08-026: The United Grain Growers in Dawson Creek

The elevator now known as Dawson Creek #1 was built in 1930 at a cost of $13,018. It was wired for electricity in 1939. During the first part of the war, two balloon-type annexes were built at this site — one in 1940 with a capacity of 43,000 bushels was built at a cost of $2,527. The other, built in 1941, cost $2,445 and had a capacity of 47,000 bushels. In 1954 a permanent cribbed annex was built — it had a capacity of 60,000 bushels and cost $21,500.

Our first elevator at the #2 site was purchased from the Gillespie Grain Company in 1943. A new 60,000-bushel elevator was built at that site in 1948. Two balloon-type annexes were also built — one in 1949 with a capacity of 60,000 bushels and the other in 1951 with a capacity of 80,000 bushels. Our Dawson Creek #3 elevator was purchased from Midland Pacific Grain in 1954 and the #4 elevator and annexes were purchased from National Grain in March 1972.

The following is a record of our Elevator Managers at each elevator: Mr. Sid Chilton was our first Elevator Manager at Dawson Creek #1. He was there from November 19th, 1930 to July 11th, 1933. He was followed by J.C. Hall who only remained for a couple of months. Mr. N.W. Gilliland was our next agent, and he remained until May 25th, 1936. Mr. S. Chilton returned at that time and stayed until March 29th, 1943 and was followed by Robert Seyker who bought grain for us until August 29th, 1945. Mr. Angus MacLellan was our next agent and he stayed at Dawson Creek #1 until April 21st, 1958. John Miller took over from Mr. MacLellan and stayed until April 1st, 1966. Our present Elevator Manager, Mr. Lou J. Wickberg, replaced Mr. Miller.

At Dawson Creek #2, Mr. E.B. Hamilton was our first agent. He did not remain in our employ very long. The next record we have starts on September 1st, 1947 when Mr. Sid Chilton took over Dawson Creek #2. He remained until August 25th, 1948 and was followed by Mr. D.R. Rule who stayed until March 24, 1952. After this Mr. Fred Horneland was our agent for a short time and was replaced by D.E. Ferris who was there until March 10th, 1954. Mr. Ferris was followed by our present Elevator Manager, Mr. Ed Johnston.

Our records at Dawson Creek #3 show Mr. E. Gasser as our first agent, starting on February 15th, 1954. He remained until July 15th, 1957 and was succeeded by Wayne Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds was transferred to another point on May 1st, 1965. Mr. Doug Spry was at Dawson Creek #3 until December 21st, 1971 when he was transferred to another point. Our present Elevator Manager, Mr. Mel Bruvold replaced Mr. Spry.

Just as a matter of interest, it is estimated that the United Grain Grower elevators in Dawson Creek have handled approximately 25,000,000 bushels of grain since we started in business here.