Sharing the 100-year history of Picture Butte

Sunny South News Photo submitted. MILESTONES: The long-awaited Picture Butte Centennial Book, that was more than a year in the making, was published at the end of June. Members of the Picture Butte Centennial Publication Committee proudly show-off copies of the book they received on July 2.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

The long-awaited Picture Butte Centennial Book is finally here.
Members with the Picture Butte Centennial Publication Committee, who worked on the book project for the past several months gathering stories and photos, received copies of the finished book late last week. 

Picture Butte: Our Town, Our Story 1926-2026 was published and printed at the end of June. The 220-page book features photos, stories and illustrations of the Town’s 100-year history. 

“Everybody that was a part of putting this book together were all very excited to get it and see how beautiful it is and how well done it is,” said Jeanene Casson, a member of the Picture Butte Centennial Publication Committee. “It took us well over a year.” 

The Town of Picture Butte is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026 and to help mark the milestone, a book of memories, short stories, photos and illustrations was created to commemorate the history of the Town. 

Casson said the book contains photos, comics and illustrations, “lots of different stories” as well as highlights on sports, war veterans, the history of local businesses, farming, and includes a section on the Lethbridge North Irrigation District (LNID), immigration and the Picture Butte Sugar Beet Factory. It also includes the history of the Town administration.  

On the front page of the book is a photo taken in 1926, of the grain elevators and the butte that existed in the area back then. 

“When they came here to work on a factory, there was a butte, which is a large hill and you could stand on that hill and see all over the area,” explained Casson, sharing some of the history of the butte and how the Town got its name. “There were some grain elevators here (in 1926) and there was a rail (line) and a track that went from I think, Diamond City to Turin and this butte was in there. The name Picture Butte came from the picturesque of the butte, the picturesque (view) you could see from the butte and then there were some Indigenous artifacts on the top of the butte and all around it,” she added. “So it was called Picture Butte.” 

Members of the Picture Butte Centennial Publication Committee gathered last week to receive their copies of the book, just after Canada Day.  

“It was a great little celebration. The publication committee got together last night (July 2) and celebrated the book,” said Casson. “It was very rewarding for all the work that everybody has put into it. It’s taken a lot of hours to put this (book) together.”   

Residents and visitors wishing to purchase a copy of the book, can pick up a copy or order a copy at the Picture Butte Town Office. They will also have a table set up periodically over the next few weeks at Bert’s AG Foods, where people can order the book. It will also be available for purchase or to order a copy, during the Town’s big centennial celebration, during Jamboree Days Aug. 14-16.