Collection of slides, photos, and documents from John McLachlan regarding early smelter and Kitimat.
Slides - Three Kodak Carousels - colour
10 8 x 10 photos colour & b&w
Photocopies - Offer of Employment
Letter of Acceptance, Personnel
Introduction Form, Decaration of Regular
Employment, Job Description, three
colour photographs and paper framed b&w photograph
John McLachlan arrived in Kitimat in 1953 as a 23-year-old immigrant and went on to work at Alcan's Property Engineering Department for almost 40 years. He started out as a land surveyor and cartographer in the town's early years and ended his career as a Senior Legal Draftsmen.
Custodial History
Jean Lunny
Scope and Content
Collection of slides, photos, and documents from John McLachlan regarding early smelter and Kitimat.
Slides - Three Kodak Carousels - colour
10 8 x 10 photos colour & b&w
Photocopies - Offer of Employment
Letter of Acceptance, Personnel
Introduction Form, Decaration of Regular
Employment, Job Description, three
colour photographs and paper framed b&w photograph
Fonds consists of 27 slides showing the construction of Alcan Wharf (Caisson Dock Construction) and Kitimat Bridge, 25 slides showing the contruction of Alcan Plant Area, 48 photographs of early construction, 38 slides of early construction. Includes a ruler, ashtray, pie plate and stationery folder.
Art Coghlin was Paymaster for Kitimat Constructors in 1951. He left the company to open Coghlins Hardware in 1954.
Custodial History
Terry Voitchovsky
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of 27 slides showing the construction of Alcan Wharf (Caisson Dock Construction) and Kitimat Bridge, 25 slides showing the contruction of Alcan Plant Area, 48 photographs of early construction, 38 slides of early construction. Includes a ruler, ashtray, pie plate and stationery folder.
Molly worked + lived in Kitimat (1954-55). Worked at Alcan Pryde Machine Shop, last girl on Kitimat Constructors payroll. Liver at hospital, Smeltersite.
Scope and Content
Collection of photos consisting of Alcan, Smeltersite, Delta King, the sandhill, Kitimat River, Hirsch Creek bridge, Douglas Channel, and the wharf
Notes
Photos were most likely colour origianlly, but have degraded into a pink tone
Jamieson came to Kitimat from Vancouver to work on the Alcan project in 1952. With his first pay cheque he bought a small "Pony Kodak" camera at the local store (Hudson Bay?), and started taking coloured slides of the Kitimat from 1952-1953. Left Kitimat at the end of August 1953 to move to Montreal.
Scope and Content
Collection of 167 slides of the Kitimat project taken from summer 1952 - summer 1953.
Photographs taken by Glyn Jenkins, who worked for Alcan Aluminum Smelter Ltd. in 1952. He returned to Vancouver to continue his education and continued to work in the Steel Fabrication industry until he retired in 1985. He married Charlene Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins died in 2005.
Custodial History
Charlene Jenkins
Scope and Content
Photographs of construction, scenery, housing, and fishing at the Smeltersite, 1952.
Photos and blueprints created to record the building of the Alcan Smelter site, original townsite. collection includes negative of Prime Minister Diefenbaker with potline workers.
Other items include Formation of Commission By Law documents, Correspondance, Meetings documents, Maps and Land Use Plans, Annual Heritage Tea 1994 photos (12), Hirch Creek Field Trip photo, Member Lists, Sitka Spruce park opening and stamp proposal, Radley Park sign proposal, Corduroy Road photos and related material, Points of Interest Signs documents, Designated Heritage Sites Registry 1992-1995, Louise and Bianca Chioccarello with giant stump near Chamber photos (4), Early Construction Photos, Photo List, Heritage Week Flag documents and clippings.
Photos and blueprints created to record the building of the Alcan Smelter site, original townsite. collection includes negative of Prime Minister Diefenbaker with potline workers.
Other items include Formation of Commission By Law documents, Correspondance, Meetings documents, Maps and Land Use Plans, Annual Heritage Tea 1994 photos (12), Hirch Creek Field Trip photo, Member Lists, Sitka Spruce park opening and stamp proposal, Radley Park sign proposal, Corduroy Road photos and related material, Points of Interest Signs documents, Designated Heritage Sites Registry 1992-1995, Louise and Bianca Chioccarello with giant stump near Chamber photos (4), Early Construction Photos, Photo List, Heritage Week Flag documents and clippings.
Title based on content of fond.
