14

The old Valemount Community Hall was built in 1949 on Commercial Drive. The hall was built by volunteer labour using donated materials on land donated by Nels Dahlberg. The majority of community and social events, which had previously been held in the schoolhouse, or else the basement of the church, could now be held in the community hall. These included meetings, campaigns, bingo, dances, banquets, social evenings, and even some classes and traveling shows. The hall also became the gathering place for cubs, scouts, and guides. The hall burned down in 1977, and the cause of the fire was determined to be from a cigarette in the men's washroom.

Before the hall burned, extensive renovations had been started, and mostly completed, including remodeling the kitchen, and the community was just preparing to put stucco on the walls. The Lions Club had just bought a new steam table, $900.00 worth of dishes, and 30 new tables. This was a big loss for the community. The insurance settlement allowed the new community hall to be built on Gorse Street. It was completed in 1979, and opened in February of that year.

15

Clark's Men's Wear and a barber shop on 5th Ave
1956
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Marie Ford

16

Clark's Men's Wear was a men's clothing store. It was built by Harvey Partridge. The store moved to a new location in 1964.

Located next to Clark's Men's Wear on 5th Avenue, the barber shop was run by Harvey Beeson, and later by Gordon Loseth.

17

Valemount Patents - Valemount's first drug store was the old Bill Atkins' home
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Violet Cramp

18

The Valemount Patents was first operated out of the old Bill Atkins home. The Atkins' left the home in 1957 and it was rented out. Art and Violet Cramp lived in the home and then purchased the Valemount Patents store from Bob Dowling of Jasper in 1968. In 1970, they built the new Valemount Patents situated on the corner of 5th and Cedar (became Stedmans in 1984).

19

The Gulf Service Station
1960s
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada

20

The building was constructed in the early 1960's by Ernie Langford. It was originally going to be a motel, but was never completed and was built between the Hydro and Forestry buildings on Main Street.

When it first opened it was run by Ernie Widell as a Shell station. The business was later taken over by Jack Nicolson and Dave Speding until 1966. In 1967, the building was moved to its present site on the corner of 5th Avenue and Dogwood Street, and run by Mel Ballard as a B.A. station. It later became a Texaco station and was run by John Matt, and then Max (last name unknown) until 1973. Between 1973 and 1978, the building was unused except by various shop students from the high school who used the place to fix up old cars, with permission from Vern and Lee Woodland. In 1978, the building was bought by Maria and Pepe Berardi who converted it to Pepe's Restaurant, which is still running today.

21

Mayor Sandy McLean and William Ralston turn on the water at the fire hydrant behind Ramakada Motel
July 1964
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada

22

Alistar (Sandy) MacLean (1921-1994)

Sandy MacLean moved to Valemount in 1960 and lived here until his death in 1994. He was a dedicated community member, President of the Community Association, Chairman of the Village Commission and Valemount's first Mayor.

The formal opening of Valemount's waterworks occurred on Saturday, July 12th, 1964. The $100,000 system was turned on by Ray Williston, Minister of Land and Forests and Water Resources, while Mayor Sandy McLean, and William Ralston of Associated Engineering Services Ltd. held the hose that connected to the hydrant behind the Ramakada, next to Lebans' property. The affair included a smorgasbord provided by local families, and guests included the Hon. Ray Williston, minister of Land and Forests, and Water Resources; William Ralston of Associated Engineering Services Ltd.; Heinz Weiser, company's on-the-project manager; and Bill McNeill, pilot.

23

An aerial view of the west end of 5th Ave showing the Yellowhead Motel and the Alpine Restaurant
1970s
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada

24

The brick Post Office on Main Street
1959-1981
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada

25

In 1959, the brick post office on Main Street opened, and served the community until 1981, when the post office moved to the Karas mall.

26

Construction of the Health Clinic
1977
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada

27

The old clinic, located across from the United church on 7th Avenue, started in the late '60s. The house was built for a resident doctor but was soon converted into a clinic and the three bedrooms served as examining rooms. There was a small pharmacy office in the kitchen area, which sold basic medications. Jean Froescul was a receptionist there and Iris Siddals operated an old X-ray machine. In the middle of the winter, clients would bundle on boots and a large jacket to get an X-ray in the garage.

After much effort, this new clinic on 5th Avenue opened in 1977.