1

Rea Peterson
1970's
Bentley, Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

2

Bentley Kitchen Band
1950's - 1970's
Bentley, Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

3

Putland & Thorp Store
Early 1900's
Bentley, Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

4

McPherson Avenue- Main Street in Bentley, Alberta
1900's
Bentley, Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society
Glenbow Archives

5

Typical log house of 1900
1900
Bentley, Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

6

Horse driven wagon of the early years
1910
Bentley, Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

7

School slate
1906
Bentley, Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

8

Covered buggy
1910
Rural Bentley Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

9

Bob sleigh
1940
Rural Bentley Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

10

Pioneers
Opportunities for a new life in the west was advertised by governments and the railways. The most attractive asset to our pioneers was land and properties.. We must give these pioneers credit for seeing the potential in our town of Bentley. These pioneers included developers, promoters, brokers, farmers, laborors and entrepreneurs.
Pioneers moved to our area for a better life. Most of them arrived with a wife and family. Some travelled for miles in a wagon along with all their belongings. They repaired their wagons and harness as they moved along. They also struggled with all the elements of nature.
These people were incredibly tough as everything took hard physical labour. They either walked, drove oxen or used horses.
It wasn’t just men, the women worked equally hard. When the men folk left for supplies or perhaps to earn a few dollars their women took over, chopping wood, doing outside chores as well as caring for their children. Some women worked beside their husbands every day.
Sickness took its toll, as medical doctors and nurses were few and far between. It’s no wonder these folks trusted and helped each other. People were alone so much they enjoyed each others company no matter of what character. They made their own entertainment which brought them pleasure.
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11

ODE TO THE PIONEERS

Our thanks to all those pioneers
Who came to live here in early years.
You came from many a foreign strand
To start new life in this fertile land.
You brought your tools and trusty axe.
And lots of courage and strong backs.
You cleared the land and planted seeds
And other things to meet your needs
You built your home, both warm and strong.
A shelter from storms and winters long.
Communities were formed with church and school.
Which were built by you, with your meagre tools.
We owe you much and we want to pay
With this recorded history, here to stay.
We gathered stories from all around,
And know you’d be happy with what we found.
Stories of sadness when friends were needed,
Of happy times after crops were seeded.
These books will ever be on display,
Dedicated to you in every way.

Submitted by Rea C. Peterson