Celebrations at Camrose Founders Days Festival
August 13th - 15th will
mark 100 year milestones for many Camrose organizations.
Daily activities take place Downtown on
Main Street, Camrose Centennial Museum and the Camrose Railway Station Museum & Park. See the schedule for details. At Founders Square
we will honour several Founders with plaques added to the
walls of the fountain.
Duncan Sampson
Duncan Sampson, the first merchant in Camrose had the honor of purchasing the first town site lot and built the first business, arriving in Stoney Creek from Ontario in 1904. He remained in business here until 1926, when he moved to New Westminster. He sat on the Town Council from 1910 until 1913, on the School Board, and was also instrumental in helping to organize the Camrose Agricultural Society. He was born May 1, 1859 in Ontario and died in May 5, 1930 in New Westminster, BC.
Dr. P. F. Smith
Perhaps no single person in the history of Camrose has left a deep influence upon general population as did the late Dr. P. F. Smith. Born in Prince Edward Island March 25th, 1873, he studied at John Hopkins University and graduated as a gold medalist. He practiced for a short time in Birmingham, Alabama, but the call of Canada was so strong within him, that he returned to Canada, moving to Camrose in 1912. However, he had to write his Canadian Medical License after coming here, associating himself with the Dr. G. G. Stewart. Besides being official Doctor for the C.N.R., he won the hearts of thousands of patients by his sheer merit and his understanding of human frailty and of those enduring suffering. Besides these commendable traits, he was also a keen horticulturist. He died in 1949 in Camrose.
Walter William Assheton-Smith - "Blue" Smith
"Blue" Smith was awarded "The Imperial Service Order Medal" which was presented to him in Camrose on September 23rd, 1910. This award had been instituted by King Edward VII in 1902 as a means of rewarding meritorious service in unhealthy places abroad. As far as can be determined, Blue Smith was the only member of the Canadian Mounted police force to ever receive this particular medal. He was known for his faithful attention to detail, was also an artist/poet and was diligent in paying attention to his homestead at Edberg. He was born in London, England, November 27, 1864 and died October 25, 1944 in Ferintosh, AB.