Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada
Multiple Archive Picture Pages, Index Page
Bankers and Grain Dealers spend a night in Estevan. Now here is a Train load of Rich People looking for places to spend their money.
On the train:
July 4-5, (Monday-Tuesday) 1949 Estevan Exhibition almost broke record attendance of 1948. 8,152 Gate Attendance. 6,051 Grandstand admissions. 8,279 was the record gate attendance in 1948. Improvements they made: regrouping livestock barns spectators stand at livestock ring improved grandstand entrance blacktop surfacing in front of grandstand permanent eating booths lighting in the parking areas and machinery exhibits Buck Steele's “Cavalcade of Stars” who usually did the afternoon shows, and Gus Sun's “Stars of Canada” who usually did the evening shows, were the grandstand attractions. Gus Sun b- Oct 7, 1868- d- Oct 1, 1959 was a vaudeville performer, Juggler, and Minstrel, and became owner of the Gus Sun Circuit. “Wallace Bros. Shows of Canada” managed by J. P. Sullivan, James Patrick (Jimmy) Sullivan b- 1889 in Fargo ND furnished the midway In 1955 Sullivan changed the name of Wallace Bros. Shows of Canada to “World's Finest Shows”. It still travelled by rail, using 50 large boxcars, seven Pullman cars and more than 30 flatcars. The majority of the cars were owned by the show, making it the largest privately owned railway in the country. In 1963 they sold out to “Conklin Shows”
Progress printed these articles Good Templar Lodge #78 lately organized is in a flourishing condition It's members number over thirty, and the new ones are constantly being initiated. Mr. F. T. Morton is the worthy Chief. Inspector Perry was here last Friday, and subjected the Police outfit to a thorough Inspection Aylesworth Bowen Perry, C.M.G. NWMP b- Aug 21, 1860 at Violet, ON d- Feb 14, 1956, in Ottawa, ON 1889-1897 in charge of Regina Depot served as the 6th Commissioner of RCMP from Aug. 1, 1900, to Mar. 31, 1923. A Mr. George McKimney just finished the quarantine corrals for a shipment of 300 cattle from the Gretna Quarantine station. They found a skeleton of a man, frozen to death 25 miles SE of Estevan near the Dirt Hills, it was found by a Norwegian. There was a little money, some papers, and a small Bible found in his pockets. Body was identified as Jack Lee
June 20, 1903- Willard Parker Anderson appointed Justice of the Peace of Estevan, Assiniboia.
Days when the track was where Yardley Place is today, adjacent to King St. In the background you can see the tall vertical wood picket fence that surrounded the track. Also seen in background is the Estevan Water Tower. Picture courtesy my buddy Wayne Wagner. Ex Hillsider like myself.|
2 Pictures above from Lynn (nee Cooley) Kindopp. From her Grandfather, Henry Wilson's collection. One on left was a glass plate photo. Lynn tells me he was a carpenter in Estevan, and built many houses in the town. Thanks for these Lynn.
Some of the pictures above were sent to me by Larry Preddy who received them from Alice Pawson. They were taken by J. Hool and sons, but I am unable to find this firm to get permission to print the pics here Others I have found in my travels or were in my Mom's scrapbooks. If any have a legitimate copyright please let me know, and I will remove them.
Estevan Area map, courtesy Grant Walker, CA
Orville Rawson Henderson
b- June 4,1906, in Alameda SK
d- May 11, 1970
Buried in Estevan City Cemetery
Father- Thomas Harry Henderson
b- May 1874 in Mulnure, ON
Mother- Jemima Elizabeth Rawson
b- Dec 1875 in ON
Spouse Elizabeth Jepson
Orville attended ECI
Orville had a brother
Vanamber (Amber) Henry Henderson
b- July 18, 1900, in Morden MB
and a Sister-
Merle Virginia Henderson
b- Sept 23, 1902 in Morden MB
Arthur Bertram Stuart
b- July 29, 1870 in London England
(b- 1871 in one record)
d- June 15, 1960
buried in Estevan City Cemetery
1904 he came to Gainsborough as the new Station Agent
wife- Irene Johnson Sadler
they were married in Gainsborough SK in 1905
1915-1916 and 1917 he was Secretary Treasurer for the RM of Coalfields No 4 with offices at Bienfait
Family moved to Estevan in 1918
In 1918 he took the position of Town Clerk and Treasurer in Estevan
He was the Town Clerk that sent the telegram to Bienfait, during the miner's strike
He was Secretary-Treasurer of Estevan for 25 years when he retired in Dec 31, 1947,
and Miss Nora Mather took over the position from him.
she was Arthur's assistant for 15 years before that.
