Hazeltons On-line
Smithers/Telkwa On-line
Houston/Topley On-line
Gransle On-line
Burns Lake On-line

PAGE TWO
OF THREE

HomeSearch past articles

Pioneer Women in the Valley
Most of the early women arrived with only the supplies their horses and wagons, or boats, or backs could carry. The first white woman to settle was Ann Anderson Heal, who arrived here in 1903. Her trip from Victoria to Tyee Lake included six days on horseback, six by riverboat , and six days on foot!
Antique jewellery from the Bulkley Valley
Another young pioneer, Winnifred McDonald, was one of the first women to work in the Royal Bank in Telkwa. She married fellow employee, Clarence Goodacre, and then had to give up her job. At that time, a married woman was not allowed to work in the bank!

In 1937, Clarence opened his own store on Main Street, moving into living quarters above it. Winnie was able to put her banking experience to good use as the accountant for the family business. The store still operates today as Super Valu. Many of Winnifred and Clarence's descendants still live in the Valley.
A jewellery box on display at the Museum
Young people, including the women, spent much time in playing sports in the early 1900s. Sports were inexpensive, social, and entertaining. Dances were another source for great excitement, as the young ladies could dig out their finery, wear their lovely hats and put on their scarce supply of jewelry. Swimming parties at Lake Kathlyn or at Tyee Lake were also quite popular.

Hazeltons On-line
Smithers/Telkwa On-line
Houston/Topley On-line
Gransle On-line
Burns Lake On-line
copyright © 2001, Northwest Design, Smithers, B.C., Canada