Key Number:	HS 26274
Site Name:	Reverend Forbes Homestead
Other Names:
Site Type:	0101 - Residential: Single Dwelling 1503 - Medical: Hospital or Infirmary

Location

ATS Legal Description:

			Twp	Rge	Mer
			71	6	6

Address:	10424 - 96 Street
Number:	24
Street:	96
Avenue:	104
Other:
Town:	Grande Prairie
Near Town:

Media

Type	Number	Date	View	Source

Architectural

Style:
Plan Shape:	Square
Storeys:	Storeys: 1 1/2
Foundation:	Basement/Foundation Wall Material: Wood
Superstructure:	Horizontal Log
Superstructure Cover:
Roof Structure:	Medium Gable
Roof Cover:
Exterior Codes:	Window - Opening Mechanism: Single or Double Hung
Exterior:	3 chimneys - 1 in manse, others serve hospital annex and kitchen, windows - double hung and fixed sash units - doors - manse is located in south elevation. The hospital annex and manse have gable roofs, while the kitchen has a hipped roof. Over-all dimensions: The house was built in 3 stages. The hospital annex (1911) 20' x 30' the manse (1912) 1 1/2 storey is 24' x 24' and the kitchen annex (no date) is L shaped approximately 10' x 15' x 25'. Foundations: Timber beams on grade. Wall construction (finish and color): Clap board siding at first level with cedar shingles on gable ends. Structural system, framing: The exterior walls are spruce log construction with saddle notch corners. Interior framing is of spruce partition walls. Porches: There was a porch located on the south elevation but it was removed (no date). Chimneys: There are three chimneys in the log structure. One chimney services the fire place in the manse. The others service the hospital annex and kitchen. Openings: a). Door and Doorways - The main entrance to the manse is located on the south elevation. The entrance to the hospital annex is in the west elevation as well as the entrance to the kitchen annex. b). Windows - double hung windows and fixed sash units are used in the manse and hospital annex. Roof: Shape and covering - a gable roof covers the hospital annex and the manse. The kitchen annex is covered by a shed style roof which joins to the manse and hospital annex.
Interior:	Description of Interior Stairways: The main stairs in the manse are a straight run, openstair well with simple balustrades and newel post. Open stringer stairs service the dugout and furnace room. Ladder type stairs service the attic over the hospital annex. Flooring: Original flooring is rough sawn spruce, however, many areas have been covered with hardwood, rug and linoleum. Wall Finish and Color: Painted plaster is found on interior walls and partitions. Trim: Trim around doors, windows, and other openings is of simple stock material mainly spruce. Lighting: Modern lighting has been added. Heating: The hospital annex was originally heated by a wood stove. At present part of the annex is used for a bedroom and the rest for storage. A large fireplace heated the manse, this is still used. However, it has been recovered with panelling and parging. Spruce partition walls, flooring - originally rough sawn spruce have been covered with linoleum, hard wood wall finish - painted plaster.
Environment:	Located within the city limits, the homestead is situated in a residential area, not threatened by urban expansion.
Condition:	Structure: Very Good. Repair: Good. 1 JUN 1981.
Alterations:	Building has undergone some alterations, such as window and door relocations, porch removal and updating of interior and exterior facings. Structurally sound.

Historical

Construction:	Construction Date:
Constructed started Constructed finished	1911/01/01 1912/01/01
Usage:	Usage Date:
Church/Hospital Residence	1911/01/01 1912/01/01
Owner:	Owner Date:
John E. Barschel Alexander Forbes Alexander Forbes Alice A. Newton Broadview Trading Ltd. Evelyn Lewis John E. Barschel City of Grande Prairie	1911/01/01 1915/07/30 1952/11/12 1957/07/02 1958/01/10 1966/02/03 1975/01/29