1. John Manders on the stairwell of the Delta King
2. John Manders w/fellow from Ireland, walking down hallway of Delta King
3. John Manders w/Mike Durin outside walkway on the Delta King
4. Panoramic view, Anderson Creek Camp, new bunkhouses, on the left, old
bunkhouses, Anderson Creek Bridge at the back, a bit of trailer court on the right
5. Anderson Creek Camp - old bunkhouses, Anderson Creek Bridge, Trailer Camp
6. Anderson Hill Trailer Camp
7. John Manders (right) & friend, outside CN Station
8. Locomotive, one of the first trains in Kitimat
9. Smeltersite looking southeast
10. John Manders on his 1996 Harley Davidson, FLHT
11. Slide Photo locomotive, one of the first trains in Kitimat
12. Slide photo John Manders (right) & friend, outside CN station
13. Slide photo Smeltersite looking southeast
14. Kitimat Hotel, which opened May 26, 1955
15. Panoramic view, Anderson Hill Trailer Camp & Anderson Creek Camp were two
separate places. In the panormaic view Anderson Creek Camp has barracks -
located in the left background. Anderson Hill Trailer Camp is located in the
foreground - all the way across the panoramic view
Gabriel (Gabor) Nyeste was one of the leaders of the Scouts of the First Kitimat Troop (Boy Scouts). He moved to Kitimat to work on the Alcan project and left in the early 60s. He passed away in Kamloops in July 2020.
Custodial History
Donated by Gabriel Nyeste, Aug 6 1983.
Scope and Content
Pictures, clippings, letters of early Girl Guide and Boy Scout Movement in Kitimat, B.C. 1955-1961.
8 photos of Alcan Engineering. 1) Looking East From Centre Passageway Bldg 7B 2) Completed Roof Fan Walking on Potroom 8B West 3) Looking West in Potroom 8B West from Column Line 12 4) Potroom 8B East Looking East from Centre Passageway 5) General View of Progress of Work in Potline 8A East 6) Potroom 8B East Looking East from Centre Passageway 7) Looking East from Centre Passageway Bldg 8A 8) Looking West from Centre Passageway Bldg 8A
8 photos of Alcan Engineering. 1) Looking East From Centre Passageway Bldg 7B 2) Completed Roof Fan Walking on Potroom 8B West 3) Looking West in Potroom 8B West from Column Line 12 4) Potroom 8B East Looking East from Centre Passageway 5) General View of Progress of Work in Potline 8A East 6) Potroom 8B East Looking East from Centre Passageway 7) Looking East from Centre Passageway Bldg 8A 8) Looking West from Centre Passageway Bldg 8A
10 slides featuring image of Kitimat in 1980. Slides include images of the Safety Building, hospital, an aerial, Moore Creek waterfall, golf course, centennial park, Lakelse Lake, Alcan Office, and Kitimat River.
10 slides featuring image of Kitimat in 1980. Slides include images of the Safety Building, hospital, an aerial, Moore Creek waterfall, golf course, centennial park, Lakelse Lake, Alcan Office, and Kitimat River.
Fonds consists of two files of materials collected and produced by the Kitimat Valley Naturalists:
F1) Contents of the secretary-treasurer's duotang, 1996-1998. Includes meeting minutes, correspondence, receipts, financial documents, mailing lists, 1997 annual report, photocopied map, events schedule, Federation of BC Naturalists membership info, sign-up sheet for Douglas Channel boat trip, correspondence from Creston Valley Wildlife Area, materials re: Gisela Mendel Native Plant Garden, draft write-up for Iron Oxbow Wildlife Viewing Area along the Kitimat River, and ephemera from the inside front cover of the duotang (receipt from Fed. of BC Naturalists, business cards for Aurora Charters and Reid Crowther Consulting Engineers).
F2) Materials related to Pine Creek Protective Covenant, 2003-2014. This covenant was established by Rio Tinto Alcan, the Haisla Nation, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to protect the Pine Creek hiking trail and its watercourse near Minette Bay. Folder includes correspondence, signage text, Land Title Act forms, maps, and a Master Watercourse Crossing List from Coastal GasLink.
The Kitimat Valley Naturalists are a non-profit organization with the goal of learning about and enjoying the natural history of the Kitimat Valley. They were founded in 1996 and are still active as of 2023. Their projects include an annual Christmas bird count, construction of bat condos, monitoring amphibian numbers, and mapping eelgrass beds in the Douglas Channel.
Custodial History
Items were donated by Susan and Walter Thorne, longtime members of the Kitimat Valley Naturalists, on February 16th 2023. The fonds was arranged and described by Museum staff in April 2023.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of two files of materials collected and produced by the Kitimat Valley Naturalists:
F1) Contents of the secretary-treasurer's duotang, 1996-1998. Includes meeting minutes, correspondence, receipts, financial documents, mailing lists, 1997 annual report, photocopied map, events schedule, Federation of BC Naturalists membership info, sign-up sheet for Douglas Channel boat trip, correspondence from Creston Valley Wildlife Area, materials re: Gisela Mendel Native Plant Garden, draft write-up for Iron Oxbow Wildlife Viewing Area along the Kitimat River, and ephemera from the inside front cover of the duotang (receipt from Fed. of BC Naturalists, business cards for Aurora Charters and Reid Crowther Consulting Engineers).
