Gull Lake History Series: Six Stories From Our Past
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
On April 15, during National Canadian Film Day, the Gull Lake Tourism/Economic Development Committee premiered a new six‑part history series at the SWT Lyceum Theatre. Each video shares a different piece of our community’s past through the voices of local storytellers. The full series is now available online, offering a grounded look at the people, places, and work that shaped Gull Lake and the surrounding region.
Music Machines of the Early 1900s
Featuring: Norman White
Norman demonstrates several 100‑year‑old mechanical music machines still in working order. From hand‑cranked players to early automated instruments, the video shows how music once filled prairie homes long before electricity and modern audio systems.
Lessons from the One‑Room Schoolhouse
Featuring: Norman White
Inside the preserved Stone Pile School, Norman shares memories of rural education — one teacher managing Grades 1 through 8, younger students learning by listening to older lessons, and the daily routine of riding horses to school after finishing morning chores. Christmas concerts, bedsheet curtains, and community potlucks rounded out the school year.
A Window to the World: The History of the Gull Lake Museum Building
Featuring: Norman White & Bernard Kirwan
The museum building began as a farmhouse built in 1923 by George Johns, a progressive farmer known for his Percheron horses and 120‑foot barn. After the Earview Colony purchased the land, the house was donated and moved to town to become the museum.
Bernard describes the neighbourhood known as “Station Hill,” once the centre of early activity — where Highway 1 and Highway 37 met, fruit crates arrived by rail, wartime machinery rolled through on flatcars, and Elevator Row bustled with grain elevators, coal sheds, and the old Dominion Power Plant.
Behind the Screen: The Art and Danger of Movie Projection
Featuring: Les Potter
Les explains what projection work looked like before digital technology—two projectors running side‑by‑side, cue marks for reel changes, carbon arc lights, and film moving at 90 feet per minute. Early film was highly flammable, so projection booths were lined with steel. Movies arrived by train, and projectionists had only minutes after each show to rewind and ship the reels back out.
The Lifeline of Gull Lake: Remembering George “Slim” Willman
Featuring: Norman White
A tribute to Slim Willman, who delivered water to Gull Lake for decades using a team of horses and a tank wagon. Norman recalls Slim’s long days, steady work ethic, and quiet generosity — including delivering water to families who couldn’t always pay because “there’s little kids in that house; they need the water.” His era ended around 1960 with the installation of the modern water system.
The Lyceum Theatre: A Century of Resilience and Community Spirit
Featuring: Cole Girodat
Cole traces the theatre’s history from its 1911 beginnings to its role today as a volunteer‑run non‑profit. The Lyceum has burned down twice, been rebuilt through community effort, and adapted through major industry changes — from film reels to digital servers. The video highlights the contributions of Walter LeBarge, Belinda York, Wendy Klene, and many volunteers who kept the theatre thriving.
A Community Record, Preserved
Together, these six videos form a thoughtful look at Gull Lake’s heritage—from early education and rail‑town life to the people who kept the water flowing, the music playing, and the theatre lights on. The Tourism Committee’s work ensures these stories are preserved and accessible for years to come.
Gull Lake Events
Sponsorship Note: This editorial is brought to you by Gull Lake Events. This platform is made possible through the support of my local business, Campbell’s Accommodations. We believe in the importance of local news and are proud to help keep Gull Lake informed and connected.
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