Brennen Funeral Home

Wells Furniture

Pipes of St. Peter's

A History of Hospitals

The Canadian Northern Story

Stettler Cigar Factory

FROM McGILLIVRAY TO WELLS THE STORY OF A STORE

In 1905 N.B McGillivray, who would become the town of Stettler's first mayor, as well as sit on many of the early boards of the town, opened a furniture store in the fledgling community. His first store was less than a block north of it's current locaton. The first freight train into Stettler, was carrying furniture for McGillivray's store. A few years later, N.B would relocate to a more centeral location on the town's main drag. Over 100 years later, a furniture store still sits in that exact same spot. In March of 1958 a fire would start in the building, and would spread to the neighbouring bakery owned by Mr. Dick Webster. The fire caused some damage to the neighbouring Co-operative grocery (now John's Clothing) and the Builder's hardware on the other side of the bakery. A new building was erected, but the business was sold and renamed as Sim's Furniture. Mr. George Sinclair was the general manager and president of Sim's. Sim's Furniture would remain in business until it was sold again, and renamed Wells' Furniture in 1972 when it was bought by Mr. Dick Wells who operated it until 1991, when he then sold it to Mr. Calvin Blauel. Mr. Blauel kept the name Wells Furniture, up until he sold the company in 1996 to it's current owner Bernadette (Bernie) Jackson, who has run the store for twenty years, often times with members of her family working alongside her.

THE PIPES OF ST. PETER'S THE LIFE AND TIMES OF AN OPUS 86 ORGAN

Attend Sunday Service at the St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church and you might just be fortunate enough to listen to the sounds of history playing. After 125 years, 2 separate churches, 2 countries, 2 different Stettler homes, and several repairs and modifications over the years, the Opus 86 model organ built by the American company Farrand and Votey of Detroit Michigan, continues to play and may very well do so for years to come. Originally built in 1890 for the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church of Silver Lake, Minnesota the rather majestic instrument served the St. Joseph church until the early 1940's when it was sold to Trinity Lutheran Church of Gaylord Minnesota. There, due to the much different design of the organ's second home, several of the front pipes were modified to fit, as well as minor changes to the organ's swell box. The Trinity congregation decided to replace the organ and an electric model by 1950, and were on the verge of disposing of it. However thanks to the uncle of St. Joseph's then serving Reverend Randolph Mohr, the Opus 86 was soon to be relocated in 1955 with the help of Gus Eisentraut's '52 Ford one-ton and able bodied Dick Hubert. Thankfully, the two of them only needed to make one six day trip down to the Trinity church, dismantle the Opus, and bring it back to the St. Peter's Main Street location. It was during the visit to the church, and the dismantling period, that the two men made a respectful donation to the Trinity church's offering plate from the folks back home in Stettler. The Opus 86 played at the Main Street church for nearly a decade, when the congregation made the decision in the early 60's to sell their Main Street building and construct a new one. So in 1963, the spire and steeple were torn down, and the building was sold and currently exists as a private residence. The organ remained in storage while the chapel of Brennan's funeral home acted as temporary house of worship for the Lutheran congregation until the new 48th avenue building was completed in 1966, and the organ was installed in the balcony of the sanctuary of the new A-frame building. A major restoration/repair effort fifteen years later, would lead to removal of layers of paint that had been added over time to cover scars from repair, and age, and reintroduce the original oak finish and walnut trim. A few minor changes were made to the organ over the years, due to renovations,and upgrades of the church building itself. The main change was that after the organ's blower motor was relocated to the sanctuary. This would cause a serious noise problem, and after several attempts to eliminate the noise of the motor which would drown out the the sounds of the organ it helped operate, the blower motor was replaced by a newer more modern blower motor. This would lead to discovering several issues with the inner workings of the organ and problems with many of the keys and control pedals, and even the leather bellows. So in November 2014 a major restoration repair job, was once again implemented that involved disassembling parts of the organ to be fixed properly, and even replacing the cracked and warn leather bellows with a rubber canvas material. A few extra repairs, and modifications are planned in January, but it is believed that with proper care, and maintenance, the Opus 86 could very well play for another hundred years.

