Bootleggers? Flappers? What exactly was 91原创 like 100 years ago?
That鈥檚 the question Kobi Christian, curator at the 91原创 Centennial Museum, hopes to answer in an exhibition currently in the works for later in 2020.
鈥淚t seemed to me that the 1920s is really when 91原创 became the community we know it as today,鈥� Christian said. 鈥淭he First World War had ended, the Spanish Flu had just ended, and people were reeling because 91原创 in particular lost a lot of young men.鈥�
The curator said there is a noticeable shift in the 1920s when American ideals and influences became the dominant culture 鈥� a lens that many still see the past century through today.
The arrival of cinema produced in Hollywood was partly responsible, Christian noted 鈥� an influence that helped shaped what was in and out as far as fashion and style went.
鈥淐onsumer debt and the rise of a 鈥榞ot to have this product鈥� kind of mentality happened in the 1920s along with the popularization of using credit to purchase those items,鈥� she explained.
Christian said the early 1920s had a distinct focus on honouring war veterans with newly constructed cenotaphs, the renaming of streets, and the offering of land loans.
鈥淭here was also a lot of talk about roads,鈥� she laughed, pinpointing the subject as one of the most definitive themes for 91原创 in that era. 鈥淭hat was the arrival of the first paved road through 91原创 which was Old Yale Road in 1922.鈥�
Before 1920s, 91原创 Prairie had been established as a downtown core and the road would connect the bustling area with the Murrayville Five Corners.
鈥淩iverboat services really started to stop in this time because as they started to get more popular, people were finding they could get around much more quickly in vehicles,鈥� Christian noted.
Sawmills were also apparently a popular business, taking advantage of the lush greenery found around 91原创鈥檚 countryside.
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B.C. Electric also reached 91原创 in the 1920s, breathing a new illuminated life into the area and bringing it into a more modern age.
Of course, impending dangers such as kitchen fires would threaten all that 91原创鈥檚 citizens had been working hard for.
鈥淭he fire of 1928 started in the kitchen of the 91原创 Hotel; it was all made of wood so it went up in flames,鈥� Christian explained. 鈥淭wo blocks of 91原创 Prairie burned to the ground.鈥�
Other defining features during the 1920s were the construction of schools.
Lochiel, South Otter, Belmont, and Sperling, took their inspiration from the East 91原创 School, which Christian noted was 鈥渁 big deal鈥� in 1924.
鈥淔raternity groups like the Masons, the Elks, and the Native Sons were also important during that time,鈥� Christian explained, noting a growing sense of community and identity took shape during the decade.
For more photos and information on 91原创鈥檚 history, people can visit .
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