The Jasper Signal. Annual General Meeting. Tuesday, April 8th, So how is the museum doing? Jasper-Yellowhead Historical Society SPRING 2008

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1 Jasper-Yellowhead Historical Society SPRING 2008 Annual General Meeting Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 It s True! Did you know that 2008 marks the 30th year of Fred Kofin s reign as JYHS treasurer? He was even on hand when the first dollar was contributed to the Museum Building Development Fund back in Cabins in the Woods Can you help us identify these two warden cabins? Bridgland Room 7 pm Meeting 8 pm Presentation The Life & Legend of Bob Barker Parks Canada Warden,Retired Refreshments to follow. So how is the museum doing? The Jasper National Park centennial year saw an increase in both museum admissions and sales and we were pleased with the public s response to our feature exhibit, Rough Trails & Wild Tales, a hundred years of stories. Both the Fitzhugh and the Jasper Booster gave us excellent coverage and we were involved in many special events during the summer months. The board, staff and volunteers also put in a huge fundraising effort. The auction at the Shindig of the Century, the Taste of the Town, and the Jasper Park Lodge golf tournament were some of our most successful events. The auction alone brought in over $11,000. Many people quietly approached us with generous donations over the course of the year and we also saw our membership and patron list expand. So, the answer to the question is, we are holding our own. We d like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to support the museum. Inside this issue: JYHS Retreat...2 Archives News... 3 Collections News 5 Profit & Loss..5 Book Talk.6 Historical Outing..6 Gallery Schedule...7 Gift Shop News Historical Society Patrons...8

2 Page 2 is a publication of the Jasper- Yellowhead Historical Society that tells the story of Jasper s regional heritage both natural and cultural while presenting the activities and priorities of the Society. is named after Signal Mountain. Submissions may be sent to: Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives PO Box 42, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0 Phone (780) manager@jaspermuseum.org Mission Statement The Jasper-Yellowhead Historical Society will promote awareness, understanding and appreciation of our regional heritage, both natural and cultural, to the residents and visitors JYHS Directors 2007 President Mike Cameron Board Members Cynthia Ball Bob Bell Mike Day Fred Kofin Richard Ireland Shelley MacQueen Herb Robinson Ken Walker Mike Wasuita Warren Waxer Historian Joe Couture Board Holds Development Workshop On Saturday, February 23 rd, the Board of JYHS participated in an informative and helpful belly-button gazing exercise that we hope will assist our Society in better furthering our goals. The workshop was facilitated by Kim Ghostkeeper and Gene Roach of Alberta Community Development. The morning involved seven Board members exploring the nature of our Board, the roles of various stakeholders in our organization and ways to develop a more effective organization. As a Governing Board, the relationships between ourselves as policy setters, staff and volunteers are illustrated by the image of the train. Your Board decides on the direction of the organization and shines the way. Our Museum Manager manages the journey, and staff and volunteers implement the strategies and policies developed. In the afternoon, the Board, joined by five staff members and volunteers, participated in a visioning and prioritizing exercise that all found to be very helpful. The process found us brainstorming as a group and coming up with some pretty familiar themes, including the need for fundraising, enhancing visibility in the community and determining the future of the adjacent empty lot. An important result of the process was the realization of how far we ve come and how many things we have to celebrate. It is easy to forget those successes when confronting the daily challenges and stresses that continually arise. The Jasper Yellowhead Historical Society has much to be proud of, and with our dedicated staff and volunteers, there is much reason for optimism as we move forward. By Herb Robinson

3 Page 3 Otto s Cache: Another Look at One of Jasper s Oldest Outfitting Companies In 1909, three brothers arrived at Fitzhugh (Jasper), a sparsely populated town, inhabited primarily by Grand Trunk Pacific (GTP) Railway labourers working furiously to lay track that would open up Northern Alberta and British Columbia to tourists and entrepreneurs. The Otto brothers, (Jack, Closson, and Bruce) a cross breed of adventurers and entrepreneurs, saw Fitzhugh as an ideal location to cater to those looking to experience the wild Canadian Rockies and perhaps bag a few trophies. The brothers had come to Fitzhugh from Field and Golden, British Columbia where they already had a well-established reputation as guides and outfitters. In 1911, when Mary Schaffer returned to Chaba Imne (Maligne Lake) with a group that was interested in recording scientific features of the region, she requested the help of her old friends, the Otto brothers, to act as outfitter and guide. In order to ensure that the group would have an easier time reaching their destination, Jack guided the group through the often-treacherous terrain and made sure that the group was comfortable at camp. He also assisted in the transportation of lumber that would be made into a river style boat to explore the lake. Meanwhile, Closson and Bruce were sent ahead to cut a trail, which was unexpectedly covered in several feet of snow. This did not discourage the industrious duo. They carved two shovels from a couple of large spruce trees and dug out a trail, leaving the hand hewn shovels to mark the trail head. It was this type of backcountry survival skill that made the Ottos the first choice of many adventurers. Another well-known client of the Otto brothers was James Oliver Curwood, an author whose novels paid homage to the wild Canadian landscape. Curwood s tales told of bears, wild mountain men, and plucky women who dared to trade the safety of civilized society for the unruly, rustic wilds of nature. Curwood even immortalized Bruce Otto in one of his most well known novels, The Grizzly King. The Otto brothers also outfitted for Sherlock Holmes author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, during his highly publicized promotional tour, sponsored by the Grand Trunk Pacific (GTP) to help bring attention to newly completed stretches of track. Another party, also sponsored by the GTP Railway, in hopes of drumming up publicity for the region, as an exclusive tourist destination, was a group headed by Dr. Charles Doolittle Walcott, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Walcott had visited Jasper Park before to study fossils embedded in shale rock. This time, he hired Closson Otto to guide the group through the park and across the provincial boundary into the Mount Robson region. Thanks to the ASA Access to Holdings Grant program, funding was received to process, arrange, and describe some of the archive backlog. Included in this backlog were two boxes of photographs that had been

