A Look Back... High River Town Council
October is here, which means the leaves have fallen from the trees and election signs have appeared around High River.
The Town of High River’s 119 year history has seen some colourful characters and tight electoral races. However, the journey to that first election was an interesting one. Although the application for High River to become a town was filed in 1905, it was not properly filed due to a clerical error, leading to a later incorporation on 1906. High River officially moved from village to town status on February 22, 1906.
High River held its first municipal election in April of that year. Previously, a Township overseer had represented the village. However, the newly minted Town of High River now had the responsibility of electing its very own council. Popular citizen Dan Riley had placed his hat in the ring earlier in the year. His opponent, M.H. Parrott, had only joined the race after a plea from citizens who wanted an opposition to Riley. Unfortunately, those hoping a closer match would be disappointed. On April 2, 1906, Riley would win in a decidedly one sided election beating Parrott 177-25. This first council also included: Lem Sexsmith, A.W.H. Thompson, J.W. Sutherland, Norman Young, Percy Taylor, and Dr. G.D. Stanley.
The first meeting would be held in the Forester's Hall (now Arnold & Arnold Law Office) on April 11, 1906. According to the write-up in the April 19 edition of the High River Times, "Health and sanitation was the first question to consider and cleansing of the town was of great moment." A health committee would be created to look into this matter. Later meetings would vote through the construction of a power plant as well as a liquor license requirement for hotels (at $200 a pop). However, Riley's term would be a short lived one. After only eight months in office, he would step down, apparently due to "personal matters." The December election would yield a new winner, Percy Taylor.
Taylor was well known for his construction skills. In fact, many of the homes built under his supervision are still standing to this day. One of his most ambitious projects was the original Town Hall, which was located at the corner of Centre Street and 3rd Ave. S.E. The building was constructed in 1907 at the cost of $15,000. It not only housed the Town Hall chambers but also an opera house, dance hall, fire hall, and library. This building would be torn down in 1956 with only the original fire bell saved. The Town Offices would then move into a building at the corner of 4th Ave. S.W. and Macleod Trail. Their next move would take them to the former Post Office building on the corner of 3rd Ave. S.W. and Macleod Trail. They would remain there until moving into their current building on Macleod Trail.
High River Town Council, c. 1956. Table and chairs now in the Museum of the Highwood Collection.
Council meetings- and the councilors themselves - remained an interesting source of news. In 1910, the salary for Mayor was $50 a month and for councilors $25 per month. The 1917 election saw the introduction of the first female councilor: Margaret Buchanon. However, she would resign after only a few meetings. Her reported reason? Her male counterparts wasted too much time. The next woman to grace Town offices would be Lillian McKeague, who served one term from 1919 to 1920. Despite having only short terms, these women would open doors for future women in politics. The most well-known of these women is Lucille Dougherty.
Dougherty was first elected to council in 1971. Her husband Jack had also served on council from 1965-1967. However, Lucille was not satisfied with serving only as a councilor and would set her sights on the mayoral role. In 1974 she would run uncontested for the role of mayor. Lucille held the position mayor until 1983. During this time she would oversee the building of the new High River Library in 1981 as well as raise six children.
Since then High River has seen many different faces represent their town. Some of these other faces include Henry N. Sheppard, Norman Young, George Young, C.C. Short, Felmer Eamor, Jack Denney, Ted Way, Ross Ellis, Jack Pickersgill, Bob Snodgrass, and Belf Quon.
High River’s first female mayor, Lucille Dougherty, c. 1970.
Written by Delainey Niven
High River’s first mayor, Dan Riley, c. 1915.
High River’s first Town Hall, c. 1955.