History up in Smoke

Photo Randy Vanderveen Sexsmith, AB Firefighters from Sexsmith, the County of Grande Prairie, City of Grande Prairie and Teepee Creek battle a fire that destroyed a historic Catholic church and the old Frontier Lumber Yard in downtown Sexsmith early Wednesday evening. Ironically the fire, which occurred across the street from the Sexsmith Fire Hall, took out the two old building which were being restored two and a half days before the County of Grande Prairie's county fair, the final celebration of the summer of the 100th anniversary of the surveying of the county. Firefighters managed to prevent a nearby automotive shop and the historic Paszkowski house from incurring too much damage from the flames. Yesterday was a reminder to take photos when the opportunity arises. The Peace Country, unlike most places around the world, has a very short history — approximately 100 years. Old buildings don't last, they tend to be replaced by new ones whether it is a grain elevator or a church.

The Sexsmith Museum society, like similar society's throughout Alberta, has been working on trying to preserve some of that history, unfortunately Wednesday evening they were dealt a big blow. Two of the buildings they were refurbishing, a lumber yard building and a Catholic church were destroyed by a fire while a third building, an old house, sustained some damage.

I have driven by the buildings numerous times as Rob Ganzeveld, a good friend of mine, used to have his office less than a block from this site, but I never stopped to take photos.

Often, it is our photos that will be the archive of the past and not the actual artifact. In this case only photos before the fire will bear witness to these buildings.

I feel for the museum society as it is an irreplaceable loss. If you rebuild, it is a reconstruction it is not a part of the history.

However, there is a lesson here for myself and others. Make sure you document things with your camera. Whether it is the house you were born in, your first car, an old building on downtown main street or most important your family and friends.

Changes can happen quickly and then it can be too late.