A FAMILY AFFAIR THE STORY BRENNEN FUNERAL HOME

By the time J.K Brennen had come to the community, he was already a World War One veteran, and had worked at funeral homes in both Wetaskiwin, and Calgary. He bought the funeral home owned, and operated by N.B. McGillivray in 1927, and started a family business that would last over sixty years. As well as funeral services, Brennen's also ran the ambulance service all the way up until 1972 when the Stettler and District Ambuland Association was formed through the Stettler Hospitals. J.K would also serve on town council from 1934-1946. J.K's son John(sr.) was born in 1928, and would take over the business in 1946. Shortly after which, on October 26, 1949, J.K Brennen passed away. John Sr. would also serve on town council for 13 years, and serve as Mayor for 11 of them. During his time as the man in charge, Brennen's would move from their location on Main Street to the Baptist church on 48 avenue in 1978. John's son John jr. would take over the family business in 1993 when the Sr. Brennen became semi-retired. John Sr. passed away on December 21, 2003. Although John Jr. sold the funeral home in 1997, it still retains the name Brennen.

THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY A HISTORY OF HOSPITALS

The earliest recording of a Stettler hospital isn't neccessarily exact. Although we do know the first medical doctor in the community was a Dr. Howson, and that his first prescription in Stettler was filled at Dunlap & Hart on January 18, 1906, the same can't be said for a hosptial before, or around that time. Although there is record of a Mrs. Hunt operating a private facility 'somewhere east of Main Street.' The records do, however, become a bit better in 1907, when it begins to list both the operators, and locations of the town's private hospitals. The first one noted was operated by a Miss. McIntyre who ran a hospital just south of the old Hatchery building. It was later in the 20's when Miss McIntyre's hospital was run by Dr. Franchunm, that another hospital was started. It would be around 1924, when a Miss. Mills would start a 6 bed private hospital in a house built by George R. Farmer in 1907. Mr. Farmer was one of the town's first town councillors, and owned the town's first hardware store. He had built the house in 1907. It had also served as a Presbyterian Manse for many years (with the Presbyterian congregation operating out of the church that is currently owned by Brennen's funeral home, and was just down the street.) It is noted that Dr. (Col.) Archie Kennedy would run the Mills hospital in the later years. Dr. Kennedy was a long-time doctor in the community, and his name was given to the early hospital facility that we now benefit from. The Mills/Kennedy hospital would run in the Farmer house until about 1928 when the Municipal hospital was built. Other hospitals that would run for various times before the arrival of the Municipal Hospital, would include an 8 bed private hospital run by a Dr. Donovan in 1909. At that time, an 18 bed hosptial was also located on the corner of 49th street, and Railway Ave. This facility was run by a Mr. & Mrs. Hunt(possibly the one noted in the 1905 hospital) with Mrs. J. Hunt as the matron for many years. In 1916, Dr. Franlenm took over a house across the street from the lumber yard, and operated a hospital there. He was aided by two local woman, Mrs. McGillivray, and Mrs. R.O. Bull who were practical nurses at the time. Later in 1918 Creighton opened a similar hospital at 5002-52street. Mrs. Gertie Streit Sr. supervised the hospital's operations, and had duties ranging from looking after the kitchen , to washing and drying bandages. She would also assist with operations. In 1912, the Town Hospital would open west of the Masonic Lodge. In 1912, an article from the Stettler Indepenedent would report that the town now possessed a hospital that was "thoroughly equipped and efficiently managed. The staff consists of Miss Parks (superintendent); a house keeper and two nurses in training." The article continued to describe the facility's fully equipped operating room as well as it's five wards. the first was equipped by the Masonic Lodge, one private ward, a ladies' general a men's general, and a semi-private ward; reception, dinning room, kitchen, two large halls, two linen closests, and the nurses' apartment. The building was also reported to be equipped with electric lights, water, and telephone. The Board of Managers consisted of