Placed with permission.
This cache is located outside the information centre in Bow Island, a small town on Highway #3. Meet PINTO MacBEAN who reigns here all year long, although the information centre is only open during the months of June, July and August – This area is well known for its beans: pinto beans, great northern beans, navy beans.
An interesting story relates to the naming of Bow Island. Just north of the Town of Bow Island was a large slough, which in the spring of the year, was full of water, but in the summer the tall grass grew up as the water dried up, thereby becoming a grassy lake. Directly north of the hamlet of Grassy Lake (on Highway #3, west of Bow Island) is an island in the Bow River. When the name signs were being thrown off the train, the two names were mixed up. Therefore, Bow Island became Grassy Lake and Grassy Lake became Bow Island.
Some other interesting facts about Bow Island (taken from a hand-out on the Bow Island Heritage Tour available at the info centre):
School Bell: The original Bow Island Public School was built in 1918 and remained until 1978. When it was torn down, the school bell was salvaged and put on display at the library. In 2001, a cairn was built to hold the school bell and was dedicated to the parents, and students who were involved with the “Old Brick School”.
Bank of North America: Residence built for the first manager of the Bank of North America in 1909. It still sits on the corner lot as a private residence.
Province’s 100th Birthday: A marker at the Visitor Information Centre commemorates the province’s 100th birthday in 2005. It shows the former boundaries of the NWT/Assiniboia Territory (now Alberta).
A Century in Scarlet: This cairn is situated at the Visitor Information Centre to commemorate the coming of the NWMP to Alberta. The original “Red Coat” trek is just north of the town.
St. Andrew’s United Church: In 1909 St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church was built on Centre Street. In 1915, the Methodist congregation had a minister, and the Presbyterian congregation had a church. They joined forces to form the St. Andrew’s United Church. It is now a private home.
Chuck Chuen Store: Opened as a restaurant named “Queen Café: in 1909, in August of that year his son joined him and groceries were added. The name was changed to “Chuck Chuen”. In 1967, Mr. Sun Chuen was presented with a plaque honoring him for being the only businessman to have operated a business continuously for 50 years.