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.
This information is intended for
research purposes only.