K.C. McLeod, W.W.Sharpe(Sharpe & Page) & J.P Grigg. There were also four doctors on staff who would recieve patients from all over the country. Other Matrons of the hosptial would include: Miss Bell, Helen Holden & Ester Robinson. The 1920's would be a an interesting time for the health of Stettler and the surrounding residents. Two major medical operations would soon be competing for support in the community. The first steps towards a new facility would start for one group on May 8, 1925, when the Stettler Board of Trade made a request of the Parish Priest, Father Ernest Battle. Father Battle was asked by the board to approach the Archbishop, in hopes of establishing a Sister's Hospital which was an organization of nursing sisters, known primarily for their operations during major wars, both at home, and over seas. Four sisters from St. Joseph's of London Ontario arrived in Edmonton in February of 1926. A public meeting was held in March of 1926, when both the possibilities of a Sister's hospital, and a new municipal hospital district and operation, were discussed. No decision was made at that meeting, nor had one been made by September of that year. Father Battle attempted to keep the Sisters interested in setting up in Stettler and invited them to do so out of Carder Hall(the former Cigar Factory which had moved to Vancouver by this time.) However a provisional board had been set up with repreresentitives from the surrounding Municpal Districts, and communities. This included: S.A Vanderford (Waverly M.D), H.A. Ford (Haig M.D.), Fred Biggs (Vimy M.D), Joseph Harbison (Dublin M.D.) F.T Colley (Stettler) and E. Prudden (Botha). The Municipal district was agreed upon in August on 1927, and by May of 1928, it was a corporate body. A credit was given for $40,000 for a 20 period to secure financing for the construction, and furnishings of the 25 bed facility. Sadly, with the creation of the new Municipal Hospital District, operations such as that of the Sisters Hospital, were closed. The Sisters would, however, would accept an offer from the community of Galahad to establish a 20 bed hospital. The Galahad hospital would run under the Sisters from 1927-1995. The Municipal Hospital was built in 1928-29. The original medical staff consisted of Dr. J.E Mason, Dr. A.E. Kennedy, Dr. N.W Connelly, Dr. Clive A. Staples, and Miss Cushing as superinendent of nurses. Several other doctors from surrounding communities would also practice out of the new facility. Other nurses to serve time in the Municipal building would include Miss Postill, Miss Kennedy, Miss McHugh, Mrs. Getz, and Mrs. Kerby. Special note should be made that Dr. F.O. Galbraith would come to work at the hospital, and during the Second World War, was the lone serving doctor at the Hospital. After the war, Drs. R.J Zender and J.M. Malcolm would would the Hospital staff. Dr. Malcolm helped out as a maternity doctor, bringing many of Stettler's wonderful citezens into the world. He was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion, as well as other community service clubs. He was also known for playing the bagpipes. Dr. Zender specialized in urology, and also served as A Canadian Pacific Railway doctor, and distric coroner. The Stettler Municipal Hospital was such a well-run operation that in 1939, it recieved recognition by the Canadian Medical Association during a meeting in Toronto. The Association was given information by the Province of Alberta on all their hospitals, and the Stettler facility was rated as a model institution for an averaged size hospital, serving a rural community. The areas that were reviewed, and helped the hospital to recieve such high praise, included the equipment for both surgery, and ordinary practices, the monthly meetings about facility operations, general management and conduct of businss. The Nursing staff were also recognized for their high calibre. It was, in fact, such a well-run and successful operation that it had paid of it's 20 year debentures in half the time. Over the years, the Municipal Hospital District grew as more towns, and municpalities desired to become part of the district, and soon the 25 bed facility was in need of expansion. So in 1949, at the cost of $125,000 a new 25 bed wing was added to the Municipal Hospital. This would just be the start of exciting times for the healthcare system in Stettler. The newly expanded facility, would be staffed with Doctors from all over the world. Some of them would include the German Doctors Peter