Edith Kee had a millinery shop on 12th Ave, as well a member of the Baptist Church
Teacher of the Fidelis class of 1920
Held the Noble Grand title of the Empress Rebekah No. 23
Her sister Jessie Kee was a teacher in Estevan
Her sister Maud Kee was a dressmaker in the shop on 12th ave.
Ann (Annie) Margaret Sava
b- 1917 probably in Estevan
d- Mar 15, 1944
buried in Estevan City Cemetery
Velma M. Ingram
b- 1917 in Estevan
married Norman McMillan
Velma Ingram won the Garner shield at ECI
for Public Speaking 2 years in a row, 1932-33
After the Green family sold the Palace Cafe, later to become the Canada Cafe, Mrs. Green and Joe Kraft (deceased 1948)
went on to build and operate the “Princess Cafe” in 1925. It was located in the Creighton Block. (Now the Wicklow Center),
The Princess Cafe was another ECI Alumni Hangout. They operated the cafe until 1946, and then sold it to the Jack Ing family.
The Jung family were also involved in this Cafe.
Located on south side of 4th St. Middle of the block, between 12th and 13th Ave. Lindsay and Patterson operated the first General Store here in 1893. Bought out by Mr. H. King who operated it as a General Store. It later became the Palace Cafe, then the Canada Cafe.
While I went to ECI, in mid 60's, it was still the Canada Cafe.
The Postcard Pictures below were sent to me by Volker Tobias, who moved from Germany in May 2007, and worked as a welder for Waterflood (Dave Heier). He not only was kind enough to send these to share here, he corrected one of my captions, and added to another. Someone who is new to the country, has more interest in the old Estevan history, than some that have lived there all their life. I can't thank him enough. And glad he has an interest in saving the history as I do. Thanks again Volker!
Aerial view of 5th st. in foreground, and 4th street to the south, looking south.
Highway 47 can be seen angling off to the east, heading down the valley.
Valleyview School can be seen on the left (A).
It was built in 1912, by John Phillips.
Photo taken from a Grain Elevator, on corner of 5th and 6th, just east of Hwy 47.
Rogers Lumber Yards Ltd (D)., would have been Beaver Lumber, in the 60's-90's? , now Home Hardware -ca 2009
Henry Abraham Nash Blacksmith shop on left (B), is actually on the south side of 5th st., hard to tell in this photo.
He was born in Mar 1865 in Ontario.
Shown as a blacksmith in 1911 census.
I believe (C) is the Fisher House on 1st st., again it is hard to verify, as 3D distance in these old photos is distorted.
And it appears I was distorted when I wrote the line above.
As Ric Littefield spotted in June 2018, the Fisher House is West of Highway 47, so who knows whose house this was. Sorry for any confusion.
Thanks for the Correction Ric.
This photo is taken looking SE.
The taller building with 6 upstairs windows (P) is really a fairly wide building, shrunk down with this camera view,
but it is actually on the SW corner of 12th ave. and 4th st, and was P.C. Duncan, later W. R. Whitby's hardware store,
Today (2009) this is the location of the Royal Bank. Originally owned, by P. C. Duncan It was a feed store, then General Store.
On the left side, at the 2nd telephone pole, just before the board fenced lot (H), which became the Bank of Montreal (H), located at 1205 4th st.
we have Stockwells Hardware (G). Built in 1892 out of stone, it is one of the oldest buildings in Estevan.
Owned by J. R. Stockwell who died in 1900. Perry's Hardware became part of this building. Perry's Hardware was first called Stockwell and Perry.
The fenced lot is 1201 4th st, (H) address of the Bank of Montreal today.
P.C. Duncan/ Whitby Hardware building, (L)
It is looking east, with the First Water Tower (G) behind the Old City Hall (E) visible,
also on the right, built in 1910, the front of the First Anglican Church (L) in Estevan, Made from Stone, by Mr. George Rooks,
St. Matthew Anglican Church, built in 1895, which was on the NE corner of 12th Ave. and 3rd st.
The rectory is shown to the left of it here. (K) When they built the new church, St. Giles Anglican Church, in 1920, they just switched locations.
The back of a Church, (M) can be seen across 12th Ave from St Giles. It was built in 1903 as the Trinity Methodist Church.
Extended in 1907. This is the view in this photo. In 1921 it became the United Church of Estevan, then St Paul's United Church in 1931.
It again was extended in 1949.
It has been torn down, and the Royal Bank parking lot is there now (2009)
Top of the Bank Of Hamilton building, with sign, (F) is visible, where the CIBC bank is today (2009).
Valleyview School is seen in the distance. (H)
The Fisher House (I) is seen to the right of Valleyview, located on 1st St.
