Showing 153 results

authority records
Arthur Alexander Dennys
MS 82 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Family · 1894-1942

Arthur Alexander Dennys was born in India in 1894. He immigrated to Canada from England in 1912, travelling across the Atlantic in the wake of the Titanic. After arriving in Salmon Arm he went into partnership with Bryan Heaney, purchasing farmland from F.A. McLeod.

Dennys wrote diaries of his life as a farmer. He married Joyce Mary Wright of Canoe in 1914 and the couple had two sons, Ronald and Kenneth.

In 1926 Dennys gave up farming and moved his family to Vernon, BC. There he assisted Dr. E.R. Buckell, at the Dominion Department of Agriculture, doing experiments and studying fruit insects until his unexpected death September 9, 1942. Dennys’ death was thought to be complicated by arsenic poisoning attributed to exposure to arsenic during experiments at work.

Joyce Mary Dennys passed away January 8, 1995 at the age of 97. She was a long time member of All Saints Anglican Church and the North Okanagan Naturalist Club. Joyce trained as a school teacher and taught for several years. In Vernon she was employed as an accountant with William Arnott Jewellers.

Arthur Alexander Dennys
MS 82 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Family · 1894-1942

Arthur Alexander Dennys was born in India in 1894. He immigrated to Canada from England in 1912, travelling across the Atlantic in the wake of the Titanic. After arriving in Salmon Arm he went into partnership with Bryan Heaney, purchasing farmland from F.A. McLeod.

Dennys wrote diaries of his life as a farmer. He married Joyce Mary Wright of Canoe in 1914 and the couple had two sons, Ronald and Kenneth.

In 1926 Dennys gave up farming and moved his family to Vernon, BC. There he assisted Dr. E.R. Buckell, at the Dominion Department of Agriculture, doing experiments and studying fruit insects until his unexpected death September 9, 1942. Dennys’ death was thought to be complicated by arsenic poisoning attributed to exposure to arsenic during experiments at work.

Joyce Mary Dennys passed away January 8, 1995 at the age of 97. She was a long time member of All Saints Anglican Church and the North Okanagan Naturalist Club. Joyce trained as a school teacher and taught for several years. In Vernon she was employed as an accountant with William Arnott Jewellers.

MS 10 · Corporate body · 1888-current

The B.C. Fruit Growers' Association operated a local chapter in Salmon Arm. The following history is courtesy of the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives:

In November 1888, Alex McD. Allan of the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario urged the Vancouver Board of Trade and City Council to 'one and all, work, speak, and think for the interests of horticulture'. As a result, a meeting was called in February 1889 to discuss bringing the horticulturists of the province together to exchange ideas and knowledge, and to raise standards in growing and marketing.

The newly formed association's constitution was drawn up with the objective 'to encourage the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and pursuits pertaining to horticulture, the promotion of bee culture, holding of exhibitions and collecting information regarding the different varieties of fruit best adapted for cultivation in this Province'.
The first year of operation saw the association tackling the problems of marketing, packaging and education. The first exhibition was held in May 1889. The 1890's saw the expansion of markets into Japan and the Prairies, with increased emphasis on pest control and improvements in packing. In the early days of the fruit industry in B.C., the chief centres for growing were Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, and Lytton. By 1904, due to irrigation projects in the Okanagan Valley, this area became a leading fruit growing centrepoint. By 1910, increased competition from Farmers' Institutes resulted in declining membership in the BCFGA. During the 1920's, problems also arose as a result of non - cooperation between the numerous independent shippers in B.C.

Aaron Shapiro, organizer of the citrus growers of California, spoke to the members of the BCFGA stressing the importance of organizing for the purpose of distribution. His message was heard and by 1923, 80 % of the growers in B.C. had signed up. As the largest shipping company in the province, the BCFGA carried the greatest share of the burden of distributing the crops. Expenses rose as cold storage facilities had to be provided. Increasing competition from independent producers resulted in the formation of marketing boards in the late 1920s.