W. Klassen, & C.A.C Hoehne, as well as Dr. J.M Egan from Ireland. A long list of British Doctors would provide the people of the Municpal Distric with top-flight health care, such as: Dr. Hazel Stephens from London, Dr. Donald Dobson from Shetfeild. The would be in addition to more local medical minds like Dr. Paul Martine From Saskatchewan. Two main operations were opened in the 1950's to help augment the services provided by the Municipal Hospital. The first would be the Stettler Medical Clinic, which was, and still is located just east of the Municipal Hospital's location, although it is now a private residence. This two floor structure, was as modern of facility as the main hospital it would support. The close proximity to the Municipal building was just one of the many details that may have seemed random, but was a key part of the medical clinic's design. Another example of the thoroughly planned design was the overall shape of the building, which was designed to waste zero space, and alot a space for parking at the north end, complete with plug-ins for the doctors' cars. The exterior was also specifically designed so that although the building has two floors, there were no exterior steps, to prevent slips and falls in adverse weather. This wasn't just a design for the upper floor, but also the stairs at the north end of the building for patients leaving from the lower floor. The main waiting room and office was equipped with a telephone switchboard capable of handling ten phones. Also the building was wired for an intercom system to aid in consultations, and other conversations. This was a key part of the base intention to the clinic, which was to allow a patient to recieve an in depth diagnosis without having to move from one ward, or exam room to another. Instead the doctors would come to the patient based on the requirements of the patient in question. A sort of chute had also been built into the building to allow patients' charts to be passed between the upper and lower floor. The clinic had 18 exam rooms, each of which was equipped with the most modern furnishings available. This included a light-based system to inform people of who occupied which room. A white light above the door would indicate a nurse was in the exam room, a red light would indicate a patient was in the room, and a blue light would announce a technician. Above the external lights were markers that would indicate which doctor was using that exam room at the time. The upper floor conference room, which was located in the north east corner of the building, was a multi-use space that was employed for meetings, writing patient histories, and was even equipped with light boxes for examining Xrays, as well as a space on the wall for watching films(on a reel-to-reel projector.) Other features of the Medical Clinic were: one of the province's best Xray labs, as well as a laboratory on each floor, both of which were just as high-quality as everything else in the building. The patients were also provided with three private dressing rooms. The building was originally heated by oil, but had been designed to switch to natural gas when the option became available. The furnace was housed in the same room as the hot water heating system, and the electrical center. The Medical Clinic operated with roughly five doctors, but could easily accomodate ten. The rest of the medical staff was comprised of three nurses, and two laboratory technicians. As for operational staff, the Medical Clinic employed a business manager, a switchboard operator, two stenographic secretaries, and three caretakers. Both facilities were supported by a new addition to the healthcare system in Stettler, when the Dr. A.E. Kennedy Auxiliary Hospital was built in 1954. This building would be several blocks to the west of where the other two buildings were located, and would eventually become part of the modern-day general hospital. The Stettler General and Auxiliary Hospital, and Nursing Home District No. 20(Or as it's known: The Stettler Hospital Complex) was established in 1972. It was an amalgamation of a 50 bed general hospital, as well as the former A.E. Kennedy Auxiliary Hospital, also the Stettler Nursing home. The construction of the new Hospital complex would also signal the end of one last operation in Stettler. In 1972, the Stettler Hospital complex took over ambulance services, which up until that time, had been run by the Brennen Funeral Home. A large ambulance staff was trained to handle the new task.