Architect:	N/A
Builder:	Ike Nelson
Craftsman:	N/A
History:	In 1894 Rev Alexander Forbes and his wife emigrated from Scotland to a mission at Fort Saskatchewan. It was in 1909 when Rev Mrs. Forbes made their first survey of Peace Country at the request of the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Alexander Forbes, clergyman and pioneer, pastor of McQueen's Presbyterian Church, established the first hospital and Presbyterian Church in Grande Prairie as the settlement of this town began. In 1911 work began on the church, the logs were hauled from Van Horne's sawmill at Wapiti. In 1912 the manse was built, naming it 'Montrose'. In 1913 a cornerstone was laid for the new Presbyterian Mission and hospital. Mrs. Agnes Forbes died in 1917. Rev Forbes received Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1918. Rev. Forbes died in 1945 at the age of 85. Both of these buildings are log constructed and remain on their original site. * * * Heritage Significance: Home of Reverend and Mrs. Alexander Forbes, who established the first hospital and Presbyterian Church in Grande Prairie as the settlement of this town began. Hospital built in 1911, two-storey manse added in 1912. Both buildings are of log construction and remain on their original site. Various minor alterations to the building since its construction; however, the basic architecture has been retained. * * * Physical History: Original and Subsequent Owners: The house and hospital annex was built on land homesteaded by Rev. Forbes and his wife. Their first home was provided for them by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Clifford at Flying Shot Lake. In the spring of 1911 claim was filed on the SW 1/4 of Section 25, Tp. 71 Rge. 6 W of the 6th Meridian. Some of the land Rev. Forbes lived on until 1925 was bequeathed to the hospital, present church site, and the first school 'Montrose School' named after the place where his wife was born in Scotland. * * * Historical Events and Persons Connected with the Structure: The Forbes were immigrants from Scotland. Reverend Forbes came to Canada in 1894 and was appointed missionary at Fort Saskatchewan. His wife Agnes (nee Sorrel) immigrated the year later and they were married by Rev. D.G. McQueen in the first Presbyterian Church in Edmonton. Rev. Forbes first church in Grande Prairie was named after Rev. McQueen. Rev. and Mrs. Forbes served the missionary in Fort Saskatchewan for 15 years. In 1909 Rev. and Mrs. Forbes made their first survey of the Peace Country at the request of the Presbyterian church. (In 1902 an attempt had been made by Rev. Robert Simpson to establish a mission at Spirit River. However, prospects were few and he was withdrawn). At this time Rev. Forbes drove a stake into the ground to mark his claim. This area was known as Bear Creek (east of town site). Rev. Forbes applied to the government for ten acres of land upon his return to Edmonton. On February 10, 1910 Rev. Forbes and his wife left Fort Saskatchewan to establish at Grande Prairie. Upon arrival at Grande Prairie a cabin was provided by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Clifford. Rev. Forbes set about establishing the parish. Mrs. Forbes nursed and provided hospital facilities for those in need. The caboose in which they travelled to Grande Prairie as well as old shacks were used to house the patients. Miss Baird aided Mrs. Forbes with her medical needs. Miss Baird was sent to Grande Prairie upon request by Mrs. Forbes. In the summer of 1911 work began on the church. Logs were hauled from Van Horne's Sawmill on the Wapiti River, the log structure with Gothic windows and a singled gable roof was dedicated to Rev. McQueen on October 8, 1911. The same year Rev. and Mrs. Forbes built a log structure on the property they homesteaded and devoted it entirely to hospital work. The caboose was used as the Forbes' living quarters. Small buildings of boards with canvas roofs and dirt floors served as kitchen and dining quarters. In 1912 a log house 24' x 24', with an upstairs, and shingled roof, was built. This was added to the original hospital built the year before. This enabled the Forbes' to carry out their work under better conditions. In 1913 the corner stone for a new hospital was laid by Rev. Forbes. Rev. Forbes became chairman of the hospital board. The hospital was dedicated to Katherine Pritte in June 1914, funds for the hospital were donated by her parents. Mrs. Forbes died in August 1917, the Katherine Pritte Hospital was torn down in 1929 and a new hospital was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Forbes. Saddened by the death of his wife, Reverend Forbes carried on with his work. In 1918 Robertson Theological College (Edmonton) conferred on Rev. Forbes the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity. In 1920 Rev. Forbes was named first moderator of the Peace River