By 1931 the Produce Marketing Act was struck down by the Supreme Court, and internal competition between shippers began again. By 1933, the BCFGA was bankrupt due to the withdrawal of provincial funding and the lack of support from growers. A small group of Vernon growers put the association together again, but low prices forced the organization's members to refuse to deliver fruit to shippers unless guaranteed a reasonable price. A grower's strike resulted. The BCFGA again led the way in obtaining both federal and provincial marketing acts to stabilize prices. By 1939, the BCFGA was still battling the issue of how to set up a successful central selling agency. By 1940, the federal government took complete control of marketing, a situation that lasted until 1947. Trade restrictions banning importation of fruit from the U.S. created excellent domestic markets for B.C. growers.

The severe winter 1949/1950 devastated many orchards in the Shuswap, and the BCFGA was forced to distribute a quarter of a million dollars of government funding for tree replacement. By 1955, the fruit industry was in trouble again. Despite a booming economy, the growers were going broke. They felt that the BCFGA was top-heavy and lacking in initiative. As a result of a BCFGA convention resolution, a royal commission was set up to investigate the industry. In their published McPhee Report of 1958, the commission gave a general approval to the system as it stood. With the improvement in B.C.'s highways in the 1950s and 1960s, it became easier for fruit to be shipped to market. Local sales jumped as tourism increased. Unfortunately, many orchards were being replaced by housing. The BCFGA began a campaign to emphasize the economic importance of farmers to their communities. A combination of high operating costs, low returns and lack of government assistance led to demands for reform of BCFGA policies. In 1973, the Land Commission Act was passed, and the BCFGA worked with the provincial government to rectify the inadequacies of agriculture. Between 1974 and 1989, the BCFGA and the tree fruit industry worked on distribution of their product and how to defuse rivalries between the various agricultural organizations and packing houses. Marketing boards fell into disfavour as consumers accused them of being responsible for the rising cost of food. In 1974, 20 out of 2800 growers left the BCFGA to become independent. During the 1970s and 1980s, the BCFGA struggled with changes in government policies, low crop returns, further erosion of farmland, and competition from cheap imports of fruit. In 1989, the BCFGA celebrated their 100th year of existence.

MS 10 · Corporate body · 1889-current

The B.C. Fruit Growers' Association operated a local chapter in Salmon Arm.

The following history of the organization is courtesy of the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives:
In November 1888, Alex McD. Allan of the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario urged the Vancouver Board of Trade and City Council to 'one and all, work, speak, and think for the interests of horticulture'. As a result, a meeting was called in February 1889 to discuss bringing the horticulturists of the province together to exchange ideas and knowledge, and to raise standards in growing and marketing.

The newly formed association's constitution was drawn up with the objective 'to encourage the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and pursuits pertaining to horticulture, the promotion of bee culture, holding of exhibitions and collecting information regarding the different varieties of fruit best adapted for cultivation in this Province'.

The first year of operation saw the association tackling the problems of marketing, packaging and education. The first exhibition was held in May 1889. The 1890's saw the expansion of markets into Japan and the Prairies, with increased emphasis on pest control and improvements in packing. In the early days of the fruit industry in B.C., the chief centres for growing were Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, and Lytton. By 1904, due to irrigation projects in the Okanagan Valley, this area became a leading fruit growing centre point. By 1910, increased competition from Farmers' Institutes resulted in declining membership in the BCFGA. During the 1920's, problems also arose as a result of non - cooperation between the numerous independent shippers in B.C.

Aaron Shapiro, organizer of the citrus growers of California, spoke to the members of the BCFGA stressing the importance of organizing for the purpose of distribution. His message was heard and by 1923, 80 % of the growers in B.C. had signed up. As the largest shipping company in the province, the BCFGA carried the greatest share of the burden of distributing the crops. Expenses rose as cold storage facilities had to be provided. Increasing competition from independent producers resulted in the formation of marketing boards in the late 1920s.