CANADIAN NORTHERN TO ALBERTA PRAIRIE STEAM TOURS HOW STETTLER ALMOST WASN'T A CN STOP

Stettler sprang up along the Canadian Pacific right of way back in 1905. In less than a year, there were businesses, and houses stretching south of the CP tracks. A good number of the early structures, had been moved from the former community of Blumenau, which was only a few miles east of the then unnamed townsite. Blumenau, much like other communities such as Content, which sat near the former Metis settlement of Tail Creek, had banked heavily on being the railway's next stop. Many people felt that their already existing community was a natural choice for a new terminal for the quickly growing railway. One of the reasons for such assumptions, was that they felt an established community, would speed up the promise made to B.C at the time of Confederation, and join the two ends of the country. As well as to move settlers father into the undeveloped parts of the fledgling country. However, while these communites, and the people who settled there, and began to build their lives, were quick to assume their place along the tracks, the fact the decisions were made by general surveys, and decided on in an office, often back in Ontario, made for a completely different outcome. To places like Content, and Blumenau, their locations were ideal. Content was built on a location that had once been home to the largest settlement west of Manitoba, and Blumenau was located just a few short miles east of some rather swampy land. To people in Ontario offices, final locations for undeveloped areas, were really just a matter of general information, and picking a spot on a map. So when the decision came for Canadian Pacific's new branch line from the town of Lacombe, to terminate at an undeveloped location, many people were left stunned, and somewhat hurt. The Canadian Pacific's unnamed termius, quickly sprang up, and places like Blumenau, and Content, dried up. Their citizens moving to the new railway stop, or existing ones, and often moving their homes, and businesses if possible. In a few short years, an empty stretch of land was a thriving community. Even early on many visitors to the area, reflected on how impressive the community was coming along. Proof of the community's spirit, became evident in October of 1908, after a devastating fire leveled a large part of the downtown business area. In less than a year, the town was back on track, and even bigger than before. It seemed only natural that the town would soon become a location for the Canadian Northern to want to build a station. They were already planning their routes from the Brazeau coal fields, as well as planning to connect to points in the eastern part of the province. Stettler's fast growth, and central location, made the town ideal. One party that was not excited about the possibility of a competing railway setting up shop in Stettler, was the already existing railway company that had spurred the townsite's growth. Canadian Pacific knew that if another railway company, was to have a station in the townsite, than they would lose their rather exclusive position as the only freight and passenger service into the area. A second railway company, would not only reduce their existing station's business, but would reduce how much they could charge for services in, and out of the area. This was not something the Canadian Pacific wanted to risk, however there was no way for them to completely block the CNoR from building in town. So they did one of the only things they could actually do. They raised the price of land in the townsite, specifically in the area south of their location, where Canadian Northern would most likely build through. Their hope was that the more expensive land, and the already established CP station, would make Stettler too risky of investment, and they would simply setup shop in another community. This however, was not an ideal situation for the town's Board of Trade. Much like CP not wanting a competing company in the small community, the Board of Trade, did not want another town drawing away potential settlers, and businesses. So, after preliminary talks with Canadian Northern, the Stettler Board of Trade, purchased the land that would be required for a new station. Negotiations to secure the Canadian Northern's interests, was spear headed locally by the Board of Trade, while a small group of business men which included Mr. Charles L Willis, and Liberal MPP Mr. R.L. Shaw (who also owned the National Hotel, and the second Royal Hotel). Soon CN was laying track towards Stettler, and on June 13, 1910 the Stettler Band, lead a group of excited citizens to meet up with the work crews as they installed the diamond where the CNoR line was to intersect with the CP line. The band played, children froliced, and the adults watched with excitement as the CN was becoming a reality. However that wasn't the end of the CNoR story. As the railway drew closer, the town of Stettler found themselves faced with an unfortunate fact. The line was not headed for Stettler. In fact Alberta Midland (which would be amalgamated into Canadian Northern, along with Grand Trunk Pacific) was running its Brazeau line five miles south towards Warden. Stetler had hoped, and assumed that it would be the terminal point for that line. The town felt that it had gone to great lengths for the railway, and that a station was a fair trade. The town began talks with CNoR again, and a compromise was eventually reached. A 'cut-off' line was created from Stettler, and connected to the Vegerville line. Although not a key operational location, the community counted it as a victory, and considered themselves a hub. Canadian Northern, would then extend another gesture of good-will, and make Stettler the handling point for all passenger traffic, and Brazeau business. Canadian Northern would begin to build their standard Second Class station along Saunders(47th) Avenue in July of 1910. Although the station was fairly basic, the Stettler Independent proclaimed it would one of the grandest stations in the province (excluding Red Deer, Lethbridge, Calgary, and Edmonton, which all had fairly unique CN stations.) As Canadian Northern's traffic increased, and plans for a new Hanna line started to develope, the question of expansion became an issue. Stettler hoped that CN would expand their station, however there was a constraint on available space on the south end of town, as well as the cost of the land. The existing station south of Stettler, in the community of Warden, was a second option, however Warden's water supply was rather limited. This left Big Valley's Mot Creek, which eventually became the railway's choice. Stettler attempted to convice Canadian Northern to reconsider, however they had already made several capital investments in Big Valley. The diamond intersection with CP, made Stettler a great location for shipping freight. It allowed trains to criss-cross without having to take unnessecary additional routing on other lines. The Second Class station was used for passenger traffic until the late seventies. The beautiful station was then moved to the local museum in 1980. The mid-eighties would see the Stettler sub-division change hands, and become the headquarters for the CWR(Central Western Railway.) The Stettler yard was still too small for most of the modern short-line's marshaling switching operations, so most of that was done in the larger Warden and Big Valley yards. Eventually the track was taken over by the East Central Alberta Heritage Society, and is leased to Alberta Prairie Railway for their tourist operations from Stettler to Big Valley. Of the two Second Class Stations, Big Valley's is the only one still in use on its original location. The Stettler station now resides at the town museum. As for stations between the two communities, only the freight building from Fenn still exists, and resides behind the former general store, and now private residence.

