Further Reading

Settlement

 

Lloydminster began, suddenly, as one of the largest (and most publicized) group settlement schemes in Canadian history.  (Sometime Rev.) Isaac Barr originated the idea of promoting an all British settlement in the heart of the Western Canadian prairies. Barr's hope for a few hundred was overwhelmed by several thousand inquiries.  He responded to these with pamphlets extolling the advantages and opportunities for British folk, including the contribution to building the British Empire. Soon joined by Rev. George Lloyd, the two, despite an increasingly tense personal relationship, succeeded in shepherding almost 3,000 settlers within the first year to "Britannia Colony" centered around Lloydminster (a combined recognition of Lloyd and his founding church, St. John's Minster (mother church). Isaac Barr had thought the central town might be called "Barrville".  more about the Isaac Barr family.

 

 Translation of Post card note sent back to Britain (above): 
"Dear Sirs / This is the cook tent. Note / the dining table & Walter stood /  at the door & that's Brock stood  up against the saw block.  I'll / send some more photos soon."
[Photo and postcard courtesy of Marjorie Brooks.]

Over the years, many more settlers arrived.  For a long time Lloydminster and District maintained its British roots
with people coming from the United Kingdom as late as the 1970's because of family ties here.
The stories of some of these are sketched on this web site, some in the links below.

Passenger List - SS Lake Manitoba     Recollection by Canon English      Lloydminster Census Data     On the Trail

Farming!     Story by George E. Lloyd (great-grandson of Rev. Lloyd)    Photos from c. 1967

Letters by Alice Rendell, one of the original settlers of Lloydminster    

A page of links to information about various individuals with a Lloydminster connection - click here

Promotional Booklet from 1928 -

Click on Window above, then select Slideshow to view this 40 page booklet of text and pictures

 or click here for covers only

A Diary of the Wood Family detailing their crossing the Atlantic on the S.S. Lake Manitoba in May of 1905.  This reminds us that so-called "Barr Colonists" came on many ships over a period of several years. click here

An account by Colonist Fred Hayes - (pdf file click here )   

 Story by Art Wells about his family's move from England to settle in the Furness district in 1929

More photos of Downtown  click here   More accounts - click here