Peace River, A Busy Town 33

yet been determined, but development work is being continued. It is hoped
these resources will soon be made available in commercially profitable quantities.

Excellent farming land extends from the west side of the river right through
to Dunvegan, the sixth meridian being located midway. The chief centres of
settlement in this part are: West Peace River, Shaftesbury, Bear Lake, Paul’s
Corners, and Griffin Creek. North of West Peace River and Bear Lake there is
good land open for settlement as far as Whitemud river. A wagon road extends
farther north to Battle or Notikewin river. . There is excellent prairie land here,
surrounded by fairly heavy timber. Large numbers of cattle have recently
been taken into these parts. During the season of navigation the Battle prairies
can be easily reached by steamer. A wagon road leads from the steamboat
landing near the mouth of the river into the heart of the prairie, a distance of
25 or 30 miles. Supplies are available at the trading post at the landing.

The land surrounding the town of Peace River, on the same side of the
- river, is rough and broken by the junction of the Smoky and the Heart rivers
with the Peace. There is, however, much good grazing land in numerous valleys
and ravines. On the plateau above the valleys the soil is good but mostly wooded
and has some muskeg and marsh. While the choicest prairie locations have
been pretty well taken up in this section, there are thousands of acres still
available of land just as good, though requiring more work to bring under culti-
vation.

Since the completion of the railway from Edmonton to Peace River, the
northern trade has increased very rapidly. Tourists are now able to go by rail
and steamboat into the great Mackenzie and Arctic regions. Trappers, traders,
and prospectors are continually coming and going, and during the season of
navigation Peace River has become a busy shipping point. Railway surveys
have been projected northerly to Fort Vermilion and Slave lake, and when the
resources and beauties of the north become better known it is expected that this
town will play an important part in its development.

Dunvegan

Over one hundred years ago, barley, potatoes, and several varieties of garden
vegetables were grown by the employees of the Northwest Company on the
river flats adjoining their post at Dunvegan. The results are said to have been
very satisfactory. Grains, grasses, and vegetables are now grown extensively in
all sections around this early starting point, and the district is fast developing
into one of the most promising portions of the country.

Dunvegan itself is now merely a landmark of an old Hudson’s Bay post.
Its location is on the north shore of Peace river, 61 miles above the town of that
name, and 18 miles by trail from Spirit River. The valley here is narrow and
about 800 feet deep. A ferry has been installed, and is operated during the open
season at the point where the wagon road crosses. The southern banks of the
valley are thickly wooded. These woods, however, extend only a short distance
beyond the top of the bank, when they give way to the Spirit River prairie. The
northern banks are rugged and broken, and almost bare of trees. The plateau
above comprises a very extensive area of excellent land.