By 1931 the Produce Marketing Act was struck down by the Supreme Court, and internal competition between shippers began again. By 1933, the BCFGA was bankrupt due to the withdrawal of provincial funding and the lack of support from growers. A small group of Vernon growers put the association together again, but low prices forced the organization's members to refuse to deliver fruit to shippers unless guaranteed a reasonable price. A grower's strike resulted. The BCFGA again led the way in obtaining both federal and provincial marketing acts to stabilize prices. By 1939, the BCFGA was still battling the issue of how to set up a successful central selling agency. By 1940, the federal government took complete control of marketing, a situation that lasted until 1947. Trade restrictions banning importation of fruit from the U.S. created excellent domestic markets for B.C. growers.

The severe winter 1949/1950 devastated many orchards in the Shuswap, and the BCFGA was forced to distribute a quarter of a million dollars of government funding for tree replacement. By 1955, the fruit industry was in trouble again. Despite a booming economy, the growers were going broke. They felt that the BCFGA was top-heavy and lacking in initiative. As a result of a BCFGA convention resolution, a royal commission was set up to investigate the industry. In their published McPhee Report of 1958, the commission gave a general approval to the system as it stood. With the improvement in B.C.'s highways in the 1950s and 1960s, it became easier for fruit to be shipped to market. Local sales jumped as tourism increased. Unfortunately, many orchards were being replaced by housing. The BCFGA began a campaign to emphasize the economic importance of farmers to their communities. A combination of high operating costs, low returns and lack of government assistance led to demands for reform of BCFGA policies. In 1973, the Land Commission Act was passed, and the BCFGA worked with the provincial government to rectify the inadequacies of agriculture. Between 1974 and 1989, the BCFGA and the tree fruit industry worked on distribution of their product and how to defuse rivalries between the various agricultural organizations and packing houses. Marketing boards fell into disfavour as consumers accused them of being responsible for the rising cost of food. In 1974, 20 out of 2800 growers left the BCFGA to become independent. During the 1970s and 1980s, the BCFGA struggled with changes in government policies, low crop returns, further erosion of farmland, and competition from cheap imports of fruit. In 1989, the BCFGA celebrated their 100th year of existence.

Belli-Bivar (family)
MS 05 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Family · 1877-1966

Captain Roderick Belli-Bivar, M.B.E. (1890-1939) was a professional soldier and saw service in the Indian Army. In 1912, his grandfather sent him to British Columbia to purchase land. The first acreage he purchased was in "Little England" near where South Canoe is today.

Roderick met his wife, Ethel Stirling, at a ball in Salmon Arm. However, at the outset of WW I, he enlisted and returned to England. Ethel joined him in England in 1915 and they were married there.

The couple returned to Canada in 1919 and in 1920 purchased 40 acres of land from Captain Leonard, complete with a frame house, on Rotton Row. Two children were born to the couple - Valerie Patricia Elvira (b. 1924, m. 1945 to Lloyd Galbraith), and Roderic (note spelling) Gordon (b. 1920). The family relocated to Riverside, California for two years in 1931 and 1934 while Captain Belli-Bivar convalesced and the children continued their education by correspondence. The family returned to Salmon Arm and in 1935 they built a larger home on their orchard property.

Captain Belli-Bivar was much involved in fruit growing and marketing, was a Fruit Inspector and a member of the BC Tree Fruits Limited. He was also prominent in the tennis and badminton sports. Ethel (1892-1987) was a successful fruit farmer, a "lady" prospector and very active in the Salmon Arm community organizations.

MS 3 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1985-

The Big Shuswap Tourism Committee was created to promote tourism in the Shuswap. The committee is currently called Tourism Shuswap. It operates a website that promotes events and tourism in the Shuswap.

