Welcome to Camrose Founders Days Festival Website

Celebrations at Camrose Founders Days Festival August 12th - 14th 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.

1911 Highlights:

1911 saw staggering commercial, social, cultural growth in Camrose and surrounding communities as western Canadian population grew and expansion of the 3 railway companies made connections. Camrose was banded the Town that Was Born Lucky; Camrose Canadian headlines included: “All Roads Lead to Camrose” and “Where Railways Grow Like Weeds”.

By 1911 the construction of the power plant was complete and it started operation in early January. Cost of construction and equipment was $25,000. Mr. M.A. Maxwell was appointed the water works engineer and Camrose looked forward to all-night electrical service (CC October 5th, page 1). The power plant declared modest earnings within 3 months of opening
Mayor – Frank P. Layton
Board of Trade President – C.G. Corneille
Chairman of the School Board – Dr. G.G. Stewart
Chairman of the Hospital Board – Dr. Lamb
Camrose Lutheran College commences its first school year on October 2nd, with classes held in the two Lutheran churches. The Heather Brae Hotel serving as dormitory and boarding club. First president was Rev. J.P. Tandberg. Rev. T.T. Carlson, vice-president of the organizing association and pastor of one of the local churches. The construction of the cornerstone of a permanent building was laid July 1st with a huge community celebration. Representation of government and church came from several provinces and from the US; Norwegian vocal entertainer Martha Sandal travelled from the US for the occasion.
1911 saw a large increase in cultivated land in area around Camrose and increase in coal production. Crops were extremely good that year which prompted the construction of many grain elevators. A call for 50,000 farm laborers to the west attracts many easterners. The first market garden was established servicing Camrose
Increase in business creates a demand for a larger post office
Amateur Minstrel Club formed
The April Bachelors Ball was declared the greatest social function of the year
By 1911 the town had built the water tower and sank a number of wells to a total of eleven. Water pipes were laid from the various reservoirs to the water tower and back to the main business and residential areas of town to provide water for fire and household purposes
By 1911 the town was growing not only in population but in sophistication as well
In 1911 Camrose boasted the presence of Drag. W Jones, who was not only a veterinarian but a dentist as well
A.J. Ofrim, a noted blacksmith opened a business with Thomas Fowler opposite from the town hall
There were advertisements for Rural Home Machinery and A.J. Thompson became manger of Massey-Harris Co. Ltd. He also sold democrats, buggies, sewing machines and fanning mills
A small Camrose Concrete Co. plant was opened in Camrose for the production of concrete blocks
The opening of day of duck hunting is declared a holiday
Mr. & Mrs. William Walkemeyer purchased the Camrose Hotel and renamed it the Heather Brae Hotel
The Fram Ski Club was formed. J.R. Engelbretson was president of the club with such members as Lars Maland, Adolph Maland and Oscar Engelbretson. One of the first tasks undertaken by the club was the manufacture of a ski jump; starting on this project in early fall. The 40’ tower was completed on January 5, 1912 ready for its first ski jumping tournament
An enclosed arena skating rink was built by Peter Scramstad in 1911. On each side of the rink was one sheet of ice reserved for curling
The first meeting to organize a curling club in Camrose was held November 27 at the Canadian Cub. Patron Frank Pike, Honorable President G.P. Smith, President R.L. Rushton, VP G.E. Measom, Secretary/Treasurer S.J. Boyd
Football team formed in Camrose (May 4 CC)
GTP passenger service starts June 12th; Canadian Northern in early July
The Manning-Sutherland Lumber Company was absorbed by the Beaver Lumber Co. Ltd. With George E. Johnson in charge
The firm of Eby and Snyder opened an electrical shop
A. Code opened The Cheap Cash Store and offered an inducement to business, free delivery
Two clothing stores were operating, The Peoples Store, clothing and shoes was managed by Erickson & Co. “Amos” Clothing was also in operation. Longer & Boada were in the shoe repair business
Camrose Millinery with Miss. M. Hoyme as proprietress, opened in 1906. She was in business for almost a quarter of a century in Camrose
The plumbing trade became of importance due to the water and sewage lines
Palm Cigar Store opened with J.A. McLeod the proprietor
Hiram Burgar returned to the hardware business
At least 3 bakeries were in business and several pharmacies
The Union Café advertised as an alternate eating place to a hotel
In February the David Theatre (now the Bailey) opened

Honouring

Rev. Thomas Torger Carlson

Rev. Thomas Torger Carlson was born March 25, 1864 on Rennes Island, Norway. At the age of 18 he moved to Story County, Iowa and in 1890 he entered seminary in Minnesota. Rev. Carlson accepted a call to be a missionary to a large population of Lutherans in and around Camrose, Alberta. He arrived in the spring of 1906. Rev. Carlson either started or served in seven parishes: Bardo, Round Hill, Kingman, Camrose, New Norway, Dinant and East Hay Lakes. All these churches with the exception on 1 are still active and have celebrated 100th anniversaries.

In 1910, T.T. Carlson became vice president of the "Alberta Norwegian Lutheran College Association", acting on behalf of his congregations. In 1911, prior to the completion of Old Main, he was instrumental in organizing classroom space in 2 local churches and for making arrangements to rent the Heather Brae Hotel for the sum of $200 per month for student lodging. The Camrose Lutheran College commenced its first school year on October 2, 1911.

Rev. Carlson returned to the US in 1914. He died in 1932 and is buried at the Turtle Mountain Cemetery.

Mr. M.A. Maxwell

Mr. M.A. Maxwell worked for the Town of Camrose as Engineer in 1911. His role in the successful development of both the Electric Plant and Waterworks installation allowed Camrose to emerge as a flourishing municipality, commanding respect from community leaders across western Canada the northern US states and even from England.

The electrical plant began operation early in 1911. During construction the plant was consistently ahead of schedule and under budget. Within three months of operation the venture saw modest profit. Attention was then given to the installation of the water lines and placement of the wells, and under Mr. Maxwell's supervision and labor our water system were accredited to being among the best in North America.

Mrs. Carla Didrickson-Hoyme

Mrs. Carla Didrickson-Hoyme joined the teaching staff at Camrose Lutheran College in 1911. Her extensive musical background influenced the Colleges extraordinary music program, attracting students to the College from great distances.

Carla was born in Christiana, Norway; her musical talent discovered when she was just 6 years old, allowing her the opportunity to study under the direction of Norway's foremost piano teacher, Mme. Erica Nissen. Carla began teaching piano at the young age of 13. Enjoying the benefits of high social surroundings, Carla was able to devote her life to music, her reputation as a skilled pianist was well known.

Mrs. Didrickson-Hoyme arrived in Camrose a few months prior to accepting the position at Camrose Lutheran College and advertised in the Camrose Canadian for pupils interested in private piano lessons from her home. The music program continued to be a considerable asset of the College over subsequent decades.