05-003: Calendar of Peace Country Milestones

May 6, 1930-first issue of the Peace River Block News comes off the press in Rolla, B.C. Charles S. Kitchen is the publisher.
May 27, 1930-two carloads of creamery cows for patrons of Pouce Coupe Co-operative Creamery arrived in Hythe and were driven to Pouce Coupe to be distributed to various parts of the district.
June 3, 1930-Peace River Outlet promised within a year by Premier King.
June 17, 1930 – “D.A. Thomas”-stern-wheel steamer on the Peace River to be scrapped.
July 11, 1930-First Annual Plowing Match on Dan Abel’s farm.
August 1, 1930- Peace River Block to be taken over by British Columbia.
July, 1930-Canadian Chautauqua at Pouce Coupe much enjoyed.
August 12, 1930-Hudson’s Hope is busy seaplane port, as two large Junkers seaplanes land.
September 29, 1930-Townsite of Dawson Creek placed on market.
October 28, 1930-Grain prices at Dawson Creek: No. 1 Wheat sold at 44c per bu., and 2CW oats at 15c per bu.
November, 1930-Talking pictures open at Star Theatre in Rolla. See “Honey” starring Nancy Carroll.
November 11, 1930-The following have moved to the new Dawson Creek townsite: J.N. Bond, W. Harris, Frontier Lumber Co., Frank DeWetter’s Meat Market, Palace Cafe, Mr. Gloag, W.O. Harper’s Warehouse. The Co-op Store is preparing to move. Mr. McQueen has the contract.
December 2, 1930-Five elevators completed. Reasbeck’s hotel on the way to the new town. Winter road will be left open across Wertenbaker’s place to the new town.
December 9, 1930-Trelle again the Wheat King at Chicago Fair.
December 29, 1930-Driving the Golden Spike at the end of the steel by Mrs. Fred Chase and Frank DeWetter.
January 15, 1931-6:30 p.m.-First passenger train arrives in Dawson Creek.
February, 1931-Dedication of first Presbyterian Church in Block at Riverside. Plan building of Catholic Church in Dawson Creek.
March 17, 1931-Father Grouard dies at age of 91. Served 70 years as a missionary in north.
March, 1931-House warming at W.B. Streeper’s (Streeper Flats). All night affair. Dancing, breakfast, skating.
March 31, 1931-Mrs. E. Crawford gave talk on the Peace River in Empress Hotel, Victoria.
May 12, 1931- 30 cars of settlers’ effects have been unloaded at Dawson Creek.
May 2, 1931-Mrs. F.B. Higens attended W.I. in a cutter and found sleighing not at all difficult.
June, 1931-Race track and sports ground prepared for Stampede, July 3 and 4. Only agricultural area in Canada still free from noxious weeds is the Peace River Block.
July 28, 1931-Providence Hospital at Fort St. John nearing completion.
July 31, 1931-Laying the corner stone of United Church in Dawson Creek.
August 30, 1931- New Anglican Church at Rolla dedicated.
September, 1931-Dawson Creek established High School classes.
September, 1931-John Thorsby of Rolla threshed 1260 bushels of wheat from 21 acres.
October 13, 1931-Lizards, thousands of years old, found in coal mine at Hudson Hope.
October 27, 1931-Pouce Coupe to be first incorporated village in Block.
November 7, 1931-Phillips Mining Co. (flour) opened at Fort St. John.
November, 1931-New school opened in Dawson Creek. Dawson Creek Athletic Association formed.
January 12, 1932-New Gateway to Great Bear Lake. Mining area via Dawson Creek and Fort St. John to Nelson River-can reach field 4 to 6 weeks earlier.
January 8, 1932-Dr. Watson, Fred Haskins, and Thomas Jamieson are the commissioners of Pouce Coupe-first town to be incorporated in the Block.
January 9, 1932- 15th anniversary of first white wedding solemnized in B.C. Block that of Mr. and Mrs. H.G. Atkinson.
April, 1932-P.R.B. News moving plant to Dawson Creek.
April, 1932-Col. “Jim” Cornwall will speak at the different towns north of river on “Coast Outlet” and “Great Bear Lake Mining Proposition”.
May 16, 1932-No more preemptions in the Peace River Block.
July, 1932-“On to the Coast” Association formed at Pouce Coupe and Dawson Creek.
August, 1932-General Hospital Auxiliary stage Dawson Creek’s first barbecue.
September, 1932-Sisters of Providence take over New General Hospital built at Dawson Creek. Legion Branch organized in Dawson Creek.
October, 1932-Miss Nancy Dunn, under the Red Cross, at the request of the Sunset Prairie Women’s Institute, established a nursing service serving twelve districts. Schools are visited once each month, and family clinics are held in each of the 12 districts.
November, 1932-Talkies come to Dawson Creek. 119 pounds of crabapples and 19 pounds of apples were produced at the Beaverlodge Experimental Station.
November, 1932-Bedeaux hunting party largest to leave Hudson’s Hope.
November 30, 1932-Official opening at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
December, 1932-Herman Trelle wins 4th time as Wheat King at Chicago.