F2) Materials related to Pine Creek Protective Covenant, 2003-2014. This covenant was established by Rio Tinto Alcan, the Haisla Nation, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to protect the Pine Creek hiking trail and its watercourse near Minette Bay. Folder includes correspondence, signage text, Land Title Act forms, maps, and a Master Watercourse Crossing List from Coastal GasLink.
Notes
Three reports collected by the KVN - "An Assessment of the Kitimat Iron Oxbow Proposed Wildlife Viewing Area," "Blue Carbon - The Case for the Conservation and Enhancement of Estuarine Processes and Sediments in BC," and "Coastal Wetlands Habitat Assessment and Classification for Northwestern British Columbia" - have been added to the Museum's Reference Library.
Conservation
Removed from original duotang/folders. Staples removed.
Storage Location
Box 29
Arrangement
F1) has been left in original order, apart from ephemera which was removed from the inside cover of the duotang.
F2) has been arranged in roughly chronological order.
The Prince Rupert Daily News is a community oriented newspaper that has been in continuous print for nearly one hundred years. With a proud tradition as the paper of record for Prince Rupert, BC since 1911, the Daily News is still going strong today. The newspaper provides their community and others with the latest information on local news, sports, and cultural activities around the area and important issues concerning Prince Rupert and the North Coast.
Custodial History
Stored at the Prince Rupert Daily News until the collection was transfered, as part of a larger collection, to the Prince Rupert City & Regional Archives. The part of the collection pertaining to Kitimat/Kemano was transfered to the Kitimat Museum & Archives in January of 2010.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of photographs of the Alcan Smelter casting in Kitimat, power operations and residential areas in Kemano.
Collection of folders and other materials relating to early Kitimat.
Misc items
985.65.1 - 1 menu - Kitimat Constructors Dec 25th, 1951
985.65.2 - official opening of the 1st Kitimat School, Sept 26, 1952
985.65.2 - 1st airmail despatch from Kitimat (Queen Charlotte Airlines Ltd)
985.65.3a - to Mrs. Whiting - 1st airmail left Kitimat - Sept 20, 1952
985.65.3b - Envelope signed by Postmaster
985.65.4 - Clipping - Postmark 'Kitimat'
Clippings
985.65.5 - Yacht Becomes 'Work' Vessel (Nechako)
985.65.6 - Alcan Asks Gov't Okay Kitimat to be Planned Town
985.65.7 - Terrace-Kitimat Rail Line Approved
985.65.8 - Striking Kitimat Men Here
985.65.9 - Beauty, Thrills in Aluminum City
985.65.10 - City Hacked Out of Wilderness
985.65.11 - 7-year Canasa, US Aluminum Pact Set - Kitimat Major Supplier
985.65.12 - Kitimat Power Repairs Rushed
985.65.13 - Conciliation Board Called for Kitimat
985.65.14 - Biggest Industrial Project is Speeded (Alum Co. Ltd, will be world's largest alum maker)
985.65.15 - B.C.'s Huge Aluminum Project
985.65.16 - Cdn Affairs: B.C. A Land of Infinite Borders
985.65.17 - Underground Powerhouse was carved from bedrock a quarter-mile inside DuBose Mtn
985.65.18 - Extract from "The Seattle Times" April 14, 1952 "Cheap Canada Aluminum Poses Problem"
985.65.34 - Kitimat Constructors Instructions to Employees, 1952
985.65.35 - The School 'The Apha' 1953 - Kitimat Smelter Site School
985.65.36 - Detailed Map BC Coast page one & two
985.65.39 - Book - The Alcan Story - presented by Dietrich-Collins Equipment Ltd
Delta King clippings
985.65.44 - Kitimat Gets Floating Hotel May 13, 1952
985.65.45 - Delta King Sails Back to Bright Lights April 29, 1959
985.65.46 - Gould's Latest Dream - The Delta King (Don't Count Barney Out)
985.65.47 - Delta King Returning
985.65.48 - Delta King May Find a Home - San Francisco Chronicle, June 13, 1964
985.65.53 - Water Sweeps into Reservoir as Alcan Pushes Huge Project - Oct, 1952
985.65.54 - Cdn West Coast, Carl Agar, a disciple of Igor Sikorsky, making aviation history
985.65.55 - Magazine Article: At Kitimat, Men Juggle Geography (fortune mag. 1952)
985.65.57-68 - coloured photos 1952 - sandhill
985.65-70 - clipping - construction world mag "Several Alcan Project Features Greatest in the World
Al Beaton's Books 'Casey Sez'
985.65.19-33
986.5.1 - Booklet - Electrical Eng. & Operating Aspects of Alcan's BC Project
986.5.5 - Kitimat Constructors Organizational Chart
986.5.3 - Resident Angler's License #21913K H.M. Whiting - 1953
986.5.4 - Kitimat Rod and Gun Association Life Membership - H. Whiting
Collection of photos and printed matter relative to early Kitimat (1950's). This collection was owned by Mr. H. M. (Hal) Whiting project manager for Kitimat Constructors builders of Kitimat.
