One of Drumheller’s close neighbours is marking a milestone this year, celebrating 70 years.
Kneehill County was formed on January 1, 1944. This was not the first local government in that area. The MD of Carbon was formed in 1912, as was the MD of Ghost Pine (originally the MD of Roach) with its office in Trochu. The MD of Norquay was organized in 1918 and held its office in Acme, and the MD of Stauffer was formed in 1918 and originally held is offices in Sunnyslope.
These four municipalities were dissolved in 1944 to make way for the new municipality. This wasn’t a popular move and was met with opposition, but the province persisted and for the first two months the new Municipal District of Kneehill No. 278 was managed by a government appointed administrator, with secretary treasurers from each of the former separate areas.
Before the formation, each municipality in the area had six councillors. This was replaced by one council with seven councillors to serve the entire area. The first election was held on February 22, 1944 and its first council meeting was March 7.
John Olson was elected for Division 1 and John Ohlhauser was elected for Division 2, Matthew Schmaultz was elected for Division 3 and Fred Peterson was elected for Division 5. George Walker was elected for Division 6, but only served for about a year, to be replaced by Stan Schmelke, and Clayton Campbell was elected to Division 7.
Hugh Parry of Division 4 was the first Reeve and he served until 1955.
The first order of business for the new council at its inaugural meeting was to find a location for its office. They selected the former MD of Stauffer’s offices which were located in Three Hills since 1939. They used this office until 1961, when the county moved into its new office on Main Street in Three Hills
About a year after the first council meeting, the District was renamed to the Municipal District of Kneehill No. 48, named after a group of hills about 12 miles west of Three Hills. It kept this moniker until 1998 when it officially became known as Kneehill County.
The area has seen great prosperity as well as challenges over the years. It was also served with consistent leadership. Ralph Brown served as Reeve from 1961 until 1980. Gordon King served as administrator for 23 years; from 1955 to 1978, and was followed by John Jeffery who was administrator from 1979 to 2000.
As of the 2011 census Kneehill County had a population of just over 4,900 and covers 3,380 square kilometres.
Reeve Bob Long says the county is planning to mark the 70th anniversary. Already they have completed a vehicle wrap of one of their vehicles and Long says this will be featured in parades this season.
