MARY'S GENEALOGY TREASURES
Caldwell, Alberta
In May 1898 David Henry Caldwell Senior, with his wife
Fanny left St. John, Utah for Canada. The travelled in
covered wagons with 4 married sons; David Henry, Jr.,
James Albert, Abraham Alvin, and John Edgar with their
families and unmarried son named Walter. Three married
daughters; Caroline Gillman, Fanny Garner, Alice Morgan
and their families and three younger daugters also
accompanied their parents.
They arrived in Canada in July 1898 and settled on a flat
between the Belly River and Fish Creek, laid out a town site
and called it Caldwell, North West Territories.
In December 1898 a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints was organized with D. H. Caldwell, Sr.
as presiding elder. He was sustained as bishop when the
branch became a ward in 1899. In 1900 a church was
dedicated and a post office was opened with D. H. Caldwell
as post master.
In 1906 the Mormon Church bought a 65,000 acre Cochrane
Ranch across the Belly River from Caldwell townsite, opening
it for settlement. Many bought land there. Others moved
to nearby towns and a few went back to the United States.
By 1911, all who had lived in Caldwell had moved away
leaving two dwelling houses, the church and school house on
the townsite. The church and dwelling house are in use in
1996.
We honor these pioneers for making it possible for us to live
in this land of peace and plenty.
The Alberta Company of Daughters of the Utah Pioneers
dedicate this marker in honor of the early pioneers of
Caldwell, Alberta.
Ghost Towns of Southern Alberta
Mary Tollestrup