Kitimat was the place to be in North America in the 1950s. The massive Alcan project in the northwest British Columbia was completed in just five years - dam, tunnel, powerhouse, Kemano, transmission line, smelter, and Kitimat. Browse through Kitimat history with these project images - a BC digital collection. The project was one of the most photographed and filmed construction jobs in BC history.
Kitimat was the place to be in North America in the 1950s. The massive Alcan project in the northwest British Columbia was completed in just five years - dam, tunnel, powerhouse, Kemano, transmission line, smelter, and Kitimat. Browse through Kitimat history with these project images - a BC digital collection. The project was one of the most photographed and filmed construction jobs in BC history.
Photograph of aerial overview of the Alcan project in the 1950s. View is from very high up. Douglas Channel, the Kitimat River Estuary, Smeltersite, and early beginnings of townsite are visible. Snow mountain ranges in background.
From the years 1953-1958, Mike Kinnear took photos during his school years, until graduation, while working for Fred Ryan Ltd. after school and holidays. Photos for him was a hobby, and he took many photos of the smelter and townsite as it grew around him. Mike also took a number of photos for the Kitimat Northern Sentinel, during the Ken Brumley and Pixie Meldrum years as editors. Mike and his family left Kitimat in 1958, but he spent the best part of 40 years in the photographic field, mainly in the retail/wholesale part of the photo industry.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret and Mike Kinnear.
Scope and Content
Photograph of aerial overview of the Alcan project in the 1950s. View is from very high up. Douglas Channel, the Kitimat River Estuary, Smeltersite, and early beginnings of townsite are visible. Snow mountain ranges in background.
Photograph of a large cheque being presented to the Northwest Alcohol & Drug Counselling Service for $4899 from the Aluminum City Telethon. From left to right are NWADCS Counsellor Liam Hyland, ACT Director Dorothy Cheyne, ACT Treasurer Isobel Kay, ACT Chairman Stan Green, ACT member Muriel Greenlaw, and ACT Secretary Gerry Deiter.
The Aluminum City Telethon was started in 1980. The Kitimat Sports Association was approached by the board of directors of the Child Development Centre, and asked for their assistance in raising funds. The idea of a Telethon was agreed on and a committee was formed.
Each year the Telethon executive receives requests from the different non-profit organizations within our own community. They then decide on how to disburse the funds raised that year. after the letters of requests are reviewed and a brief presentation is made to the board of directors explaining how the money received will be spent.
Custodial History
Dorothy Cheyne
Scope and Content
Photograph of a large cheque being presented to the Northwest Alcohol & Drug Counselling Service for $4899 from the Aluminum City Telethon. From left to right are NWADCS Counsellor Liam Hyland, ACT Director Dorothy Cheyne, ACT Treasurer Isobel Kay, ACT Chairman Stan Green, ACT member Muriel Greenlaw, and ACT Secretary Gerry Deiter.