4 Page 4 donated by a now deceased niece of the Otto brothers and it was within these boxes that a small envelope containing eight forgotten photographs of Walcott s party and their activities was rediscovered. There was a note with each photograph that gave names, locations and other pieces of interesting information, each one typed by Dr. Walcott, himself. The detective inside me was immediately intrigued and I was interested in finding more information about Walcott s visit to Alberta. My search led me to numerous on-line databases, including that of the Smithsonian Institute ( The site allows access to numerous articles and scientific dissertations, which shed some light on the work being done by Walcott and his colleagues during their visits to the Canadian Rockies. Eventually, the trail led me led me back to the archives research library, to the ever-resourceful Canadian Alpine Journal. I managed to locate a volume that contained a couple of articles written about Walcott s visit and his hope to classify new species of flora and fauna: The expedition was made possible through the co-operation of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, which contributed handsomely towards the expenses Subsequent co-operation and financial assistance by the British Columbia, Alberta and Dominion Governments made it possible to enlarge the scope of the expedition, and an investigation of the fauna, flora, and geology was added to the topographical work first planned. An attempt was made to interest Canadian scientists in the expedition, but without success, so the matter was submitted to Dr. Charles Walcott, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, who collaborated most heartily (Canadian Alpine Journal (1912), vol. 4., p. 3) Along with his son, Sydney, his personal assistant and excellent marksman Harry Blagden, colleague Dr. I. F. Burgen, a packer identified as Arthur Brown (possibly provided by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway) and Closson Otto (outfitter), the group set about collecting various specimen. The party had been given special permission from the Chief Superintendent of Dominion Parks, Mr. Howard Douglas, and the Chief Game guardian for the Province of Alberta: to secure specimens of game and other animals and birds for scientific purposes (Canadian Alpine Journal (1912), vol. 4, p. 3). However, the most interesting information would not be found through the usual avenues, but arrived at the archives in the hands of a most generous and enthusiastic patron: unaware of the serendipitous nature of his visit, he presented me with a rather tattered looking album, which to my surprise, was filled with professional photographs taken during the Walcott s visit in 1912 (the same date that appeared in the notes I had from Walcott). The album documented the group s extended travels from Winnipeg, along the Grand Trunk line through to Jasper, then later to TeteJaune Cache, and eventually ending at Prince Rupert; a part of the story that had not been included with the photographs that Walcott had sent Otto. Walcott s photographs have since been processed, described and digitized and are now accessible on the Alberta Society of Archives, Alberta In- Sight database and thanks to continued financial support from the ASA, researchers now have another piece to the puzzle that is Jasper s history. By Meghan Power, Archives Manager

5 Page 5 The Mystery of the Carved Trees On the front deck of the museum stands a section of a tree with carvings on the front and back. It came from the Camp Parker area where there are many culturally modified trees still standing. It fell in the spring of 2002 and was moved to this location to protect the carvings. The card suit design on the front has been attributed to Joe Cosley. Joe Cosley was well known in the Waterton Lakes area and in Glacier National Park where he trapped and worked as a park ranger from Cosley s travels in the Banff and Jasper area are not yet documented but he has been linked to a structure in Howse Pass. The carved face on the reverse was originally attributed to Frank Burstrom Jr. who was said to have carved it in the 1970s. This has since been proved incorrect. There is a photograph of this carving in the archives collection taken by Joan Robson while on a pack horse trip with Jack Brewster over the Glacier Trail, July 3 to 23, We would appreciate help in solving this mystery. Camp Parker tree carving 1927 Tree carving 2008 By Dee Dee Bartlett, Collections Manager JYHS Profit & Loss 2007 Income General $174, Cost of Goods 28, Gross Profit $146, Expenses General $37, Personnel 99, Grants 7, Total $144, Bears in the Alley: among other places Life with bears means ignoring them, chasing them and sometimes, tripping over them in the dark. Enjoy these stories by Jasper s residents and visitors about their encounters with bears. Hot off the press in June

6 Page 6 The Friends of Jasper National Park & Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives are pleased to host : Ian Mc Laren Author of Culturing Wilderness in Jasper National Park Talk on Tuesday May 27 7:30 pm at Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives 400 Pyramid Lake Rd. Bridgland Room Everyone welcome. Field trip on Wednesday, May 28 at 10 am by reservation only. Please contact Heather Aussant at for your ticket. Mel Tayor, Toni Klettl & Fred Brewster Jasper Yellowhead Historical Society picnic at the Whirlpool River, 1964 JYMA Historical Outing The History of the Whirlpool Sunday, June pm Whirlpool Group Camp Highway 93A From the days of David Thompson to the logging camps of the 1930 s, the Whirlpool valley has been an important part of Jasper s history. Bring a mug and a chair and join us for bannock and a hot drink by the fire!

