In the early years of homesteading on the prairies, it would have been a lonely life if it had not been for neighbours and community gatherings. Families were often separated by miles of open land, and long days of chores could pass with little company beyond the wind and the wide-open sky. When someone needed help raising a barn, bringing in a harvest, or tending to an illness, word travelled quickly and people showed up because everyone understood how much depended on mutua

For a town to survive from its earliest days through the next century, financial growth was vital. While there were rough patches for Vermilion during its early years, especially when The Great Depression hit, the town always survived. By the early-1960s, it was prospering. At a meeting in February 1962, a group of taxpayers attended the annual meeting of the Vermilion ratepayers to hear reports of the town’s progress. The first report came from Charles Thompson, a hospital b

With the start of another month, it is time to look back in time to what was happening in the community back in March 1926. Some events were small, some were large, but all shaped the future community. On March 7, Vermilion was defeated 6-0 by the Calgary Albertans in a tough-fought hockey game that didn’t end well for the home team. On March 8, James Cammon, a resident of the Vermilion for the previous 21 years was appointed as the Justice of the Peace. He had previously ser

While it wasn’t an Olympic gold medal in curling, the White Trophy in Vermilion was a pretty big deal for curlers over 100 years ago. Back in February 1909, the Vermilion Curling Club took on several other clubs for the right to hold the White Trophy. This was the first year that the trophy was available to win and several teams were hoping to capture it. The teams that competed were from all around eastern central Alberta including Vermilion, Fort Saskatchewan and Vegreville

Jackie Shane. File photo The Vermilion Public Library welcomed the community for a special screening of The Jackie Shane Story on Friday, February 21, offering an evening of music, history, and reflection through the life of a truly groundbreaking performer. The documentary shared the remarkable journey of Jackie Shane, a trailblazing soul singer who rose to prominence during the 1960s. Celebrated for her powerful voice and magnetic stage presence, Shane found success in To

Each year, curlers from around Central Alberta came to Vermilion to take part in the popular Vermilion Bonspiel in the hopes of capturing the Alberta Hotel Cup. At the end of February 1919, the bonspiel saw several close and exciting games. There were about 20 rinks that entered the bonspiel, with seven coming from outside of Vermilion. One was the McClung Rink from Edmonton. I don’t know if the skip of that rink was related to Nellie McClung, but it is possible. There were a

In the very early years of Vermilion, as the community was slowly coming together, there were problems with some individuals who couldn’t stay on the right side of the law. In early February 1910, three criminal cases were presented at the district court to Judge Taylor who was presiding. In the first case, a Vermilion man was charged with attempting to steal a white steer from another man off his property. The name of the person accused was not listed, nor was the person who

With it being the beginning of a new month, it is time to take a trip back in the past. We are venturing to 100 years ago to see what was going on in Vermilion in February 1926. On Feb. 2, the Town of Vermilion announced that there would be a reduction in the business tax since the cash on hand for the community was $12,000. It was expected that the business tax in Vermilion would decrease by 20 percent to encourage more development as the town grew. On Feb. 4, Vermilion Agri

Way back in 1910, Vermilion was about five years old and quickly growing. All around the area, people were taking up homesteads to capitalize on the fantastic land. To help get people settled in the area, various syndicates were formed. These companies provided people with guidance to build their homesteads. They sold the goods that were needed, directed the settlers to where they needed to go and helped with all the organizing. In January 1910, it was announced that the Belg

For most people who met Hugh Evans as he walked down the street in Vermilion in the 1950s and 1960s, they would have never known he was part of history. From 1898 to 1900, he was part of the Southern Cross expedition to Antarctica. This was the first British venture to the continent and led directly to Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton’s attempts a few years later. He said, “We sailed from a London port early in 1898. A large crowd gathered to bid us goodbye and good luck. T

It is a new year, and a new month, and that means it is time to look back at what was going on in the community 100 years ago this month. These events helped to build the community that exists today. On Jan. 13, the Vermilion Wanderers defeated Vegreville 4-2 in a hockey game. This put Vermilion at the top of the league standings and in a good place to win the league championship. On Jan. 16, it was announced that 100 families from Scotland were going to be settling at Vermil

December 1913 was a good month for Annie McLay. It was in that month that she won a big prize thanks to her hard work. For two months previous, the Edmonton Bulletin had been running a contest to see who among their employees could get the most subscribers signing up for the newspaper. McLay, who was from Vermilion, won thanks to her immense drive to win. She spent six weeks traveling through the northern part of the province as far as she could go, and then down to southern

Back in 1910, Vermilion dealt with something rather unusual for the time of year. A November tornado. In those days, they called such weather events cyclones, and it was something that scared quite a few people in the community. It was on Nov. 1, 1910, when what was described as a terrific windstorm swept through the community. At the height of the storm, it was said you could barely see a block away because of the dust and debris. The storm led to a small fire in town and wh

New Memorials for Fallen Hero’s at the Royal Canadian Legion. Photo submitted Three new memorial plaques were recently received by the local Legion Branch commemorating Fallen Heroes with ties to the Vermilion Area. On the left is Vincent Stanley Hall sponsored by Creech’s Lakeland Funeral Home. In the centre is Charles Duncan Calder sponsored by Martin’s Plumbing & Heating and on the right is Albert Walter Klatt sponsored by the Klatt Family from Vermilion. Also adding to sp

A new month means we are traveling back to time to see what was going on in the community exactly 100 years ago. These events may seem like they are not of major historical significance, but they helped form the community as it is today. Many residents of Vermilion were angry on Nov. 1 when they woke up to what had happened on Halloween in the community. Several people had property smashed in their yards. Various signs were ripped down around the community and a rear door at

While The Great Depression was one of the most difficult times for Canadians in the 20th century, especially in the Prairies, there were still things to celebrate. On Nov. 2, 1937, the people of Vermilion were celebrating the news that progress was being made on the new Masonic Temple in the community. On that day, the cornerstone was laid down on the building. For the previous 21 years, the Masons had used a building in the Standard Block of Vermilion. This new temple was to

Back in October 1951, the Vermilion area was getting ready for a major vaccination job. It wasn’t for polio, that was still a couple years away. Instead, it was about vaccinating cattle. This massive vaccination program was believed to be the largest ever attempted in Canada by a municipality. Initiated by the Municipal District of Vermilion River, it all began on Oct. 4, 1951 under the guidance of Dr. A.R. Anderson and Dr. F. Creech from Lloydminster. The vaccination was for

Nellie McClung was one of the most important individuals in Alberta’s history. Not only was she instrumental in Manitoba becoming the first province to allow women to vote in provincial elections, but she did the same in Alberta soon after in 1916. Later in life, she was one of The Famous Five who brought forward the Persons Case in 1927 that led to women being deemed persons qualified to sit in the Canadian Senate. Her legacy has been tarnished somewhat with her support of e

Back when Vermilion was first founded, one of the early tasks of residents was to build a church that people could worship in. It was in September 1905 when a letter reached Archdeacon Lloyd in Lloydminster, for whom the community is named, asking if a church could be opened in the new village of Vermilion. The person who sent the letter was Robert Pilkie. A reply came on Oct. 15, 1905, giving permission to create this church. A week later, Archdeacon Lloyd came to the commun

At the start of each month, I like to look back at what was going on in the community a century ago. The events of 100 years ago helped from the community that exists today. At the start of the month on Oct. 1, it was announced that Reverend Father Goutier was leaving the community to take over the parish in Legal. He had served as the Vermilion parish for the previous 15 years and was well loved by the community. He was succeeded by Father O’Sullivan, who came in from Hanna.