1

In 1912, a rumour began in Western Canada, that Mackenzie and Mann had received a charter to build a railroad from Whitecourt, Alberta to Stewart on the Portland Canal. Hudson's Hope was to serve as a divisional point on this railroad. Men who had been through the country before, and realized the opportunities a railroad would bring, started packing for the long trip up the Peace River.

2

Tom Jamieson, a retired police officer remembered visiting the area on patrol, after speaking to his young friend Mackie Smith about the possibilities they headed for Edmonton to buy a team of horses, a sleigh and a grubstake.

3

Jamieson, Tom
1950
Hudson's Hope, BC

4

Smith, Mackie
1932
Hudson's Hope, BC

5

On Jamieson and Smiths way, they stopped at a trappers cabin in Dunvegan, Alberta for the night. They told the trapper "Deadly" (later Dudley) Shaw, of the railroad rumour, and of their intentions of settlement in Hudson's Hope. Dudley immediately became interested as he had visited Hudson's Hope in 1909 on the Revillon Freres boat as it took the supplies from Peace River to the company posts at Fort St. John and Hudson's Hope. He, too, thought it would be a good place to settle and joined the party.

6

Shaw, Dudley
1940
Hudson's Hope, BC

7

At Cache Creek, they were joined by Fred Monteith and Bill Carter who had spent the winter trapping there. Bill Carter also had passed through Hudson's Hope in 1906.
This was the group to arrive in Hudson's Hope with the intention of settling.

8

Carter, Bill
1915
Hudson's Hope, BC

9

Montieth, Fred
1950
Hudson's Hope, BC

10

Thus began the settlement of Hudson's Hope, the Jamieson party took up residence in a tent and began surveying and dividing out lots. More men arrived, the sounds of axes and saws could be heard everywhere.
Dr. Fredette had the first completed house. They all worked together to complete one house at a time, some building, others clearing land for farming, some milling logs.

11

Goodvin, John and grandson in front of one of the first homes built in town by Dr. Fredette.
1935
Hudson's Hope, BC

12

First two unknown, Fredette,Dr; LeSage, Curly
1915
Hudson's Hope, BC

13

In 1913 a little log two-roomed building was erected across the road from the "Bay". It was to serve as a Post Office and as a home for the postmaster, William MacIntosh, who had the onerous task of handling mail from the 'outside' once a month. After being carried in by horseback, in saddle bags, which had swam rivers, waded through snow banks, and slogged through swamps, the mail was wet, moldy and not very easily read.
With a couple of general stores, a post office and a telegraph office, the town started to take shape.

14

First two unidentified, Carter, Bill; Goldthorpe, Louie; MacIntosh, Bill; Paquette, Charlie
1920
Hudson's Hope, BC