7 Page 7 THANK YOU! Gallery Schedule Great News Thanks to Ken Walker / Parks Canada we were recently awarded funding from Kinder Morgan. In 2007 while working on the M.O.U. with Parks Canada a need for further funding to properly manage the Parks collection at the museum was identified. Ken applied on behalf of the museum to have the project funded by Kinder Morgan. They have recently announced that $20,000 will be given to the museum for the JNP / Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives Park Collection Conservation Project. Thank you Ken! must Our last Coffee Hour for this winter will be Tuesday,April 22th at 10:30 am We hope to start up our summer mini outings in June. Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives Museum Summer Hours (May-Sept) 10am to 5 pm daily Archives Monday-Wednesday 9 am - noon & 1-4 pm Please phone for an appointment. A JYHS enviro tip: Save Fred s energy by renewing your JYHS membership at the museum today! Admission Adults $5 Students & Seniors $4 Families $12 Members & Children 5 and under Free JYHS Yearly Membership Fees Individual $15 Family $25 Patron $100 The Alcove Gallery Until May One Room, One Teacher & a Yardstick A turn of the century school room in the alcove cabin. May David Thompson Bicentennial Quilt Project June-September Secret No Longer: Mary Schaffer s Jas:per, 1908 and 1911 Courtesy of the Whyte Museum October Jack Beder Courtesy of the Canadian Art Gallery Showcase Gallery 2008 Apr 4-27 Jasper Artists Guild Presents: Richard Bings imposition2 May 4-31 Lake Edith Artists June 9-September 30 Bears in the Alley: among other places Jasper and bears go hand in hand. Developed in cooperation with Parks Canada, this summer s exhibit tells the ever evolving story of Jasper s relationship with bears. October Tristen Overy

8 Page 8 Gift Shop News 2007 Patrons Spring is officially here! Leave your den and come on down to the Museum gift shop! A new buffalo herd will soon be on the move. The migration should begin very soon. Keep your ear to the ground and listen for the rumbling! This new addition is inspired by the original buffalo plaque that served as a park entry pass for Jasper National Park. Other Rocky Mountain National Parks, such as Banff, also used this type of plaque as en entry pass. It might be tempting to all those people out there looking for something a little different with a historical connection to the Rocky Mountain National Parks. If only today s park pass had as much animal magnetism! For those book lovers out there, and I know who you are, we have some new titles on the shelves. The long awaited Culturing Wilderness in Jasper National Park is now available. This assemblage of essays takes on many aspects of Jasper National Park s evolution,from a daunting wilderness corridor used in the early fur trade years, to a protected forest park to today s World Unesco designated national pride. Another good read is Jasper Wanderings, by Jamie Higham. Having spent a considerable amount of time wandering about the park, in part due to a family connection here, he has put together an amusing little book filled with a mixture of historical data and odd facts. Hopefully in May, two new books by Ben Gadd will be available. These upcoming titles are: Canadian Rockies Geology Road Tour, and Canadian Hiker s & Backpacker s Guidebook. They promise to be informative and very digestible, whether you are the seasoned geologist, a weekend backpacker or the everyday layperson wanting to understand a little more about the hunks of rocks surrounding us called the Rocky Mountains. As per usual, I am always keeping my eye out for books by local authors and local crafts. You will just have to come in and see for yourself what treasures I have discovered! Need a meeting room? Website and Addresses: $30 per evening or half day manager@jaspermuseum.org $60 for a full day archives@jaspermuseum.org collections@jaspermuseum.org We have an LCD and exhibits@jaspermuseum.org giftshop@jaspermuseum.org overhead projector available. Addison Family Frederick L. Appleyard Rob Arbuthnott Astoria Hotel Bear Hill Lodge Pat Bell Mike & Anna Cassio Sue & Al Cesco Ian Coates Family Sheila & Joe Couture Gwen Craig Laureen DiStefano Olga & Bob Dowling Mildred Flanagan Edith Gourley Dong Kwon Han Houston Insurance Brokers Jasper Adventure Centre Jasper House Bungalows Kennedy/Yeaman Family Gabrielle Koebel Kofin Financial Group Frank Lough John McLay Family Anne and John Ogilvy James Pasko Peak Automotive Tom & Vi Peterson Family Pine Bungalows Herb Robinson Family Bill Ruddy Family Teresa & Adrian Smith Marilyn & Ron Steers Sunwapta Falls Resort Don & Edna Weekes Thank You for your Generous Support