Introduction

Communication
    Mail
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Financial

Retail
    Grocery Stores & Butchers
    Department Stores
    Other Stores

Brick Factory

Brewery

Utilities

Railroads
    MF&M Railway
    Passengers & Freight
    Stations & Yards
    Accidents

Grocery Stores & Butchers

Much of the produce sold in Fernie markets was brought into the Elk Valley via the Canadian Pacific Railway. As part of its agreement to build the BC Southern Railway through the Crow’s Nest Pass, the CPR agreed to transport goods to the region at more favourable rates, the "Crow Rates." As a result, boxcars that would have returned empty after delivering coal to eastern Canada instead brought retail goods to communities along the BC Southern line. Reduced shipping rates on butter, cheese and eggs, as well as grain, hay and flour encouraged grocers to order more of these and other commodities from eastern Canada and the prairie provinces. Blanket rates were also offered to butchers, who brought in poultry, fish and other meats.

Many Fernie merchants also purchased their meat and produce from local farmers or ranchers. In the milder climate and less rugged terrain of the South Country, numerous farms and ranches produced vegetables and meat for sale in Fernie and other nearby towns and cities. They grew vegetables, potatoes, grains and planted fruit trees. They also raised pigs, chickens, sheep and cows. Without modern refrigeration and high-speed transportation, this close supply of fresh produce, dairy products and meats was especially important to the Elk Valley and the South Country.

Many of the settlers took up ranching or farming and made a good living off the livestock and produce that they sold.

Grocery
One of Fernie’s many grocery stores, was opened in 1904 and run by Mr. Blundell. Bulk items at his store would have sold for about $16 for a barrel of flour, 75 cents for a dozen eggs and 60 cents for a pound of butter. Kerosene was about 75 cents per gallon. Mr. Blundell’s grocery store was described in the Free Press as being stocked with only the best goods.

Butchers

Victoria Ave., with P. Burns & Co. at right, 1912, FDHS (P101)

Pat Burns & Co., a Calgary-based meat retailer which became Burns Meats of today, opened an outlet in Fernie. Burns & Co. were in most communities in the west. The store in Fernie was run by Mr. Gusty. The business was located on the corner of Cox (Fifth) Street and Victoria (Second) Avenue. Mr. Gusty made sure that the store was always kept well supplied, receiving much of its meat in carloads from the prairies and Eastern Canada. For holidays such as Christmas the store advertised "a tempting array of the finest Christmas delicacies" which included eastern poultry, turkeys and bulk oysters.

During the expansion of the CPR through the Elk Valley in 1897, there were up to 5000 men working on its construction. These men were supplied with meat from Pat Burns & Co. through distributor Malcolm McInnes. He opened distribution points in Cranbrook, Fernie and Moyie that handled 300 to 400 cattle a month.

For smaller businesses in the community, it was simpler and less expensive to purchase their meats from local ranchers. The animals would be slaughtered and fresh meat would be brought in to the butchers who would then prepare it for their customers.

Retail		Department Stores