Gerry Beaubier was born in Wainwright, Alberta to Beatty and Babe Beaubier. He completed his high school in Saskatoon, before receiving a BSc in Geography from Brandon University.
Before attending university Gerry served in the army as a special reserve, while working as a night clerk at the Bessbourough Hotel in Saskatoon. His post-graduate career consisted primarily of work for Canada Agriculture, under the PFRA Branch (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration). Later he would work as an Executive Manager, helping develop forage and range management programs for several post secondary schools, including, Assiniboine Community College, as well as schools in Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Saskatoon.
Gerry Beaubier married Joyce Abercrombie, of Saskatoon. Together they had two sons: Neil and Dean. Neil, an Account Advisor for the Royal Bank, was born in Regina, and currently works in Swift Current. Dean was born in Swift Current, received his PhD in Education and currently lives in Forrest working at Elton Collegiate.
The Beaubiers, who were originally from Ireland, emigrated to the Canadian West, making Gerry part of the fourth generation of his family to call the region home. His great-grandfather, along with his grandfather and great uncle were amongst the first one hundred settlers in Brandon. Together they first built the Beaubier House, a boarding house for early settlers and travellers. After it burnt down they began construction on the Beaubier Hotel, which stood at the corner of 8th Street and Princess Avenue in Brandon until August 17th, 2008. His grandfather, David Wilson Beaubier, continued to build and operate hotels throughout the prairies, including the Empire Hotels (of Brandon and Saskatoon) and The Park (Moose Jaw).
David Wilson Beaubier served as a secretary of the Orange Lodge of Manitoba. As an Orange Lodge Colonel, he worked with other Orange Lodge members, to recruit throughout the prairies for the purpose of World War One. For his efforts , David was promoted to Leftenant Colonel, and later Captain of the 99th Manitoba Rangers. David's sons (Gerry’s father, at University of Manitoba, and uncle at McGill), were both working towards undergraduate degrees when war broke out in 1914, and each would leave school to join their father at Camp Hughes.
Custodial History
Gerry Beaubier collected these photos primarily in the years 2000-2011, largely
from family and friends who knew of his interest in the topic. They were donated to the S.J. Mckee Archives in 2011.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of digital photographs of those who trained for battle in World War I at Camp Hughes and in Brandon, Manitoba. It also includes a digital copy of the cover of the Nominal Roll of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men, who departed from Brandon in 1917.
The photos, taken primarily at Camp Hughes, are of a number of battalions, including the 34th, 100th, 108th, 181st and 214th. The photo, PT in England, is a postcard sent home from Beaty Beaubier. The Massey Harris building seen on the right side of, WW1 B parade0001, was used to house troops throughout the war. The man standing alone at the front of the parade in, 181 Parade, is David Wilson Beaubier.
Notes
Information for the biographical and custodial histories was provided by Gerry Beaubier on September 25, 2013. Description by Dustin Lane (October 2013).
During the mid-1930s the economy and popularity of light, fast passenger trains were proven in the USA by the Burlington’s "Zephyr", the Rock Island’s "Rocket", and the Milwaukee Road’s "Hiawatha". In 1936 the CPR built engines 3000-3004, designing each to haul a lightweight baggage car and three day coaches. Before being assigned to "The Chinook" between Calgary and Edmonton, engine 3001 and its train made an extensive publicity tour of western Canada.
[Built by Montreal Locomotive Works in 1936, this class of five F2a 4-4-4 locomotives (3000 - 3004) were named "Jubilee" type in honour of the 50th anniversary of CPR transcontinental service. P.E.]
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
CPR streamlined engine No. 3001 & train
Notes
Canadian Pacific Railway's first streamlined engine [class] on display in Brandon.
CPR 2816 is a class H1b Hudson-type locomotive built by Montreal Locomotive Works in December 1930. Having logged more than two million miles in active service, 2816 made its final revenue run on May 26, 1960. After a complete three-year rebuild, 2816 was restored to its original specifications with external details from the 1930/40s, and re-entered active service in 2001 as a roving ambassador for Canadian Pacific Railway. [Information from Canadian Pacific Railway's website - www.cpr.ca. P.E. 28/07/09]
First engine on CPR's western lines with smoke deflectors - aka "elephant ears".
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
CPR Engine 2816 being serviced on [passenger train] No. 3
Notes
Note image of L.A. Stuckey as 15-year-old boy in foreground
Copy negative
From the collection of the [UK] National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York, England.
