of Children | n.d. | 1 negative : b&w ; 1 x 2 in. |
| Scope and content:
Unidentified group of children, possibly school children, with an adult. |
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| 0532.01.02 | Item – Mr. Meldrum | n.d. | 1 negative : b&w ; 1 x 2 in. |
| Scope and content:
Mr. Meldrum sitting in a chair. |
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| 0532.01.03 | Item – Eleanor Burbee’s First Birthday | 1950 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
Eleanor Burbee’s first birthday. Written on back of photo “This is our log cabin Eleanor first birthday. You the only one at the party.” |
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| 0532.01.04 | Item – Eleanor Burbee’s Third Birthday | 1952 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Eleanor Burbee’s third birthday. Written on back of photo, “This is Eleanor’s third birthday and the caret (carriage?) that Bob built. Ken came home in it.” |
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| 0532.01.05 | Item – Group at Beaverlodge Experimental Farm | ca. 1945 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7 in. |
| Scope and content:
Group at Beaverlodge Experimental Farm. Back: Mr. & Mrs. Graham (Jean) Hanrahan, Miss McDonald, Martha Linsday, Florence Jeffery, Ann Graham, Mrs. Lomas, Mrs. Campbell, Marianne Richards, Jean Kebler, Margaret Caterer, Lin Jeffery, Rod McDonald, Herb Kebler. Front Row: Rev. Black with Wim? Graham, Mr. Meldrum, Wanda Lindsay with Leah Richards. Jesse Caterer, ? Kebler, Jim Graham, Jack Richards. In 1954 the farm of Jesse and Margaret Caterer was chosen as an Illustration Station by the Experimental Farm Service. |
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| 0532.01.06 | Item – Earle Hoover on His Horse | n.d. | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.5 x 4.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Earle Hoover as a child on his thorough-bred horse in front of his home in Endiang, AB. |
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| 0532.01.07 | Item – Steve and Rod McDonald and Keay’s Dog Bay | 1922 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.5 x 4.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Blueberry Mountain homesteading days: Steve and Rod McDonald and Keay’s dog “Bay”. |
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| 0532.01.08 | Item – Keay’s Barn and Stock in Winter | 1922 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.5 x 4.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Blueberry Mountain homesteading days: Keay’s barn and stock in winter. |
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| 0532.01.09 | Item – The Keay Homestead in Summer | 1920 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.5 x 5.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Blueberry Mountain homesteading days: Keay’s homestead showing cattle feeding by a pond. |
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| 0532.01.10 | Item – Steve Keay and Daughter, Beth | 1921 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.5 x 4.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Blueberry Mountain homesteading days: Steve Keay holding daughter, Beth, in the doorway of their home. |
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| 0532.01.11 | Item – Margaret Keay | 1921 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.5 x 5.5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Blueberry Mountain homesteading days: Margaret Keay standing by the doorway of their barn greeting their three horses. |
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| 0532.01.12 | Item – Joe Plantinga’s Red Shack | 1956 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
Joe Plantinga’s first home in Fourth Creek, a red shack. |
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| 0532.01.13 | Item – Joe Plantinga’s Crop Under Snow | 1957 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
Joe Plantinga’s crop under snow on Sept. 4, 1957 on E 1/2 34-82-8-W6. |
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| 0532.01.14 | Item – Joe Plantinga’s Barn | 1960 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 3 in. |
| Scope and content:
Joe Plantinga’s barn built in 1960. |
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| 0532.01.15-.18 | Item – Rev. J. Alan Munro Returns to Blueberry Mountain | 1966 | 4 photographs : b&w ; 4 x 6 in. |
| Scope and content:
Paper copies of 4 photographs taken on the return visit of Rev. J. Alan Munro, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Canada to the Presbyterian Church congregation at Blueberry Mountain in 1966. Rev. Munro had visited the area in 1948 and encouraged and advised the congregation in their efforts to build a church. The church was named after him. Photos show the church building, Rod MacDonald, Rev. Munro, E.F. Iddins, Rev. Harold Grove (Brownvale) |
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| 0532.01.19 | Item – Blueberry Mountain Women’s Missionary Society | 1940 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. |
| Scope and content:
A group photograph of the Women’s Missionary Society of Munro Presbyterian Church in Blueberry Mountain. Photograph from Graeme Thomlinson. |
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| Series 0532.02: Community Services & Activities
Date: 1981 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of stories related to community clubs and projects, industries and activities, including the Blueberry Mountain sawmill, Junior Forest Wardens, Savanna Rec-Plex, Moonshine Lake Park, Fourth Creek Ladies Club, Blueberry Mountain WMS Auxiliary Club, Blueberry Mountain Goodwill Society, Post Offices, and District Nursing (including a story about nurse Alma Ferrier. Physical description: 0.5 cm of textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) |
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| Series 0532.03: School & Church Histories
Date: 1981 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series consists of written histories of Savanna School, Silver Valley School, Blueberry Mountain School, Fourth Creek School, St Mary’s Greek Catholic Church, and Munro Presbyterian Church, Physical description: 0.5 cm of textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) |
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| Series 0532.04: Miscellaneous Records
Date: 1981 (date of creation) Scope and content: The series includes copies of the book’s introductory pages, a poem, news clippings and correspondence, and a list of veterans from WWI returning to the Blueberry Mountain area. Physical description: 5 cm of textual records Access points: • Textual record (documentary form) |
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