Morinville in the ‘20s

Back in 1924, the final year Amédée Brochu was mayor, an article was published in one of the papers outlining all that Morinville, then a town of 500 people, had going for it. In reality, it was likely that the little blurb was a promotional piece published in papers outside the town to promote all the town was, and to attract more residents to the community. Whatever the real purpose of the words, they are as follows:

An Enterprising Town That is Marching On to Success

The Town of Morinville is situated on the Athabasca Branch of the C.N.R., 32 miles north of Edmonton. The Edmonton Dunvegan Branch Line also runs through Morinville.

Morinville is surrounded by one of the best mixed farming districts in Alberta, and such a thing as a crop failure is unknown. The soil is that or a rich, black loam, with a clay subsoil. Not less than 526 carloads of grain was shipped from this point in the past year, which tells a story of productivity better than large words or phrases. Mixed farming is carried on extensively in all parts of the district. There were 48 carloads of livestock shipped from Morinville in the year 1924. The best of water is obtainable in all parts of the district at a depth of 60 to 180 feet.

The businessmen of Morinville are live and progressive, having modern buildings and up-to-date offices. The stores are of the best, carrying large stocks to cater to the rural population, and giving dollar for dollar value. The best of educational facilities are obtainable in both town and district, having a Public School, and an excellent Separate School. The Convent is an institution worthy of mention, being a credit to both town and district.

Morinville is the home of 500 happy, contented people, pretty homes, clean streets and lanes, all of which attest to the spirit and character of the splendid townspeople. Come to see or come to stay. In either case you will be pleased, and we of Morinville will be pleased.

We’re All Boosters Here

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2 Comments

  1. Must be a miss-print or a smudge on the original paper…. After all I’ve been told many times over that the schools have been the way they are now since the first settler stopped here because his feet were sore.

    Regards;

    Thomas Kirsop

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