MS 06 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1925-1952

The history of the Boat Owners Association is sketchy. The club was formed to promote access to Shuswap Lake and used the wharf at Salmon Arm to moor its members' recreational boats. The lake provided access to isolated parts of the region, where roadways remained undeveloped.

The members built a shed that existed until 1921 and created walkways at two levels, allowing for dry routes regardless of water levels.

The club became inactive for fifteen years until 1939 when a group reactivated the club under its original charter. Cyril Thomson was elected chairman and Rex Lingford as secretary. Other members included S.A. Miller, A.D. Meek, P.A. Gorse, C.R. Barlow, R. Buckle, F.H. Burne, Mark Bellamy, Vern Green, C.M. Kennedy, R. Jaimeson, H. Jacobi, C.J. Miller, A.D. Meek, P. McGregor, G. S. Robertson, Wm. McDiarmid, R.J. McGregor, P.A. Ruth, G.S. Robertson, E.C. Turner, Gus Tweeddale and J.E. Wood.

Bordessa (family)
MS 07 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Family · 1913-1936

Bernard Cuthbert Bordessa was born in Cheshire, England in 1887. He trained as a civil Engineer and immigrated to Canada, working on the engineering crew of the Great Trunk Railway in 1913. Early photographs reflect his time on the crew near Hazelton, BC.

In 1915 Bordessa signed up for duty at Vernon, BC and served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. When he returned to Canada, he purchased land in Canoe, BC through the Soldier Settlement Board. The acreage was purchased from Will Kirk in 1921 and Bordessa appears as a fruit farmer from 1921 to 1924, and 1934-1936. He planted apple trees and put an addition on the original house.

From 1921 to 1937 Bordessa also served as a civil engineer in several locations in BC until he was permanently employed by Western Air Command and the B.C.E. (now known as BC Hydro).

In 1927 Bordessa married Edith Dorothy Denison [1893-1981], and the couple had two children, Bobby and Eileen. Bobby was born in 1930, missing a thymus gland and never grew properly. He was hospitalized in New Westminster at the age of five at a childrens hospital and lived until the age of 11. Unfortunately, BC Archives and Records Service has no death record for Bobby (or Robert) Bordessa. Some time prior to 1939 the Bordessa family sold their property and moved away to Vancouver.

Eileen was born in 1931 and speaks frankly about her brother's death. It was a painful event for her parents. She was never allowed to refer to him or ask questions about him for many years. At the age of nineteen she moved to Toronto to continue violin studies at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. She currently resides in Ontario.

The farm was eventually sold to the Abernathy family, who in turn sold the property to the Ackerman family. The house sits on property developed into a private golf course (Shuswap Golf Club, formerly Shannons) on Highway 1, east of Salmon Arm.

Branchflower (family)
MS 08 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Family · 1902-1961

Max Preston Branchflower (1893-1969) was born in Chilliwack, B.C. and moved to Silver Creek, near Salmon Arm, in 1907. Branchflower farmed at Silver Creek and has a road named for him there. His mother, Mary Eliza Branchflower (1869-1961) (nee Mathewson) was born in Barrie, Ontario. As a widow, Mrs. Branchflower moved to Silver Creek and resided with her son until her death.

According to local sources, Max Branchflower never married. His interests included dancing, farming, and automobiles.

Broadview Social Club
MS 11 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1948-1970

The Broadview Social Club, also known as the Broadview Community Club, was formed to raise money for the construction of a Community Hall in 1948.

Brooke (family)
MS 12 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Family · 1913-1943

Arthur Adair Brooke (1874-1959) was born in Rome, Italy. He was raised and educated in both Switzerland and England. At 16 years of age, he moved to Canada and took up residence in Carmen, Manitoba, where he began to farm in 1894. He later moved to Didsbury, Alberta, where he homesteaded.

Mr. A.A. Brooke moved to Salmon Arm in 1907 and acquired property in the Salmon River Valley region. He farmed this area until his retirement in 1944.