December 30, 1932-Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Linklater is first child born at new hospital in Dawson Creek.
January 10, 1933-Dr. McRae of Hythe was first to use fluoroscope at St. Joseph’s. X-rayed Ace Comstock’s arm. Willowbrook has changed from “hardtimes dances” to “good time” dances.
February, 1933-Bob Souter of Arras, short of feed for his sheep (almost 100) hand shoveled 3 miles of snow off open spaces so his flock could graze.
June, 1933-Jack Neys of Sexsmith landed his plane at Dawson Creek on Tuesday, en route to Esswein ranch at East Pine for fishing.
August, 1933-Earl and Countess of Bessborough visit Block centers.
September 7, 1933-Opening of high level bridge over the Dawson Creek, 2 1/2 miles north of Pouce Coupe.
January 2, 1934-Pouce Coupe Bachelors give first annual banquet at Hart Hotel-in appreciation of the hospitality enjoyed by them in the village homes.
January, 1934-Nurse Nancy Dunn of Sunset Prairie, in King’s New Year Honor list. Awarded M.B.E.
January 8, 1934-First charter for Boy Scouts in Dawson Creek presented to Bobby Harper, Patrol Leader.
February, 1934-Dawson Creek fight fans treated to excellent series of bouts-among them, Dunham vs. Fraser.
March, 1934-Seed grain distributed from Pouce and Dawson to farmers throughout the Block.
April, 1934-Red Cross outpost established at Cecil Lake.
Easter, 1934-First South Peace River Teachers’ Convention was held at Pouce.
May 1, 1934-Mr. and Mrs. Clark “mushed” 300 miles in severest winter weather with 8-week old baby, to Fort Nelson from Pouce Coupe. Trip from Fort St. John to Fort Nelson took from December 18 to January 6.
June, 1934-Miss LaPage of Edmonton arrived in Dawson last Tuesday with a permanent waving machine. This is the reason for the light plant running all day. British Columbia Economic Council will study Peace River Development. Dawson Creek makes airport on D.C.A.A. property south of village. Field is 1500 feet by 300 feet. Jack Hartley makes over $1.00 per hour, washing gold at bars on the Peace near Rolla Landing.
July, 1934-Chariot races gives stampede visitors some real thrills. Opening of Stewart Flats Institute Hall at Groundbirch. First Old-Timers Roundup at Cutbank Bridge on Fort St. John Highway.
September, 1934-Bedeaux party, attempting to find a tractor route from Edmonton via Fort St. John to Telegraph Creek, have abandoned tractors and are proceeding on horseback.
October, 1934-Four experimental consolidated school units were created from 39 school districts. It is expected that there will be great savings in administrative costs, and also an equalization of mill rates throughout the district.
October 14, 1934-Carload of vegetables left Block for Sibbald, Alta.
October 14, 1934-Jonas Webber wins Light Heavyweight bout from Ed Patterson.
November, 1934-Old Timers decide to build Log Cabin in Dawson Creek.
December 10, 1934-Geo Hiffernan wins first prize for Hard Red Spring Wheat at Vancouver Seed Grain Fair.
January, 1935-Old Timers’ Association holds big dance at Christmas. Mrs. Edwards dances jigs.
January, 1935-Tommy Hargreaves operates snowmobile between Fort St. John and Dawson Creek. Maximum speed is 20 miles per hour. Fred Hasler, old-timer, dies as result of accident at Lone Prairie.
March, 1935-Steers sell as high as $6.35 per 100 pounds. Busiest weekend ever. 350 teams were in town, Friday and Saturday. (Dawson Creek).
October, 1952-Honey Extracting Plant to be established in Dawson Creek.
November 14, 1952-Open forum held – “should Dawson Creek become a city?”
February, 1953-Federal building slated for Dawson Creek.
February, 1953-Jaycees inaugurated in Fort St. John.
March, 1953-Anne Paul of Dawson Creek wins trip to Coronation. Canucks win Wheat Belt Championship.
April, 1953-South Peace Agriculture Students win Future Farmers of Canada awards at Creston, B.C. Dawson Creek Pipe Band is invited to attend P.N.E., Vancouver.
May, 1953-Bus service to Prince George commences.
June, 1953-Largest Propane plant in Western Canada to be erected in Dawson Creek.
June 20, 1953-Dawson Creek’s first SoapBox Derby held.
July 16, 1953-Oil refinery site chosen at Dawson Creek.
August 7 and 8, 1953-First Exhibition and Fall Fair at Dawson Creek.
September, 1953-Pete Rissling finds prehistoric Ammonite Fossil near Peace River.
January 30, 1954-Official opening of new Pouce Coupe Hospital.
February, 1954-First load of cattle shipped over Hart Highway by truck to Vancouver.
April, 1954-One of the first persons from Dawson Creek to come over new Whitecourt-Valleyview cut-off was Don Phillips of Aspol Motors. Reports 30 miles to complete road.
April, 1954-Million dollar school program proposed for Peace River South.
May, 1954-Oddfellows and Rebekahs sponsor “United Nations Concert” to raise funds to send student to New York on United Nations Pilgrimage for youth. Rod Calverley wins trip this year.
