Grimshaw

The location of Grimshaw was chosen in 1917 and surveyed by Alfred Driscoll in September of 1921. Credit for this is given in part, to the Central Canada Railway who built a railway line from McLennan to Peace River Crossing in 1916 and an extension westward to Berwyn the following year. When the site for the hamlet was first surveyed it became commonly known as “the stop” to the railway crews. Jim Kennedy opened a livery stable and hotel in 1921. John Cattanach, regarded as Grimshaw’s premier citizen, became postmaster and general merchant in 1923. Then other merchants came who established such businesses as a butcher shop, a service station, a general store, a poolroom and barber shop. The first grain elevator was built by Security Elevator in 1926 and was followed by competition. Other businesses were established such as a real estate company, United Farmers of Alberta, a restaurant, a drug store, a farm machinery business, and a hardware sales competition. These were the pioneer merchants, ready to make their fortunes in the 1930’s. Incorporation was carried out. In March, 1930, the hamlet was established as the Village of Grimshaw, and then later incorporated as a Town on February 1, 1953. The Town is more important than local farming activities would indicate. Grimshaw is strategically located for a distribution point for the entire North. The local resources are wheat and coarse grains, forage crops and seeds (mostly alfalfa and grass), cattle, hogs, poultry products, honey, straw, sand and gravel, fish, furs, lumber, oil, and gas.