An active member of the community, Mr. Brooke lead the development of the Salmon Arm Creamery and he was president of the Dairymen's Co-operative Organization for 12 years. Arthur Brooke served as a member of the municipal council when the Ward System was still in effect. As well, he had a healthy involvement in church matters and was a member of the Baptist congregation.

Mr. Brooke had a strong interest in cows; in particular, in Holstein cattle. He was a long-standing member of the Holstein-Friesian Association of Canada. Mr. Brooke was also an accomplished artist; his work in water colours depicting farm and homesteading scenes became well known across Eastern Canada and United States.

Mr. Brooke was married to Annie Florence Brooke (Ruth). Together, they had three sons: Harold Arthur, Ralph Edward, and Ernest Cuthbert, and one daughter: Ruth Adair. At the time of his death, he was survived by all of his children, 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, five brothers: Charles, Hugh, Stephen, Robin, and Percy, and one sister.

MS 17 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1940-1967

The Canadian Bank of Commerce opened on January 7, 1911. The bank was built on Alexander Street, next to the present day Salmar Classic Theatre and home of Street Scene, a clothing store.

The first manager was A.J. Marlowe who hired the first female, Nina Stirling (Freeman). Subsequent managers were: KS Campbell, GN Harmon (acting), LE Brawders, F Pearson (following amalgamation with the Bank of Hamilton), G Kyle, WR Davies, FN Gisborne, SC Elliot, NH Affleck, DW Bruce, VH Lyons, JGR Scales, GE Bardo, and HL Paterson.

The merger with the Bank of Hamilton took place in 1923 and the name became the Canadian Bank of Commerce. In 1961 the Canadian Bank of Commerce amalgamated with the Imperial Bank of Canada and the name became The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.

MS 14 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1938-1981

In July, 1938 an organizational meeting was held for the Canadian Society for the Control of Cancer at the Salmon Arm Hospital in Salmon Arm. Those present included Dr. A. Beech, W.H. Grant, Cyril Thomson, J.L Jackson, Mrs. C.J.R. Stirling, Dr. H. Baker, K. Hunter, C.C. Barker, Mr. Damgaard, Miss Ida Harbell and H.F. Pardy. Dr. Beech acted as Chair. The group planned a campaign for membership, printed pamphlets, raised funds and increased awareness of cancer. The organization was also known as the Salmon Arm Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society and the Shuswap Unit of the Cancer Society.

Canoe Boat Club
MS 136 · Corporate body · 1946 -

A meeting was called September 22, 1946 to form a boat club in Canoe with the idea of having a Boat Basin dredged out at the mouth of Canoe Creek.

Jimmy Day was nominated Chair and H. Ripley nominated as recording secretary.

In May 1947 it was suggested the Club buy or lease land from John Lund. The club offered John Lund $100 for a lot 200 x 310 feet – just enough for a Boat Basin.

The club gave John Lund a $10 deposit to hold the property until they could canvas the membership for the rest of the funds. Members were assessed $5 to pay for the land and expenses. They also asked Federated Co-op for a donation.

Members who did not turn up for work parties were also assessed additional fees. Shortly after forming, the club was over scribed and had a wait list in 1947. Residents of Canoe were given priority for membership.

Club members were interested in becoming a Society and hired Don McTavish to do the legal work. The Canoe Boat Club was incorporated December 7, 1948.

The members in 1947 were: Mr. Johnson, T. Andrews, A. Schwandt, Mr. Hillsted, F. Downey, H. Miles, S. Sweinson, H. Timpson, J. Day, J. Carmichael, W. Metcalfe, C. Engle, T. Redmond, E. Wright, A. Baird, J. Lund, W. Haines, W. Dalzell, N. Georges, J. Haines, N.S. Richards, H. Chagun, Dr. Drummond, H. McDiarmid, Captain Jones, H. Ripley, G. Williams, P.A. Gorse, C.L. Hart, K. Simmons, D. Swift, Don Graham and R.V. Haney.