FROM ALBERTA AVE TO WATER STREET THE CIGAR COMPANY THAT SPANNED 2 PROVINCES

A quaint house, and yard sit on a lot where a small cigar factory once stood. Although the company's time in Stettler was short, the building would remain standing for several years, and served as an armoury, a meeting hall, and for a short time; a hospital. Started by Homer Carder in 1912, the Stettler Cigar Factory was a successful operation almost right from the start. It imported Cuban tobacco leaf for use in it's product, and employed roughly 50-70 people between the factory staff, and the office staff. In September of 1917, the owners of the Stettler Cigar Factory, ventured out to Vancouver, to open a branch operation there. Soon after opening their Vancouver branch, it was decided to make it not only their headquarters, but to operate the entire business from that location. As a shipping point, it was a logical decision. Unlike the land-locked community it had started in, the port community of Vancouver, made it much easier to import their supplies, and export their product. The original building was closed, and most of the equipment was packed up and moved to the larger building in the city. The larger operation, also increased the company's staff to 150 men and girls, and put the factories' output at 20,000 cigars per day. Once the Water Street building (which was given the designation of #10, to make the company sound larger, even though it was their only branch) was up and running, it was noted as being the largest tobacoo factory west of the Great Lakes, and it's output, was equal to the cigar manufacturies west of Ontario. However, the successful business was not to last. By 1922, it had gone under, and was filing for bankruptcy. It seemed like it would be the end for the Stettler Cigar Factory, and in some ways, it sadly was. Homer's son Fred Carder, had managed to broker a deal with a Mister. Otto R. Brenner of Montreal. A man with 40 years experience in the cigar business between Ontario and Montreal, Brenner would purchase the factory, and incorporate it as Van Loo Cigars in May of 1922. The newly redesignated company, had an operating capital of $50,000, and much of the Stettler Cigar Factory staff, who had been laid off months before, were hired back. Fred Carder was given the position of GM of the newly formed organization. In February 1923, Fred Carder filed with courts, and requested that a judge direct Van Loo to redistribute their shares, and alot him half. In April 1923 Carder took to the witness stand to plead is case. He claimed he had brokered the deal with Brenner to purchase the now defunct Stettler Cigar Factory. Carder claimed that when the shares of the Van Loo Cigar Company were going to be distributed in January, he was to recieve half of them. Until then, he would assume the position of manager, where he would recieve a salary of $300/month. According to Carder's testimony, when the shares were issued in January, Otto split them amongst himself and his brother, and Carder was then let got from the company in late January. Carder's attorney's were hoping to have the courts redistrbute the company shares, and for their client to be given a partnership in the company. Although no witnesses for the defence were called, their official stance was that there had never been a partnership agreement. By the end of April, Justice Morrison who had originally granted a temporary injunction, prevent Brenner from dealing in half the shares, had decided that Carder's claims were unsubstantiated, and officially dismissed the case. Although it no longer served as a factory, the building known as Carder's hall, that sat near the end of Alberta(50th) Avenue, was still a central part of the community. Dances, and special events were held there, including a grand ball hosted by the Stettler Chapter of the Eastern Star. In the 1920's, while the town was divided between starting a municipal hospital, or a Sister's Hospital run by an organization that had established a reputation of care during the first World War (and would do so again during World War II). Four Sisters were dispatched from London. However since the town was divided, no major progress on the hospital was made right away. In hopes of keeping the nurses around for a while, arrangements were made for them to setup in Carder's hall.<