The Douglas Trail was constructed in the fall of 1858. This was the first public works project on the mainland. It was initiated by Governor Douglas to ensure food and freight could be transported to the goldfields inland.
A large donation of textual records and ephemera relevant to the business of the Co-op between the years of 1941-1966, was recently processed.
"Early in 1941, a group of farmers and businessmen formed the Pemberton and District Co-operative Association with the object of obtaining feed and supplies more cheaply. Starting in a very small way with a working capital of $500 borrowed from its members, the Co-op opened a small store, but its main business centered on the warehouse built near the railroad tracks. Soon, phasing itself out of the grocery part of the business, the Co-op took over the "Snowflake" brand from the Board of Trade, and became actively involved in the shipment of both potatoes and turnips through the Interior Vegetable Marketing Board.
By 1954 the demands of the Vancouver wholesalers for washed potatoes provided an incentive for the Pemberton Co-op to approach the government for assitance in building a packing house which, with considerable government help, was eventually completed in the fall of 1956.
The Co-op served a useful purpose as a shipping agent and supplier at a time when transportation was difficult and phone service was unreliable or, as in its early days, nonexistent. The road to Vancouver, in 1966, finally put an end to the Co-op; produce could be shipped direct, and sacks, feed, fertilizer and other farm needs delivered to the farmer's gate from mainland suppliers".
Decker, Fougberg, Ronayne, "Pemberton: The History of a Settlement". Pemberton Pioneer Women, Pemberton, B.C., (1977); pg. 230.
Volunteers interested in helping with Archiving can assist by preping documents for accessioning by removing staples and elastic bands from this large volume of textual records. If you are interested in helping please speak with the curator.
Tags: pemberton, coop, records, donation
Categories: Museum News