The club members worked on the basin and spent time trying to control the weeds. Members successfully canvassed MP Dave Fulton to have the Government dredge the basin and install pilings. The purchased weed killer and maintained the facility.

Canoe United Church
MS 92 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1925-

Canoe United Church was founded at the time of church union in 1925 and is part of Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery. Prior to church union, Methodist services began in Canoe as early as 1888 as members of an interdenominational church gathered in people's homes. Rev. Calvert was the first minister to serve the community. He frequently traveled from Revelstoke by horse and walked when weather was poor.

When the Canoe School was built in 1908, the community congregation faithfully met there. When the community all was built in 1919, services relocated to "Victory Hall."

Rogert Kirk donated a lot to build the church in 1921. Members of the Methodist Church financed the structure. Contractor W.H. Ireland completed the building for $1,593. The first service was held October 30, 1921 and was conductd by Rev. J.D. Hobden. When the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist Churches united in 1925, Canoe United Church was givent its new name and became part of Mount Ida Pastoral Charge (1925-1928), Malakwa Pastoral Charge (1929-1930), Malakwa-Arrowhead Pastoral Charge (1931-1936), and Salmon Arm Pastoral Charge (1937-2009). Canoe United Church is currently an independent pastoral charge.

Some Ministers associated with the church are C.L. Best (1922-1924), T. Keyworth (1924-1926), J.E. Griffiths (1926-1929), J.F. Shaw (1929-1934), E.S. Fleming (1934-1938), V.H. Sansum (1938-1942), F.R.G. Dredge (1942-1947), A.O. Clements (1947-1960), C. Swallow (1960-1966), D. McQuarrie (1966-1971), J. Johnson (1971-1975), D. Salter (1975-1976), and Alvin Adams 1976.

Carlin (family)
MS 15 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Family · 1896-1993

Robert Jennings Carlin was born in Kandiyohi, Minnesota, October 1896. James A. Carlin, Robert's father, moved the family, including infant Mildred to Kault in 1898. Three girls and a boy were born afterwards, Evelyn, Kathleen, Howard and Doreen.

James Carlin was mill superintendent at Tappen, working for the Columbia River Lumber Co. The company was owned by his brother Michael and business partner Fred Jones. James purchased Joe Genelle's home, former owner of the mill, for his family.

James Carlin purchased land in Grindrod and logged the property. The land was cleared of timber and sold prior to WW I to the North Coast Land Company of Vancouver for $50/acre for 1300 acres. The company paid a $10,000 down payment.

The land developers eventually got into financial difficulties and the Grindrod property returned to James Carlin through court action.

Robert worked for his father as an adolescent, haying the property in Grindrod. He went to Minnesota during the war. He found employment with the Great Northern Railway through relatives. He worked in Calgary for two years for Maclin Motors. He relocated to Powell River for eleven years. Robert returned to Tappen when his father became ill. He farmed the Tappen property from 1943 to 1964. He moved to Salmon Arm in 1967.

MS 91 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 2004-2006

The Centennial High School Reunion took place in 2005 in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Names, photos and histories of those educated in Salmon Arm over the last century were obtained for the reunion, and a commemorative book was published.

MS 138 · Corporate body · 1920-

On April 27, 1915 a group of people met to form the Granite Trading Co-operative Association.

The association had its beginnings two years before in 1913 when a group met to form the Tappen Farmers’ Exchange. The Exchange was created to handle and sell farm produce. Henry Calhoun, J.A. Carlin, William Sanderson, J. Fleming, Gust Annala, J. Mikkelson, and C.W. Mobley erected a small building on the C.P.R. right-of-way and had C.P.R. operator Barney Kellogg paint a sign on the building. C.W. Mobley was appointed the manager, secretary-treasurer, and one-person staff.

