108 History Quiz #19

So you think you know the 108? How much do you know about the first 10 years, 1969-1979?

Aerial view of 108 Mile Ranch development, 1970.
Aerial view of 108 Mile Ranch golf clubhouse, 1970.

Answer:

Timeline 108: First Ten Years

Prepared by Sandy Foster

1969

  • Block Bros. company completes purchase of 26,000 acre 105 Mile Ranch from R.M. Monical & Sons
  • August 17, 1969:  First landing at 108 Airport; Frank Bernard flying a Cessna Skymaster with Olaf Hansen on board for the long weekend fly-in/opening
  • Major work completed to clear and develop 108 golf course
  • Dredged between 108 Lake and Sepa (Separation) Lake

1970

  • Club House built. In December Mike & Heidi Hapalo take a 5 year lease to operate the restaurant
  • Golf course opens with Keith Hannah as the pro, Bill Wilson, assistant pro
  • 400-500 lots sold
  • Hansen Bros. opens home building business and building supply outlet
  • 108 Property Owners Association formed; Len Kellogg as chairman
  • 108 Ranch and outdoor staff:  Len Monical, Don Parker, Barb Monical, Dick Smith, Ernie Mulvohill, and Bernie Penner.  108 sales department:  Cathy Jameson, Nick Sykes and Duncan Myers

1971

  • 108 Motor Lodge with 22 units opens; swimming pool and tennis courts underway
  • New building completed adjacent to airstrip, (now the Wheelroom) to include the sales office for Block Bros.; a Mini Mart opened by Dick & Myrtle Tyrwhitt, and the Gold Shop owned and operated by Mary McFarlane
  • Block Bros. buy out shares of Len Monical and Dick Smith and are now 100% owners of the project

1972

  • January 26, 1972:  low temp of -45F; 71.9 inches of snow so far that winter
  • Volunteer Fire Department & Woman’s Auxiliary initiated
  • Pat Corbett becomes on-site manager of 108 Recreational Ranch
  • Old Community Hall near Chapel built by Hansen Recreational Homes
  • Referendum passed to have CRD administer 108 Fire Department
  • Olaf Hansen’s 108 Supply complex officially opens April 1st; 600 attend
  • In 1972, about 37 new homes built and over 300 lots sold
  • 108 Property Owners Association has 336 members

1973

  • The 11,400 sq. ft. indoor riding arena built on Tatton Road
  • Two-bay Fire Hall completed 
  • Ducks Unlimited surveys Walker Valley for potential

1974

  • 108 School opens as 108 Annex with 5 portables

1975

  • Motorlodge expanded with tennis courts, landscaping
  • First Cariboo Marathon
  • Ground-breaking for new 108 Chapel construction
  • 108 school has 130 students and 5 teachers

1976

  • 108 Lake stocked with Eastern Brook Trout
  • New school opens with eight classrooms

1977

  • 5 acre Biblical Garden completed at 108
  • Mile 108 School official opening September 21 with 227 students. Brent Rutherford is the principal
  • Block Bros. announces 108 development is being curtailed due to Agriculture Land Freeze

1978

  • Eric Bojesen is 108 tennis pro, Bill Wilson is 108 golf pro
  • Population at 108 estimated at 1200 persons in over 400 homes
  • Fire hall being expanded from two-bay, to a three-bay, plus maintenance area and larger meeting area

1979

  • 105 Mile Ranch house moved to 108 Heritage Site
  • Happy 10th Anniversary celebrations
  • Block Bros. begin retreat from development
  • Change of name to 108 Ranch Resort