14

Lizzies' What Not Shop
31 March 1995
Bentley, Alberta

Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

15

Bean There - 2005
2005
Bentley, Alberta

Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

16

A section of the north side of Main Street -2005
2005
Bentley, Alberta

Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

17

Martin Schneider in front of his barber shop
2000's
Bentley, Alberta

Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

18

Martin Schneider inside his barber shop
1900's
Bentley, Alberta

Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

19

Bentley Rose Cafe
2009
Bentley, Alberta

Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

20

Alexander Hotel & Pool Room
1919
Bentley, Alberta

Credits:
Bentley Museum Society
Glenbow Archives - Calgary, Alberta

21

Alexander Hotel - Built by J. B. Taylor
1919
Bentley, Alberta

Credits:
Bentley Museum Society
Glenbow Archives - Calgary Alberta

22

Bentley Parade - Bank of Montreal in background -2000
May, 2000
Bentley, Alberta

Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

23

Bank of Montreal building sold to Credit Union
May, 2000
Bentley, Alberta

Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

24

Servus Credit Union
2010
Bentley, Alberta

Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

25

Town of Bentley- Strolling Down the Street - Part 1
As you top the hill from the east on Highway #12, you are entering the famous "Blindman Valley" and right before your eyes lays the beautiful town of Bentley. In the distance you can see the historic "Sunset Hills", known to many as the Medicine Hills and on the occasional day, the snow capped Rocky Mountains.
What we often call Main Street in Bentley was first known as McPherson Avenue and is a continuation of Highway 12 as it passes through our town. McPherson Avenue is now 50th Avenue. Many residents also refer to 50th Avenue as Main Street. So as a result in our writings we might refer to 50th Avenue as Main Street or McPherson Avenue.
To explain the growth and changes within our business community we will start at the east end of Main Street and head west.On the north side of the highway is the trailor court. David and Joyce Turnbull built this park and called it Mayday Trailor Park. They sold this park to the Muallalys in 1976.Heather Perry managed the park for a few years before her parents sold to Lyle Smith. Lyle Smith sold to Gary and Marilyn Hoetmer in August 2004. Gary and Marilyn call the park Lake Trail Estates and presently in 2010 are the current owners. At the first corner we come to the Bentley Town Park, and just north the Bentley Administration Office. This building also houses the Bentley Fire Department, and The Senior's Drop in Centre. Beside the Bentley Town Office sits the old Oxford School, a heritage building that is home to Bentley Elks Club .It is of interest that the site where the Town Office sits was the location of the school barn. Some students never put their horses in the barn but tied them up in the trees near by.
Our first commercial building in Bentley is where Dr. Evans started his Drug Store in 1907. In 1916 John Blish and his partner St. John O'Neill acquired the building and opened a general store (Valley General Store). Mr. O'Neil left the business and John Blish operated the store as sole proprietor. In 1947 Mr. Blish moved to B.C. and H.H. Roberts acquired the building and the store. He was followed by Carl Berg. The building was converted to other uses in the following years, sometimes sitting empty. There were a number of owners in the following years - Pat and Nora Lavery purchased the property and operated a coffee shop and a consignment store. Pat established the first ice cream parlor in Bentley. The Laverys sold the building to the Scarletts (Ralph, Rod and Ann) in 1985. The Scarletts did extensive renovations and opened up a pizza shop in combination with the ice cream business. In 1997, Scarletts sold the business and property to Amin Kamaladine. Amin continued in the ice cream and pizza business. The store was known as, "Bentley Pizza and Dairy Bar". Amin sometimes had fellow Lebanese folk who ran the business during his absence. In 2009 Dane Skinner purchased the property and vacant building. Dane eventually removed the old building and leveled the lot.
The next building to the west housed the Post Office,(4926 - 50 Ave.). It was owned by George Hopkins and his wife. Their son Harold succeeded them. When Canada Post built a new post office further down the street Agnes Palmer purchased the building and operated a very successful beauty salon for years(Palmers Beauty Salon). Upon retiring Agnes's granddaughter Jeannie Stotz (McKean) took over the business. The building was later sold to Sharon Tywoniuk (nee Raabis). Sharon leased the building for a short time then did major renovations and opened a gift and flower shop, "Wisteria". After a couple of years Chuck and Lori Johnson leased the premises, did further renovations and opened the "Cross Eyed Giraffe Cafe". The Johnsons later sold the business to Dane Skinner. Dane later purchased the property form Sharon Tywoniuk, and also the Bentley Dairy Bar building and property. Mr. Skinner demolished the Bentley Dairy Bar and used the lot in conjunction with his caf� next door. He constructed an outside street eating area complete with deck, tables and umbrellas. In July 2009 the Cross Eyed Giraffe business and property was sold to Ralph Hess and Sheila Gaudet. They operate a very successful restaurant there today.
