Proposed signs will help Granum celebrate the past

By Mickey Dumont Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Granum and District Historical Society wants to put the hamlet’s past on display.
“The (historical society) is always looking at new ways that we can bring the Granum area’s history to life,” said Shalaine Williams, chair of the Granum and District Historical Society.
By April a new park in Granum will be ready for its finishing touches and the society wants to showcase the hamlet’s history in the new centrepiece.
“Our society envisions the new park as a great place to showcase Granum’s main street- Railway Avenue,” Williams wrote in a letter to the Municipal District of Willow Creek council.
The historical society is seeking money from council for several signs.
“We see signage, situated throughout the park, with photos and information showing what the area looked like throughout its history,” Williams explained in a letter at council’s March 12 meeting.
“An example of one of these signs would be facing the direction of the Country Stop,” Williams wrote. “The sign would have historical photos of the building, and it would include information about previous businesses that occupied the space as well as any other historical facts.”
“The signs can also cover the many fires that devastated the community as well as the elevators and what they meant to the community. We have plenty of photos showing how industrious Railway Avenue was in the early 20th century.”
M.D. of Willow Creek chief administrative officer Derrick Krizsan said there may be a way to utilize some unused grant money.
“They are currently looking at cost, but they believe each sign will be approximately $1,000,” Krizsan said.
“What we need is some additional information regarding how many signs and where they would be located.”
The funding request is now on the Granum and District Community Board meeting agenda.
Krizsan will report to council regarding further information learned at the meeting.