The group affiliated with the Salmon Arm Farmers’ Exchange and Okanagan United Growers. Settlers in the area started asking the Exchange to bring in consumer goods. Flour and feed arrived by the carload and unloaded in the Calhoun warehouse located on the C.P.R. right-of-way. Settlers could order groceries or farm equipment, combine their bulk orders and receive wholesale shipping rates.

The co-operative impacted local store owner and businessman H.C. Banks. His store had been serving customers in the area since 1907. Banks contacted the C.P.R. requesting to have the co-operative restrained from doing business on the C.P.R. right-of-way. Settlers were unhappy with Banks and the members of the cooperative reacted by deciding to get into the retail trade. The first item of business was to incorporate under the Co-operative Association Act. In a spirit of fairness to Mr. Banks, the group offered to buy him out, offering him $900 for his building and well, to buy his stock at costs plus shipping, and to pay him $75 for his share in the co-operative telephone system that operated out of the store.

The sale was structured $400 cash down for the building and $300 for the stock. The balance of payments bore 8% interest.

The name Granite Trading Association was adopted, taken the name of Granite Mountain. The founding directors were C.W. Mobley, Henry Calhoun, Wm Sanderson, Gust Annala, and J.A. Carling. Mr. Calhoun was elected president and Mr. Mobley the secretary.

The Association is one of the oldest operating consumer co-operatives in the province and is famous for its outsized ice cream cones.

MS 153 · Corporate body · 1909-

The District of Salmon Arm Fire Department is a volunteer fire department that has its roots in a community Fire Brigade that was formed in 1909 with M.M. Carroll named as Captain.

The first fire hall was built in 1913 on the corner of Shuswap and Okanagan Avenues, just south of the current “Old Courthouse” building. It housed two hand-drawn reels and a cart. A large bell was mounted on top of the hose tower for alerting the fireman of a fire. The development of the fire department was documented by former Chief Pat Shirley in the Salmon Arm Scrapbook.

The accessioned reports cover four fire halls: Canoe, Broadview, Central and Glen Eden and served the District (now City) of Salmon Arm.

Doe (family)
Family · 1912-1986

Ernest Doe (1912-1986) was a long time resident of Salmon Arm. He was born in Bulwell, England. He worked as an accountant and auditor in Salmon Arm. He was author of "The Centennial History of Salmon Arm" and was named citizen of the year in 1963.

Ernest Doe was active in many of the community's organizations. He was secretary of the Chamber of Commerce for 25 years, secretary of the Salmon Arm Museum for 17 years, was involved with the Salmon Arm Community Association for 11 years, and was Salmon Arm's volunteer weatherman since 1950. Ernest took over the position of volunteer weatherman from his father, who had served from 1925-1950. Ernest was also an amateur radio operator.

Ernest married Margaret Catherine Avery, had two children, Alan and Helen (Hill Tout) and one grandson, David Mathew Hill Tout, at the time of his death.

Duncan, Frank
MS 21 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Person · 1878-1970

Francis (Frank) Duncan was born in Missouri in 1878. As a child, he and his parents lived in California and Texas. After the death of his parents, Duncan returned to Missouri to live with his grandparents. Duncan trained as a photographer, returned to Texas to work and then decided to "go up into Canada fishing."

Duncan arrived in Salmon Arm in 1913 and opened a photography studio above the Kualt store. He was a widower at the time and sent for his daughter, Kathleen. Neighbours, the Reilly family, took care of the young girl at Tappen, while Duncan tried to make a living. To supplement his studio work, Duncan sold subscriptions to the Observer and bartered exchanges for his catches of fish.