The building near the back of the train was the original Salvation Army Citadel. Built in 1889, it was purchased by Wm. Graham in 1910 and moved to the west side of the 300 block of 10th St. It had to be moved to build the Prince Edward Hotel and eventually became part of "Billy" Graham's dance hall.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Northern Pacific and Manitoba Railway engine No. 5, with passenger train
[According to Mr. Stuckey] it snowed continuously from Oct. 7 to 10th, giving [Brandon] the heaviest snowfall ever recorded in October - must have been about 40".
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Canadian National Railway [passenger train] No. 6, with engines 1905 and 1906, in snow at station.
Notes
In this photo CNR No. 6 Edmonton-Regina-Winnipeg is running 10 hours late as an Extra train
[Note that the train has backed into the station located on Ninth Street, adjacent to the Prince Edward Hotel. P.E. 28/07/09.]
According to Stuckey and Bain (1996), the Great Northern opened its line from the US border to Gretna and Portage La Prairie, Manitoba on March 11, 1907. It was subsequently purchased in 1909 by the Manitoba Great Northern Railway Company – a wholly owned subsidiary of the Great Northern Railway. In 1926 the 76.14 miles of track from Portage La Prairie to Gretna was abandoned, with the exception of a 25 mile section from Carman to Plum Coulee, which was sold to the Canadian Pacific Railway. (p. 16)
Stuckey, L. A., & Bain, D. M. (1996). The Great Northern and Northern Pacific railways in Canada. Calgary, Alberta: British Railway Modellers of North America.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Great Northern Railway engine 224 & passenger train, Gretna, Manitoba.
Notes
Great Northern Railway engine 224 was a class B-21 4-4-0 ["American" type], built by Rogers in 1887. It had 18 x 24 inch cylinders and 63 inch drivers.
According to Stuckey and Bain (1996), “The Brandon, Saskatchewan & Hudson’s Bay Railway was built and operated as a totally owned subsidiary of the Great Northern Railway. Construction commenced in late 1905 and by the end of 1905, less than a mile of track had been laid north of the boundary at St. John. In 1906, the remaining 68.6 miles to Brandon were laid and service commenced that year. During the Depression of the 1930s, traffic declined significantly and the entire branch was abandoned in 1936. Over much of the branch’s length, the ties and rails were laid on the prairie without ballast and today little remains of the line apart from traces where there were cuts and bridges.” (p. 18)
Stuckey, L. A., & Bain, D. M. (1996). The Great Northern and Northern Pacific railways in Canada. Calgary, Alberta: British Railway Modellers of North America.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Great Northern Railway engine 208 & passenger train, Hayfield, Manitoba.
Notes
[Great Northern Railway engine 208 was a class B-21 4-4-0 ["American" type], built by Rogers in 1887. It had 18x24" cylinders and 63" drivers.]
According to Stuckey and Bain (1996), “The Brandon, Saskatchewan & Hudson’s Bay Railway was built and operated as a totally owned subsidiary of the Great Northern Railway. Construction commenced in late 1905 and by the end of 1905, less than a mile of track had been laid north of the boundary at St. John. In 1906, the remaining 68.6 miles to Brandon were laid and service commenced that year. During the Depression of the 1930s, traffic declined significantly and the entire branch was abandoned in 1936. Over much of the branch’s length, the ties and rails were laid on the prairie without ballast and today little remains of the line apart from traces where there were cuts and bridges.” (p. 18)
Stuckey, L. A., & Bain, D. M. (1996). The Great Northern and Northern Pacific railways in Canada. Calgary, Alberta: British Railway Modellers of North America.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Great Northern Railway engine 208 & passenger train, Brandon, Manitoba.
Notes
Great Northern Railway engine 208 was a class B-21 4-4-0 ["American" type], built by Rogers in 1887. It had 18x24" cylinders and 63" drivers.
According to Stuckey and Bain (1996), “The Brandon, Saskatchewan & Hudson’s Bay Railway was built and operated as a totally owned subsidiary of the Great Northern Railway. Construction commenced in late 1905 and by the end of 1905, less than a mile of track had been laid north of the boundary at St. John. In 1906, the remaining 68.6 miles to Brandon were laid and service commenced that year. During the Depression of the 1930s, traffic declined significantly and the entire branch was abandoned in 1936. Over much of the branch’s length, the ties and rails were laid on the prairie without ballast and today little remains of the line apart from traces where there were cuts and bridges.” (p. 18)
Stuckey, L. A., & Bain, D. M. (1996). The Great Northern and Northern Pacific railways in Canada. Calgary, Alberta: British Railway Modellers of North America.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Great Northern Railway engine 208 & passenger train, Brandon, Manitoba.