April 17, 1954-Mr. and Mrs. F.E. Webb celebrated Golden Wedding. Came to Rolla in 1928.
June, 1954-P.G.E. route survey crews start work in district.
June 28, 1954-First oil well 45 miles from Fort St. John – Pacific West Buick No. 3.
July, 1954-Fort St. John No. 23 well is one of largest volume gas wells in Canada.
August, 1954-Fort St. John is first village to use B.C.’s natural gas. Gas from Dawson Creek comes from Alberta.
September 3, 1954-5000th member joins Lake View Credit Union.
October 28, 1954-First “Alaska Music Trail” performance. Artist is Z. Nelsova, a Canadian cellist.
October, 1954-Peggy Tiegs and Alvin Germain of North Pine represent B.C. in National 4-H Club Competitions at Toronto Royal winter Fair.
October 24, 1954-First United Church turns sod for new Church. Thomas Thompson officiated, and Rev. E.S. Reikie was in charge of the service.
November 24, 1954-Pouce Coupe residents welcome gas. Has distinction of being smallest B.C. village with all the services.
January, 1955-Parking meters in operation in Dawson Creek.
February, 1955-First commercial oil well brought in at Boundary Lake.
April, 1955-Frank Breault won the gold award at the Future Farmers of Canada conference.
May, 1955-Dawson Creek chosen as western anchor of mid-Canada defense line.
August, 1955-Dawson Creek again named as top primary grain shipping point.
September, 1955-School enrollment tops 2,000. Government chooses Pine Pass for extension of P.G.E. to Peace River district.
October, 1955-Official opening of Valleyview cut-off on highway to Edmonton.
November, 1955-Dawson Creek village commissioners extend boundary of village to take in four square miles.
January, 1956-Construction of Westcoast Gas Pipe Line to coast begun.
February, 1956-Mrs. Jane Fynn, pioneer who came over the Edson Trail in 1913, passes away.
March 21, 1956-Imperial Oil office staff moves into new headquarters building in Dawson Creek.
March, 1956-Mrs. Pat Underhill wins Woman’s North American Speed Skating title.
April, 1956-Lake View is largest community Credit Union on the continent.
April 13, 1956-Hon. Ray Williston, Minister of Education, opens new Grandview Elementary School.
May, 1956-Contract signed for construction of $1 800 000 sulfur manufacturing plant at Taylor, B.C.
May, 1956-D.C.A.A. plan to sell bonds to install artificial ice in Arena and Curling Rink. East Pouce Coupe and Baytree residents honor 18 pioneers of the district at a banquet.
June 7, 1956-Dutton Williams start laying natural gas pipeline from the Peace River to lower B.C. and U.S. points. Slight damage to X-L refinery caused by fire.
July 1, 1956-Northwest Telephone takes over Federal System.
August, 1956-Silver Jubilee of the founding of the present town site of Dawson Creek. First building in old town belonged to Tom Raye who had a trading post in 1919. The Dawson Co-op Union later used this. J. Garneau lived in a tent – first dweller on present townsite in 1930.
August, 1956-Peace River exhibit wins second prize at P.N.E.
September, 1956-Aerial river crossings go ahead on Westcoast Natural Gas Pipe Line. Over 3,300 students enrolled in South Peace School District 59.
October, 1956-Direct Telephone communications with Prince George. Twelve reindeer pass through Dawson Creek from Alaska to California. Northern Freightways sold to Canadian Freightways, but named retained. Expect building permits in Dawson Creek to exceed five million by year’s end. Largest in Canada. Sales top one million dollars.
December 24, 1956-Memorial Arena destroyed in spectacular morning fire.
January 31, 1957-Thirteen babies in St. Joseph’s hospital nursery, which is equipped for only eight.
February 20, 1957-Highway Motors destroyed by fire.
March 14, 1957-Citizenship award presented to Ralph Thomsen.
March, 1957-New curling rink opened in Dawson Creek.
April, 1957-Radio telephone links Dawson Creek with Vancouver. Ralph Atkinson, Jr. again wins Western Bowling Title.
May 2, 1957-Jean Paul St. Laurent officiates at corner-stone ceremony of the new Federal Building.
May 23, 1957-Public Library Commission Building opened by Minister of Education.
June 8, 1957-Opening of Rotary Harbour for Senior Citizens.
June 12, 1957-Pouce Coupe telephone subscribers first to get new dial system.
August 29, 1957-Arras store destroyed by fire. Alaska Highway paving contract awarded to Poole Construction.
September, 1957-Automatic phones now in operation in Dawson Creek.
October, 1957-Taylor is scene of history-making event as pipeline terminus is opened.
October 16, 1957-Peace River bridge collapses after 14 years.
October, 1957-Gas found at 2700 feet on Hans Larsen’s farm five miles north of Dawson Creek.
December, 1957-Roger Forsyth becomes Dawson Creek’s first Mayor.
January 6, 1958-Inauguration ceremony as Dawson Creek becomes B.C.’s Centennial City.

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