Dorothy...3

At one time the community was served by three elevators: the Alberta Wheat Pool, the Alberta Pacific and the United Grain Growers. Sadly only the Alberta Pacific grain elevator survives.

Dorothy’s three elevators, shown here in 1928, the year each was built, serviced the Alberta Wheat Pool, the Alberta Pacific and the United Grain Growers.

Photo courtesy of the Dorothy Community.

Dorothy Stampede Poster. Organized in the “Dirty Thirties”, the Dorothy Stampede was held below the grain elevators, between the railway tracks and the Red Deer River. There were a total of five stampedes, the last being held in 1940. In 1937, the stampede’s finals were called off due to a dust storm or a “black blizzard.”

Photo courtesy of the Dorothy Community.

Bucking horses at the 1934 Dorothy Stampede. The event attracted ranchers and homesteaders from all parts of the Drumheller Valley, including 600 at the first show in 1933. The stampede culminated with the Cowboy’s Ball.

Photo courtesy of the Dorothy Community.

Today, there are only four permanent residents still living in Dorothy. Only one of the grain elevators — built in 1928 — still stands. However, when the trains stopped coming to Dorothy more than 20 years ago, the last elevator was put out of business, and with it, any last hope the community could survive.

© Johnnie Bachusky

Dorothy’s grain elevators were originally built in 1928 to serve the Alberta Wheat Pool, the Alberta Pacific and the United Grain Growers.

© Johnnie Bachusky

The last of three grain elevators that once served Dorothy.