Item AAAB4098 - Helen and John Stevenson interview

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): John Stevenson : Lardeau Valley, 1952-1960 PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1979 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: John Stevenson gives reasons for leaving the United States. Pollards join friends from Tracey. Once decision made to leave, search for a place to settle narrows to the Kootenays. Other co-operative groups in California also looking toward Canada. Stayed temporarily at Walker's Landing on Kootenay Lake and located property at Argenta after examining a number of possibilities. Rented Shutty property and the hotel. 1952 is spent getting established. Describes Argenta as they found it. Remains of early Argenta. TRACK 2: Delta Co-op formed to pool resources and to aid in getting employment. Pollards tried raising chickens. First major project was construction of Argenta Elementary School. Income pooling. Logged on flats for "hardwood" poles. More people move to Argenta. Building of Duncan Dam has little effect on Argenta. Original families fail to locate together on flats property, and families begin to go their own way economically. Incidents while travelling between Tracey and Walker's Landing.