J is an unknown business. Livery?
(B) looks like CPR round house area.
(C) Unknown business, I know I have seen a picture and description, but not clear to me now.
Estevan's first school was above the Lindsay and Patterson General store, (D) later site of Greens Music Shop.
Mr. Wilson was the first teacher.
3rd building with a sloped roof in the foreground middle, would have been that building. Students entered from the back.
The right side of the picture, on 3rd st. shows a stone building. (N) see rooks house below
NOT visible, but would be on the right side, is the old stone Presbyterian Church.
Too bad the camera didn't pick that up. Maybe there is another Postcard with this view.
Every time I look at these old photos, I see something new.
1213-3rd Street, George Rooks House (photos Aug 2009) construction started spring 1893.Built by George Rooks as his home, this was Estevan's 2nd Temporary school. Melvin Rooks lived here as well. Home of Robert Rooks today (2009)
North side 1200 block, 3rd St in Estevan, ca 1912, E. R. Davis Postcard, courtesy Grant Walker. Rook's house on right.
Also note- on the side of the first building this poster, (A)
The Al G. Barnes Circus is coming to Estevan, on Saturday, June 14th!
Get your tickets now! I see lions and tigers at least. Al G. Barnes Circus was an American circus operating from 1895-1929, owned by Alpheus George Barnes Stonehouse. After a couple amalgamations, it became part of Ringling Brothers Circus. It is very likely, Andrew King, who owned, Rouleau Enterprise, and Enterprise Show Prints in Rouleau (Dog River?) Saskatchewan, later the Estevan Mercury, and King Show Prints of Estevan, made this large building size poster in Rouleau. They made thousands of Circus posters from 1911-1958, and were known everywhere in North America. There is a permanent display of this man's work, In the Exhibition Center, Art Gallery, east end of 4th st. In my Nor west farmer newspaper online, is a story about Mr King, and the farm he was raised on.
These postcards I had never seen before. The quality is super. Thanks to Volker Tobias for sending them to me.
I also want to give credit to the old photographers, who took these photos, and turned them into postcards.
see my Joseph H. Hool Bio page
1921 Davis family were living in Burnaby BC
7 children, 3 daughters, 4 sons.
Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada
It was built in 1905, and can be seen in the distance (D), with it's distinctive porch posts, and beautiful stone work. Stonework by 2 of Estevan's finest stone masons, George Rooks and John Phillips. Architect O. M. Akers, W. F. Hagen Contractor. There was an Estevan citizen, Mr. Akers on First Library Board.
Mr. James Alpin Smith Served in 2nd Bn, CMR, He served in the Boer War, Reg #294, Canadian Mounted Rifles, enlisted Jan 6, 1900, discharged Jan 14, 1901. He was awarded Queen's Medal with 4 clasps. Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Cape Colony, and Orange Free State. He was a Sergeant in the NWMP at Macleod, NWT, Reg #1716, age 31, when he enlisted in the Boer War. Dec 29, 1899 he had 14 years in the NWMP. 5ft, 9in tall. Per 1907 article he was a member of the NWMP with Sergeant Lett, and a Rev. I. T. Stewart, from Gainsborough. Referred to as “Jim the Mounty”. 1905 he resigned, and ran the Gov't Liquor store. He was the First S.S.R. Commanding Officer. Shown as Colonel Smith in one article, and Lt. Colonel in a 1937 article. He also owned the Smith Block, on 12th Ave., just south of the old International Hotel, between 5th and 4th st in Estevan. He was voted Mayor of Estevan in 1913. In 1911 Census he was a Wholesale wine and spirit merchant. James was President of the Estevan Exhibition Assoc.- 1916-1920 No children shown, wonder why such a big house for 2? This house was also once owned by the Keith Irvine family, who owned Irvine Drugs in Estevan. A family of 5 children lived in the house at that time. James Smith also was the First Manager of the Estevan Progress newspaper from 1910-1912
His wife was Lillian Frances Smith, nee Moreash.
James Alpin Smith's Father- David Smith,
2nd house visible on left B, built in 1905, at 1226 2nd st., was Mr John Phillips family home.
3rd house on left (C), with just the roof, with dormer, visible, was also built in 1905, at 1234 2nd St.
It was the Alexander Edward McKay home.
The House just past Mr Smith's home (E), with only the roof visible, in the distance, is at 1318 2nd St., owned by Harry Kelly Family, * built around 1910.
Top of ECI can be seen in the distance, over the houses on the left (F)
Beyond ECI, not seen in the picture, in the ravine is the Big Coal Mine, operated as The Dominion Coal Company.
