Celebrating a century milestone in Picture Butte

Sunny South News Photo by Kristine Jean. CENTENNIAL KICK OFF: Hundreds gathered to kick off the Town of Picture Butte’s Centennial celebrations in a special ceremony April 15 that included a commemorative plaque unveiling and marking the 100th anniversary of the town’s post office.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Hundreds of Picture Butte and area residents, guests, members of town council and dignitaries from across the region gathered to kick off Picture Butte’s Centennial (1926-2026) with a special ceremony on April 15. 

The celebration began with a commemorative plaque unveiling in front of the town’s post office – the day which also marked its 100th anniversary, celebrating its opening April 15, 1926.   

Picture Butte Mayor Cathy Moore welcomed residents and visitors to the event and spoke about the Centennial milestone for the town and the Picture Butte Post Office. 

“It is my great honour as mayor of the Town of Picture Butte to stand before you today, as we commemorate a truly beautiful milestone in our community’s history,” said Moore. “The 100th anniversary of the establishment of our Post Office here in Picture Butte.” 

Moore noted the historic occasion provided time for reflection on the “resilience, determination, and vision” of those who came before them. She shared a bit of the history of the area’s first post office that opened in 1912 and served Picture Butte and the surrounding communities. It was located five miles east of the town, but was forced to close several years later in June 1923. 

“On April 15, 1926, exactly 100 years ago today, the post office re-opened, this time at the northeast end of Picture Butte,” she said. “This was more than just a change in location, it was a sign that this community was here to stay – it marked a new chapter of growth, stability, and activism.” 

Long-time Picture Butte resident Terry Vogt was emcee for the event, which featured guest speakers, including City of Lethbridge councillor Belinda Crowson and retired Picture Butte postal assistant Peggy Lumley. 

Ashlyn Reurink, a Grade 12 student at Picture Butte High School (PBHS) was chosen to create a mural – painted on a banner, with the Town of Picture Butte’s Centennial logo. The banner also displayed the original post office and the town’s grain elevator and was designed with the same colours as the Centennial logo. 

“I think it’s important that the whole community is coming together to celebrate this important milestone in this town,” said Grade 11 student at PBHS, Abby Fergurson, noting the importance of youth learning about the history of Picture Butte. “I think it’s important for the youth in this town to learn about the hardships that this town has overcome to make it such a great community today.” 

Sage Campmans, a Grade 9 student at St. Catherine School said she and her classmates were happy to be representing the school at the event. 

“I think it’s good to know about what happened (in Picture Butte) and how much we’ve grown,” said Campmans, noting the school’s long-standing history in the community. 

Acting Local Area Superintendent with Canada Post in Lethbridge, Kym Nichols, shared a few words at the ceremony and noted the important role a post office plays in helping residents stay connected and in communication with each other. She pointed out that the Picture Butte Post Office also continues to serve the communities of Shaughnessy and Iron Springs.  

“It was really interesting to hear the history (of the post office),” said Nichols. “Just how much research they did on the history, and how important the post office is to the community. It really formed and shaped the community (of Picture Butte).”  

Peggy Lumley, retired postal assistant, worked at the Picture Butte Post Office for 20 years between 2002 and 2022. She was invited to speak during the event and shared some memories of her time serving the people of Picture Butte.  

“People feel like they know you,” said Lumley. “They like to come visit and share their life with you, when we’re not busy … they come in, get their mail after   they’re done work and they’d stop and chat,” she added. 

Moore thanked the Centennial committee for their work and dedication over the past several months and welcomed everyone to join in the big Centennial celebration later this summer during an enhanced Jamboree Days, August 14-16. 

She noted the “thriving community of Picture Butte” is home to 2,280 people today.  

“Though much has changed over the past century, the values that built this town – hard work, perseverance and community, remain strong as ever,” said Moore. “As we celebrate the Centennial, lets take a moment to honour those early pioneers that laid the foundation for what we enjoy today and recognize the many postal workers, past and present – today is the start of our Centennial celebrations,” said Moore. “Happy 100th to our Post Office. We’ll see you back in August for our big celebration.”