File 2009.5.3 - The Bourchier Album

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

The Bourchier Album

General material designation

  • Graphic material

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Level of description

File

Reference code

2009.5.3

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Edition statement

Edition statement of responsibility

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Statement of scale (cartographic)

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Statement of scale (architectural)

Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • [ca. 1895 - 1950] (Creation)

Physical description area

Physical description

158 photographs : b&w

Publisher's series area

Title proper of publisher's series

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(9 April 1875 – 20 January 1946)

Biographical history

Born in Ontario on April 9, 1875, Alan Kirby “A.K.” Bourchier was Hugh Taylor’s cousin, related through Hugh's mother Lucy (nee Bourchier) Taylor. Mr. Bourchier and his wife Lillian were early pioneers of the Central Interior: moving to Alberta in 1902 and continuing on to South Fort George in 1906. Working for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, A.K. Bourchier operated a supply freight transport business via scow and crew on the Fraser River in support of the railway construction camps. From 1911 to 1912, the Bourchiers operated a store at Tete Jaune while it was still a thriving construction camp.

A.K. Bourchier also served as Justice of the Peace for South Fort George. In 1913, Stipendiary Magistrate T. Herne took a six month leave of absence for which he was never officially replaced. Instead Mr. Bourchier, as Justice of the Peace for South Fort George, and Mr. Perkins, Justice of the Peace for Fort George, were expected to absorb Herne’s extensive magisterial responsibilities. Given the massive workload now beholden to both men, and the keen need for law enforcement in the Central Interior, Bourchier resigned from his position as Justice of the Peace in protest of the lack of government support.

At about the same time, the South Fort George townsite was placed on the open market and Mr. Bourchier was commissioned to clear lots during these boom days. Later, with Mrs. Bourchier, he ran the South Fort George post office for a short time and from ca.1915 through to the late 1930s, Mr. Bourchier also operated as a local auctioneer and appraiser. In March 1917, it is also reported that A. K. Bourchier took over the business of the Northern Hotel at South Fort George.

After the death of Deputy Sheriff Andrew Siddal in January 1942, A.K. Bourchier became Acting Deputy Sheriff. He served in this capacity under M.C. Wiggins until the latter retired as county sheriff in August 1943. That same month, Mr. Bourchier was appointed sole Sheriff of the vast area of the Cariboo/Central Interior until the eventual appointment of another sheriff across the Rockies in Dawson Creek.

Alan Kirby Bourchier died of an undisclosed illness at the Prince George Hospital in January 1946 at the age of 71.

Name of creator

(1874-)

Biographical history

Scope and content

This photograph album consists of photographs of remote police barracks at Mile 47 and Mile 29; early settlements and/or mercantile stores at Tete Jaune Cache, McBride, Sand Creek, Fort George and South Fort George; Grand Trunk Pacific Railway forestry and railway camps; scows and paddlewheel conveyors on the Fraser River; automobiles; community leisure activities; as well as, images of the Bourchier family. The following South Fort George establishments are identifiable within these photographs: Empress Hotel, Ah Yee General Merchant, German Bakery, Northern Hotel, South Fort George Drug Store & Post Office, St. Michael’s Church, Prince George Hotel, Ford Monarch dealership, Astoria Hotel, and King George V Elementary School. Identified geographic locations featured in these photographs include: Tete Jaune, Upper Fraser, Mile 47, Mile 29, Fraser River, Mt. Robson, McBride, Sand Creek, Glacier Mountain, Moose River, Giscome Portage, Pott Falls, Red Deer River, Grand Canyon, Summit Lake, Canoe Pass, Connaught Hill, Nechako Bridge, and Island Cache.

Notes area

Arrangement

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Location of originals

    Northern BC Archives & Special Collections.

    Availability of other formats

    .Tiff & Jpg

    Restrictions on access

    Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

    Personal or academic use of photographic materials is welcomed under the standard fair use and educational use clauses of Canadian Copyright Law. Commercial use is, however, forbidden without the express permission of the copyright holder. For information on obtaining written permission from the copyright holder, please contact the Northern B.C. Archives and Special Collections.

    Finding aids

    Item level descriptions available.

    Associated materials

    File is part of the Taylor-Baxter Family Photograph Collection. See also item 2009.5.1.83 for photograph believed to depict Lillian and A.K. Bourchier.

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