Postcards of Houses On Third St., 1300 block From 13th Ave NW towards Westview South side of the street. 3rd house from left, in row above, Richard Kisbey Home
Aug 16, 1892, Dominion Express Company, opens an office in Estevan
Aug 22, 1892, The Estevan boom continues
Jan 13, 1893, Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) held their first recruiting meeting in Estevan
Mr. D. M. Card D.S.C.R. gave the presentation
They are divided into 3 Levels
Lower Court, which was being formed here, High Courts is the 2nd level, and Supreme Court the highest.
Supreme Chief Ranger the highest position, It appears Mr. Card, held the highest office.
a 1922 Estevan Bicycle License #81
I've had some unusual photos sent to me before, but this one takes the cake.
Where did it hang from?
When I lived in Estevan I had a bike license, that looked like a mini version of a car license.
Photo sent to me by Grant Walker, from Studio City, LA
3rd St looking West, from 12th Ave., 1924
Methodist, later St Paul's United Church, on right, old Stone Church on left
Photo courtesy C. Brace, from the Norman L. McLeod Collection
12th Ave looking south, 1924
International Hotel on right, Empire Hotel on left. (See my Hotel Page for more info)
Photo courtesy C. Brace, from the Norman L. McLeod Collection
Post Office, Federal Customs Office, and part of south side of 4th st, 1924
Joe Hool Photo.
Photo courtesy C. Brace, from the Norman L. McLeod Collection
Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada
First 4 Postcards below were sent to me with Thanks, by Mrs Jean Dornian, of Liberty SK
who lived with her husband John in Estevan from 1948-1988.
CCF Cookbook, 1947 Edition
Estevan Ads on right: Gedak Bros., McBride's Store, Mandel & Co., Quist's Groceteria, Clasky & Co., Estevan Motors, S. Mork Insurance Agency, Midale Creamery, Gow's Bakery, Cannington Constituency of Saskatchewan, Charles D. Cuming MLA, Kelvington Provincial Constituency.
Note- Estevan Motors Ltd, was started by Robert Sands in 1936, and still in business today in the same location, owned by descendants of the Sand family (2017)
Contributed by Jane McElwee Thom (Jan 2013)
June 1912 postcard, no 153, Family arriving from Nebraska to Estevan
Everything they owned was packed into these 2 wagons, as well as extra horses for pulling the wagons. Can't pin down what street this was taken on. If you can figure it out, let me know please. Postcard was originally sent to Jason Eberle, Briercrest SK.
contributed by Grant Walker, Studio City, CA
“Wolsey & Breeze” were a new Implement dealer in Estevan in 1906
doing research on this name, I found the son of the owner below that was born in Estevan, but was a disgusting person in life. his short bio is below.
William August Wolsey (born Woolsey, used Wolsey in Canada)
b- July 29, 1870 (shown age 38 in 1906), in Occoman, MN, USA
d- May 3, 1950 in Marion, Oregon, USA
family immigrated in 1900 (or 1898?) to Canada
1916 shown as Post Master in Torquay SK
1921 he is in Town of Francis, weyburn area, shown as a watchmaker, immigrating in 1898
I show a William A. Woolsey married a Minnie Harder, July 12, 1902 in Meeker, but name has 2 o's here, but pretty sure same man.
son of Allen S. Wolsey, b- age 30 in 1875, in NY, USA, and mother- Ellen Woolsey, nee Woster, age 27 in 1875 in Wisconsin USA
married Minnie Harder
b- age 38 in USA
d-
daughter- Minnie Wolsey, age 13 in 1906, born in USA
had a son William Franklin Wolsey, b- July 4, 1903 in Estevan SK, d- Jan 10, 1973 Houston, Harris, Texas, USA, pretended to be Archbishop John 1, of the cult, Temple of the more Abundant Life, charged with bigamy, and wife abuse, and extortion in the US, fled Canada in 1960. He was alleged to have abused children on the site. this was not a nice guy. went under many alias. Supposedly served in Canadian Army in WWII. 1940 he was charged and was going to be sentenced to 1 or 2 years in state jail for abandonment of his wife and 4 children, 9 years before. the judge wanted to give him 10 years, that is how bad he was. He married twice at that time, with no divorce in between. Assumed name of Dr. Bennett Biopsycologist. He was a former South Milwaukee labourer. In 1951 he showed himself as Dr. William Franklin Wolsey, with the following title letters underneath, BP D, DD, Sc M, Ph D. and all I am sure was pure BS. He just made up a life. I even have trouble researching jerks like this.
daughter- Minnie Verona Louise Wolsey, b- Sept 26, 1906, Estevan SK
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