. Hugh Gunn's confectionary Store (4928 - 50 Ave.) was next. Mr. Gunn was famous for his candy and sold it Canada wide. Mrs. Nygaard ran a coffee shop in this building in 1926. The Gunn building was later moved to the country. Brown and Witherell bought the property and built a new store. The Witherells bought Mr. Brown out and the store became "Witherell's Stores Ltd." and later The Red & White Store. The final Witherells to operate the store were Mr. and Mrs. Stan Witherall and it became known as "The Lucky Dollar". They updated the store into a modern self serve grocery store. After Stan's death the store was sold to Dale and Joanne Yost. The Yosts operated the grocery store for a few years, then closed the door and built a new bigger grocery store Select AG Foods further west down the street. The store sat empty a few years and was purchased by Shirley's Realty from Rimbey. Shirley rented it out to different businesses, a carpet store and a hardware and farm store called "Rodco", owned and operated by Rod Koetke. The building was finally sold to the present owner, Cherri Bosch in 2006. She did extensive remodeling and opened "Altered ImagesHair Saloon & Day Spa".
In 1939, Grant Sanders, a druggist bought Ogle R. Johnson's tinsmith shop and living quarters, which was the next place west (4930 - 50 Ave). Grant built the present building with living quarters at the back, naming it Bentley Drug Store. In 1963 ownership was transferred to Miss Selma E. Jepson who later married Doyle Clinton. When his wife passed away Doyle continued to operate the store. When he retired he sold the building and property to Fred and Joanne Stefanyk. After Fred passed away the store was taken over by Ken Argue who operated the drug store as an I.D.A. Drug Store. Mr. Argue sold the property to Ron and Beth Strut who operated a craft store in combination with antiques, "Lizzies' What Not Shop". They also remodeled and built two business offices near the back of the front part. The next owners were Van and Maggie McKlean. Maggie ran a coffee shop and served soup and sandwiches. In 2009, they sold the property and moved to Red Deer. The property is now a subway shop,"Bentley Subway".
Moving on we come to "The Little White School" (4932 - 50 Ave.) which was moved to this property in 1920. It was occupied by a barber, Guy Palmer, who also lived at the back. Later the Oborne family operated a second hand store. In 1936 Bob Knill ran a barbershop and poolroom. He was followed by Gordon Affleck who did the same type of business. The business was remodeled when Gordon Beranek opened a plumbing shop. Gordon later sold out to Howard Burton a plumber and gas fitter. Later Lavern and Barbara Anderson operated a Sears agency and second hand store . They closed their store and rented to Marilyn Lutwick and Myrna Beddoes who operated the Sears outlet as well as M & M Fabrics. Marilyn and Myrna moved the business across the street. Lavern later rented (1991) to Dave Henry, a well known gunsmith, who sold and repaired guns, (Henry D. Gunmakers Ltd). In 1993 Dave purchased the property. In 1995, Dave sold the property and building to Grant and Lynn Patton. At present the Patton's operate a very successful bicycle shop and second hand store called "Bentley Cycle & Trading Post". Dave Henry moved his business south on 50th Street.
Miss Bertha Adamson operated a tea room in the next building in 1937. Her mother-in-law Mrs. Lulu Thorp, operated a ladies dress shop after she retired from the butcher shop and bakery. Sometime during the 1950's Tom Pye, a barber moved his shop here and added living quarters to the back and the basement. Martin Schneider, our present barber, purchased the building and property and carries on his business. He rents the living quarters out at the back.
The next building was the J.H. Watson General Store (4938 - 50 Ave.). This was the original site of the Alexander Hotel which burned in 1916. Mr. Farries followed Mr. Watson who in turn was bought out by Mr. Brown who formed a partner with Witherells. When the Witherells moved across the street, Mr. Brown , a real estate and insurance man, with his wife and two daughters lived here for a short while. Mr Albert Wiancko bought the property and intended to use it for a movie theatre, but these plans frizzled out and Mr. Wiancko demolished the building and built several buildings in the town with the material. William and Ethel Jaffray purchased the lot and built the Balmoral Caf�. Presently this building is a Chinese restaurant, "The Bentley Rose". It is presently owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Li.
Next we come to the corner lo (4942 - 50 Ave.), now occupied by the Servus Credit union. This was previously the site of the Alexander Hotel's, livery barn and feed barn. After the fire the owners moved the livery barn across and up the avenue. Then Morrison & Johnson, Lacombe hardware merchants, built a hardware store here. It was first managed by Wilfred Henderson and later Herb Henderson. The business was closed and the store remained vacant for several years. Lon Gheseger acquired the property from the estate and operated an automotive repair shop there until he died. The Bank of Montreal purchased the property and built a new bank building in 1978. In 2000 the Credit Union purchased the property and buildings, renovated and moved in.