The Salmon Arm Observer notes that Duncan was an experienced photographer when he arrived in the area. He specialized in railroad and newspaper photography, and had worked throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The Salmon Arm Observer commissioned Duncan to take photographs of all parts of the Shuswap. Interestingly, on June 18, 1914 the editors note that Mr. Duncan had a hydroplane that he used on Shuswap Lake. Duncan later worked in Klamath Falls, Oregon before moving to Texas. He made homes in Presidio, Terlingua and, finally, Marfa in 1916. According to The Big Bend Sentinel, Duncan considered himself primarily a prospector, with photographic skills. He approached ranchers in Texas, asking to prospect, but was usually denied access to their land. Then, as a back up, Duncan offered to take portraits of the ranchers' families and landscapes of their ranches. The Marfa Presidio County Museum houses 2,200 of Duncan's glass and film negatives from the region. Duncan loved hunting, fishing and the outdoors. He died July 9, 1970 at Brownfield, Texas and was buried at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Big Spring, Texas. Duncan was 91.

MS 22 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1921-1944

The Eagle Bay School Board built a log cabin school in July, 1921. The building was 30 by 20 feet. According to the minutes a second building was constructed in 1929 that measured 20 by 26 feet at a value of $1050. Both schools were attended by Jim Day, board chairman, of Eagle Bay.

In 1923, the Board moved to build a house for the school teacher. Each winter the board supplied five cords of wood and saw to the maintenance of the school and grounds.

Earl Tomyn
MS 75 · Person · 1932-2003

Earl Alvin Tomyn was born 10 April, 1932,on a farm in Margo, Saskatchewan to Mike and Anna Tomyn. One of ten children, Tomyn is of Ruthenian descent. His parents immigrated to Canada from Austria, through Ellis Island in 1910.

Tomyn began elementary school at the age of 8 in 1940, completing his public school studies in 1951. He worked in a variety of jobs including the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company in Flin Flon, Manitoba (1952), the oil fields in Leduc, at Canadian Equipment Sales and Service Co. in Edmonton (1953) and in a pharmacy in Lucky Lake, Sask. (1954). Tomyn then worked as a reporter for AThe Post@ in Fairview Alberta (1954) and for Fairview Photo (1955). Wanting further training, Tomyn enrolled in the Falk School of Professional Photography in Maryville, Missouri, graduating in 1956. His jobs included working at Heath Photography in Melfort, Sask, then Fairview Photo Studio 1956-1957). In 1957 he worked at Edstrom Studio in Winona, Minnesota. Tired of the wages, Tomyn moved back to Flin Flon, Manitoba to work for Mid West Diamond Drilling as a relief driller and timekeeper. At Mid West he created a commissary for other employees.

From 1958 to 1960 Tomyn owned and operated Earl=s Photo Studio at Leader Saskatchewan. In 1960 he moved to Edmonton, working for Goertz Photo Studio, as a contracted photographer for the Edmonton Journal. In 1961 he moved to Camrose, to work at Langbell=s studio. During 1963 Tomyn moved frequently, working in the resource and construction sectors in Clearwater, BC, Pinepoint, NWT and Little Fort, BC.

In 1965 Tomyn moved to Avola and worked as a driller for Emil Anderson Construction. He and his family moved to Salmon Arm, where he worked for Federated Cooperative in Canoe. From 1969 to 1976 Tomyn operated Earl's Photo Studio in Salmon Arm. From 1976 to 1993 Tomyn returned to work at Federated Cooperative as a forklift driver and watchman.

While in Salmon Arm, Tomyn took an active interest in First United Church, The Salmon Arm Fall Fair Board, The Lions Club, Salmon Arm Light Horse Academy, and Salmon Arm Museum. In 1980,he wrote the The History of Margo Sask ,a 400 page volume encompassing the history of the area and it=s people from the early 1900's . He also compiled a phonetic language dictionary of English to Ruthenian.

On November 5, 1966 Tomyn married Marjorie Kernaghan [1937-1991]. The couple had two children, Michael Walter, born Aug. 8, 1967 and Anne Marie, born March 10, 1969.

Earl Tomyn died at his home in Blind Bay, BC with his family around him on 13 October, 2003.