Auburndale is an unincorporated area in East Central Alberta, between Vermilion and Wainwright. Like many of these areas, it used to be the centre of a community. I spotted what looked like a school then the Church and cemetery. In reading more about this place, I found that a post office was in operation here from 1907-1944. The first postmaster was L.W.Crowe from Auburndale, Massachusetts.
More often than not, the community centre was once a school. The Auburndale School, as it was originally called, opened in 1908. In 1917 it changed names to become Battleview School. The Battleview School was centralized with 3 other schools in 1954. The Battleview Community Association then bought the school in 1955. I am not 100% sure if this is that school but with the original Auburndale name. I have seen that happen before so it is a plausible explanation.
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| Auburndale Community Centre |
The Auburndale Church building was completed in 1924, but there has been missionaries in the area since 1908. Upon formation of the United Church of Canada on June 10, 1925, the Auburndale United Church was dedicated that afternoon, giving it the distinction of being the first church to be dedicated under the newly formed United Church. Boooom, HISTORY!
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| Auburndale United Church |
Have a great weekend everybody! Alberta is in the middle of a 'heat wave', so I will be enjoying the sun and also enjoying my cool basement when I have had enough heat...the best of both worlds!
References: Pioneering With a Piece of Chalk; Earnest Minded Men: An Account of Local Government in the County of Vermilion River.
July 12th - Update! Thank you to everyone who has read and shared this post, it has reached more people than my usual posts, which makes my day! If anyone has old photos of the Auburndale area, I would love to see them! My email is jktanaka@gmail.com
