The series consists of 635 historical photographs and 1068 negatives produced from historical photographs gathered from a variety of families and individuals, primarily for use in the various publications produced by the DeBolt and District Pioneer Museum, and 385 negatives of old buildings in the Goodwin, DeBolt, Crooked Creek, and Clarkson Valley/Sturgeon Heights areas.
The series is divided into two sub-series: General Files and Old Building Project.
(L-R) Dale DeBolt, Winnifred DeBolt, Dorothy DeBolt (alternately Jack DeBolt, Dorothy DeBolt, Margaret Jordan) and postmistress Laura DeBolt outside the DeBolt post office.
DeBolt's first home and post office, built in 1920 and added to in 1927. This was the home of H. Elbert and Laura DeBolt. The foundation for a new house is visible in the foreground.
A parade of students in honour of the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation, July 1, 1927. Shown are students Winnie DeBolt, Robert Mehlum, Howard Voshall, Dorothy DeBolt, Dale DeBolt, and "Tiny" (Harold) Voshall. Their teacher was Stella Becker.
Edson to Grande Prairie Trail is a well-researched history of the pioneer trail which was opened as a quick route to the Peace Country in 1911. The trail was a project of some urgency because of the attraction the Peace Country had as the “Last Best West.” It was engineered by A.H. McQuarrie, and completed in a few short months in 1911. The book was written for the 75th anniversary of the Edson Trail in 1986, edited by Fran Moore and printed by Friesen Printers in 1988.The series consists of the original manuscript and the research files used to create this publication: copies of diaries and personal stories from people who came in over the Edson Trail; copies of a series of stories written by A.H. McQuarrie from 1954 to 1966; copies of articles from the Edson Leader, the Edmonton Bulletin, and miscellaneous papers and magazines; and a series of maps and township plans of the Trail and families along it. There is also a correspondence file regarding planning, writing, financing and printing; one photograph of Edna Agar’s trip on the trail used in advertising; and a published copy of the book.
Winnie Moore and Allan McQuarrie at the dedication of the cairn commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the opening of the Edson-Grande Prairie Trail. The dedication took place at the 1986 DeBolt Heritage Day celebration.