Scope and Content
Collection of folders and other materials relating to early Kitimat.
Misc items
985.65.1 - 1 menu - Kitimat Constructors Dec 25th, 1951
985.65.2 - official opening of the 1st Kitimat School, Sept 26, 1952
985.65.2 - 1st airmail despatch from Kitimat (Queen Charlotte Airlines Ltd)
985.65.3a - to Mrs. Whiting - 1st airmail left Kitimat - Sept 20, 1952
985.65.3b - Envelope signed by Postmaster
985.65.4 - Clipping - Postmark 'Kitimat'
Clippings
985.65.5 - Yacht Becomes 'Work' Vessel (Nechako)
985.65.6 - Alcan Asks Gov't Okay Kitimat to be Planned Town
985.65.7 - Terrace-Kitimat Rail Line Approved
985.65.8 - Striking Kitimat Men Here
985.65.9 - Beauty, Thrills in Aluminum City
985.65.10 - City Hacked Out of Wilderness
985.65.11 - 7-year Canasa, US Aluminum Pact Set - Kitimat Major Supplier
985.65.12 - Kitimat Power Repairs Rushed
985.65.13 - Conciliation Board Called for Kitimat
985.65.14 - Biggest Industrial Project is Speeded (Alum Co. Ltd, will be world's largest alum maker)
985.65.15 - B.C.'s Huge Aluminum Project
985.65.16 - Cdn Affairs: B.C. A Land of Infinite Borders
985.65.17 - Underground Powerhouse was carved from bedrock a quarter-mile inside DuBose Mtn
985.65.18 - Extract from "The Seattle Times" April 14, 1952 "Cheap Canada Aluminum Poses Problem"
985.65.34 - Kitimat Constructors Instructions to Employees, 1952
985.65.35 - The School 'The Apha' 1953 - Kitimat Smelter Site School
985.65.36 - Detailed Map BC Coast page one & two
985.65.39 - Book - The Alcan Story - presented by Dietrich-Collins Equipment Ltd
Delta King clippings
985.65.44 - Kitimat Gets Floating Hotel May 13, 1952
985.65.45 - Delta King Sails Back to Bright Lights April 29, 1959
985.65.46 - Gould's Latest Dream - The Delta King (Don't Count Barney Out)
985.65.47 - Delta King Returning
985.65.48 - Delta King May Find a Home - San Francisco Chronicle, June 13, 1964
985.65.53 - Water Sweeps into Reservoir as Alcan Pushes Huge Project - Oct, 1952
985.65.54 - Cdn West Coast, Carl Agar, a disciple of Igor Sikorsky, making aviation history
985.65.55 - Magazine Article: At Kitimat, Men Juggle Geography (fortune mag. 1952)
985.65.57-68 - coloured photos 1952 - sandhill
985.65-70 - clipping - construction world mag "Several Alcan Project Features Greatest in the World
Al Beaton's Books 'Casey Sez'
985.65.19-33
986.5.1 - Booklet - Electrical Eng. & Operating Aspects of Alcan's BC Project
986.5.5 - Kitimat Constructors Organizational Chart
986.5.3 - Resident Angler's License #21913K H.M. Whiting - 1953
986.5.4 - Kitimat Rod and Gun Association Life Membership - H. Whiting
Photo album (cover missing) and assorted loose photos of smelter construction in the 1950's with panoramas, unidentified navy ship, haisla bridge, smelter, Caisson dock. Photo album includes aerials, potline construction, worker accommodation, power operations construction, Haisla bridge, caisson dock, dredging, transportation, and sandhill.
Photo album (cover missing) and assorted loose photos of smelter construction in the 1950's with panoramas, unidentified navy ship, haisla bridge, smelter, Caisson dock. Photo album includes aerials, potline construction, worker accommodation, power operations construction, Haisla bridge, caisson dock, dredging, transportation, and sandhill.
Notes
Photos removed from album pages and put in envelopes.
Alice Dicker's father, Benard, came to Canada to work in 1955. He was a forman D-shift for Alcan. He married Anna in 1959. Alice and her sister Claudia were born in Kitimat and the family lived here until 1969, at which time they returned to Germany.
Custodial History
Alice Dicker Sent this Collection of 41 photographs from Hechingen, Germany.
Scope and Content
41 photographs of Kitimat construction and life, for example: The garbage gobbler, snow days, parades, signs, hospital beach, Nechako candy store
