1915: A Year of Quiet Change and Local Milestones
- May 23
- 2 min read
The year 1915 began without the need for a municipal election. R. Shingler continued as mayor, and the council consisted of D. Dewar, F.W. Busse, Gus Henderson, J.S. Tweed, A.H. Thomas, and E.G. Shilling.
A Change in Law Enforcement
At the first council meeting in January, James Baxter, who had served as town constable for several years, was relieved of his duties.
Automobiles Begin to Influence Daily Life
Automobile traffic was becoming a factor in town affairs. In March, Cliff Hamilton, manager of Hutchinson’s Hardware, received permission to install a curb gasoline pump.
A Dry Spring Followed by Abundance
Council records show little of major consequence in the early months. Residents who remember the year describe a dry, windy spring, followed by one of the most bountiful seasons the district had experienced after May.
Prohibition Arrives
Liquor prohibition took effect on June 30, 1915, ending licensed liquor sales. The final day before the deadline was hectic. Merchants and hotel bars worked to dispose of remaining stock, and more than one kerosene can intended for coal oil went home filled with something else. Rye whiskey sold that afternoon for $1.00 per gallon, and many residents laid in supplies before the ban.
The town’s two hotels continued to operate as public accommodation houses, paying an annual license fee of $2.00.
The Agricultural Society Takes Shape
This year also saw the first mention of the Gull Lake Agricultural Society and the granting of its provincial charter. The efforts of W.A. (Andy) Reid, president, and Alfred Peterson, secretary, were significant, though never formally acknowledged.
Tax Rates for 1915
All three major tax categories were set at the same rate:
Tax Type | Rate (mills) |
School | 15 |
Municipal | 15 |
Business | 15 |
A New Policeman
After the departure of James Baxter in January, the town appears to have been without a policeman for several months. In October, George McLeod was appointed to the position, becoming a familiar figure on local streets in the years that followed.
A Licensing Dispute
Late in the year, R.H. Sweeting arrived in town and objected to being assessed a peddler’s license, arguing that he should instead be taxed on a business basis.
Summary
Overall, 1915 was marked by administrative continuity, the end of licensed liquor sales with the arrival of prohibition, the installation of the town’s first curb gasoline pump, the formation of the Gull Lake Agricultural Society, and steady tax rates across all categories. The year also saw a change in law enforcement personnel and a late‑year dispute over licensing. Weather conditions shifted from a dry spring to an unusually productive season, shaping much of the year’s local experience.
Gull Lake Events
Attribution: Historical details sourced from Gull Lake Memories: A History of the Town of Gull Lake.
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