Presbytery. Rev. Forbes was remarried in August 1921 to Christine Smith, superintendent of nurses for Province of Alberta. After 15 years of service Rev. Forbes left Grande Prairie for Ontario. Rev. Forbes died in 1945 at the age of 85. * * * A Chapter in Alberta's History... PRESERVED When the Reverend Alexander Forbes and Mrs. Forbes arrived in Grande Prairie during the first decade of this century, they were greeted by little more than fields of waving grass and acres of Saskatoon bushes. Settlement of the area was just beginning, and the Forbes' accepted the challenge of this wilderness country with dedication and enthusiasm. Mr. Forbes established the first Presbyterian church and in 1911, with little regard for architectural aesthetics, they built Grande Prairie's first hospital, a low, rectangular building of logs, punctuated by small windows. Mrs. Forbes, with the assistance of a Miss Baird, assumed responsibility for the medical treatment offered townspeople and homesteaders. A year later, a two-storey manse, also of log, was added on to the hospital. This became their home and a beacon for people who had need of either spiritual or medical guidance. Over the years, the rustic homestead acquired wood siding, large windows and a shingle roof, but basically the style remained typical of the early 1900's. It stands today on the site where it was built over 65 years ago. Its acquisition by the City of Grande Prairie and subsequent designation as a classified historic site will assure its preservation as a remainder of the years when Grande Prairie was only a settlement. * * * Grande Prairie's First Provincial Historic Site By Luba Dzubak-Petryshyn The unveiling of the plaque at the Forbes Homestead, on Saturday, November 3, designated it as Grande Prairie's first provincial historic site. 'A community can only be planned well and efficiently if it remembers its roots,' was John Miedema's assessment of the situation. He was formerly city manager. Joining him in the unveiling of the plaque were Alderman Paul Pivert and Dr. John Lund, assistant deputy minister of culture responsible for historic resources. Over 40 people attended the opening. Mrs. Letitia Saunders, city clerk, said that the city was trying to get a contractor to repair the foundation of the building. Second stage of repair will involve the restoration of the hospital. At present the building is rented. The structure, located at 10424 - 96 Street, was built in 1911-1912 by the Forbes family. Reverend came to Canada in 1894 and was appointed missionary at Fort Saskatchewan. His wife, Agnes (nee Sorrel) immigrated a year later. They were married in 1896 in the First Presbyterian Church in Edmonton by Rev. D.G. McQueen. The couple remained as missionaries in Fort Saskatchewan for 15 years. At the request of the Presbyterian Church, the Forbes surveyed the Peace country in 1909. An earlier attempt by Rev. Robert Simpson in 1902 to establish a mission at Spirit River was unsuccessful and he was withdrawn. Rev. Forbes staked a claim in the area known as Bear Creek, east of the Grande Prairie townsite. The couple established themselves in a cabin provided for them by Mr. and Mrs. Clifford in 1910. Rev. Forbes set out to establish a parish, while Mrs. Forbes provided medical services and hospital facilities. The caboose in which they had travelled to Grande Prairie as well as old shacks were used to house patients. Mrs. Forbes was aided in her medical work by Miss Baird from Edmonton. Work on the church began in 1911. Logs were hauled from Van Horne's sawmill on the Wapiti River and the log structure with Gothic windows and a shingled gable roof was dedicated to Rev. McQueen on October 8, 1911. That year Rev. and Mrs. Forbes built a log structure on their homestead for medical work. It served as the first hospital in the district. In 1912 a two-storey log manse was added to the hospital. The following year the corner stone for a new hospital dedicated to Katherine Pritte, was laid by Rev. Forbes. It was opened in June 1914. When it was torn down in 1929, the new hospital was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Forbes who died in August 1917. In 1918, Rev. Forbes was conferred with a Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Robertson Theological College in Edmonton. In 1912 he was named the first moderator of the Peace River Presbytery. He remarried in August 1921. His wife, Christine Smith was superintendent of nurses for the Province of Alberta. The couple stayed in Grande Prairie until 925, when they left for Ontario, where Rev. Forbes died in 1945 at the age 85. The hospital and manse were designated a Classified (provincial) Historic Site on May(?) 12, 1976.

Internal

Designation Status:	Designation Date:
Provincial Historic Resource	1976/04/12

Register:

Links

Internet:
Alberta Register of Historic Places:	4665-0076