1

Ernest Cox came to Canada from London, England in 1908 and, in 1913, came with his friend, Fred Lindsay, to the then-called Northern Interior. Lillian Cant, whom Ernest met in England, came to Edmonton in 1913, where the two were married. They lived in the wilderness and witnessed the construction of the railroads. They had two daughters: Hazel and Elizabeth Mary (Betty).

Mrs. Lillian Cox took over the post office and boarded several schoolteachers in 1916. Mr. Cox began a store about the same time. Ernest took tie contracts from the CNR on their first homestead and grew berry tress and sold his produce to hospitals in Lucerne and later Jasper. Ernest died of a stroke in 1953 at the age of 70. Lillian was 91 when she died in 1969. Their grandson Brian Thorn lived on Mr. Cox's original homestead.

2

The Cox's Homestead and Post Office
1928
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada
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Credits:
George Hicks

3

The post office was operated from the Cox homestead by Mrs. Lillian Cox from Swift Creek in 1913. Mr. Cox began a store about the same time.

In 1928 the Coxes moved to Valemount and operated the post office out of their house on Main Street. A front porch was added at a later date.

Mrs. Cox had served as postmistress for 40 years. Ernest Cox also took tie contracts from the Canadian Northern Railway on their first homestead, grew berry tress and sold his produce to hospitals in Lucerne and later Jasper. He died of a stroke in 1953 at the age of 70 and Lillian passed away in 1969 aged 91.

The post office was operated by Rupert Murphy starting 1953.

Between 1963 and 1965, the Cox house served as the Valemount branch of the Bank of Commerce with Lyle Nisi as the first manager.

Later a dry cleaning service was operated from the place after the bank moved.

4

Katherine Blackman, Betty Cox, Mrs. Minnard and Mrs. Couture outside Swift Creek station
1924
Swift Creek (Valemount), British Columbia, Canada
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5

In 1927, CN decided to move the Swift Creek railway station and name it Valemount, the 'valley in the mountains.' The second schoolhouse was built in 1935, and housed meetings and worship gatherings of all kinds. Valemount did not receive power until 1958. Valemount homes received running water in 1964, when all the individual outhouses and wells were perceived as a potential danger. Valemount was incorporated as a municipality in 1962, with its first mayor Alistair (Sandy) McLean.

6

Betty & Hazel Cox
1928-1929
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Andy Orason

7

Hazel and Betty Cox were schoolmates of Andy Orason back during the old log schoolhouse days.

(Photo taken by Andy Orason on his first visit back to the area since leaving in 1920.)