Notes
[Great Northern Railway engine 208 was a class B-21 4-4-0 ["American" type], built by Rogers in 1887. It had 18x24" cylinders and 63" drivers.]
According to Stuckey and Bain (1996), “The Brandon, Saskatchewan & Hudson’s Bay Railway was built and operated as a totally owned subsidiary of the Great Northern Railway. Construction commenced in late 1905 and by the end of 1905, less than a mile of track had been laid north of the boundary at St. John. In 1906, the remaining 68.6 miles to Brandon were laid and service commenced that year. During the Depression of the 1930s, traffic declined significantly and the entire branch was abandoned in 1936. Over much of the branch’s length, the ties and rails were laid on the prairie without ballast and today little remains of the line apart from traces where there were cuts and bridges.” (p. 18)
This engine was built by Brooks in March of 1883 as No. 887 and marked as scrap [by the GN] in 1937. This engine is known to have worked passenger trains to Brandon. This class of locomotive was replaced by gas-electric [power units] in 1929 but they would be used if no gas-electric was available. Engine 185 sat dead in Minot from the closing of the Brandon line until it was scrapped.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Great Northern Engine 185, a class B-19 4-4-0 ["American"] type at Minot, ND.
Notes
Small copy neg. Quote in HistoryBio taken from Stuckey, L. A., & Bain, D. M. (1996). The Great Northern and Northern Pacific railways in Canada. Calgary, Alberta: British Railway Modellers of North America.
According to Stuckey and Bain (1996), “The Brandon, Saskatchewan & Hudson’s Bay Railway was built and operated as a totally owned subsidiary of the Great Northern Railway. Construction commenced in late 1905 and by the end of 1905, less than a mile of track had been laid north of the boundary at St. John. In 1906, the remaining 68.6 miles to Brandon were laid and service commenced that year. During the Depression of the 1930s, traffic declined significantly and the entire branch was abandoned in 1936. Over much of the branch’s length, the ties and rails were laid on the prairie without ballast and today little remains of the line apart from traces where there were cuts and bridges.” (p. 18)
Stuckey, L. A., & Bain, D. M. (1996). The Great Northern and Northern Pacific railways in Canada. Calgary, Alberta: British Railway Modellers of North America.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Great Northern [gas-electric power unit] 2327 & Train at Rugby, ND.
Notes
Built by Brill/Westinghouse in June of 1928; scrapped June 1956. This unit ran with a similar train to Brandon, Manitoba from 1929 until 1936.
Mr. Stuckey's notes: Copy: LAS. From print in Geo[rge] Harris collection.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Image of CPR 2040 4-6-0 on local passenger train, Foxwarren, Manitoba. Image was taken along the CPR Minnedosa & Bredenbury subdivision (ex. Manitoba & N.W. Railway).
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
CPR No. 3, the westbound "Dominion", with engine 2829 under 1st Street Bridge
Notes
View includes former Empire Brewery, [then] in use by Bell Bottling Co.; Safe crossing over the CPR eliminated the need for a flagman. "Telltails" warn switchmen riding on top of railcars of low overhead clearance. Old Empire Brewery was (late 1950's) a feed mill, making grain feeds for livestock.
Contract for concrete approach from north end to replace east and west timber approaches along Assiniboine Ave. awarded to A.E. Jones and E. Fulcher for $30,590. Oct. 11, 1934. (Brandon Sun). As part of this project a Z-shaped ramp on the west side to Assiniboine Ave for pedestrians replaced wooden stairs to north end.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
View of East side of original Eighth St. bridge from Pacific Avenue; Shows pedestrian stairway to North end and CPR early 2800 [locomotive] being serviced on Train No.4
Aerial photographs of the campus were generally commissioned by the College/University to record important milestones, such as centennials, changes in status, and building projects. The general campus photographs were placed in this sub-series because the composition of the images made it difficult to place them with individual buildings.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of photographs of the Brandon College and Brandon University campus.
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Canadian Pacific Railway Station looking west from overhead [Eighth Street] bridge
Notes
Date determination: Engine 93 (ex 375) received Series 2 numbering in Sept. 1907 and repainting is still clean; some trees have leaves so could be Sept. 1907 but more likely May 1908.
[For specific information regarding this photo (which was used to create a postcard) see "Brandon History in Postcards" by Jack Stothard, Manitoba History, Number 56, October 2007, page 35. P.E.]