The Flood of 1915

A new electric light plant was built in Rossdale just east of the Walterdale Bridge in 1903, with additions made in 1906 and 1908. The power plant provided power for Edmonton's citizens and industries 24 hours a day. The plant also provided power to the Edmonton Water Works, which pumped water from the river, filtered it, and supplied it to homes and businesses in Edmonton.

Prominent Edmonton businessperson John Walter owned a very profitable saw mill on the south side of the river. Around 1900 he established a second mill across the river in Ross Flats. Both operations were destroyed during the 1915 flood.

Diamond Park was built in 1907 on land leased from Donald Ross. It played host to sporting events such as baseball, soccer and rugby games, as well as the Edmonton Exhibition. The bleachers were torn down in 1936.

Edmonton Cement Products Ltd. was established in 1912, and specialized in producing building blocks. These were easy to use, inexpensive to buy, and provided good insulation at the time. After only a year in operation, the company had a capacity of 800 blocks a day.

Edmonton Cement Products, Limited 
"Tenth Anniversary Number" Edmonton Journal 1913, page 76.

James Huff established the Huff Grading Company in 1906. He used a large dredge on the river to scoop up rocks and gravel from the riverbed, which were then crushed and washed at his plant on shore. The business survived the flood and continued operating for several decades.

Huff Grading Co. 
"The Bulletin Greater Edmonton Number" Edmonton Bulletin 1911, page 106-107.

Edmonton Brewing and Malting Co. 
"The Bulletin Greater Edmonton Number" Edmonton Bulletin 1911, page 106-107.

The Twin City Ice Company was established in Edmonton in 1912. Prior to widespread refrigeration, ice was cut from the North Saskatchewan River and delivered to homes and businesses to preserve food.

The City Flour Mills were built in 1899 by the Dowling Milling Co. In 1906 the business was purchased by R. P. Ottewell, with A. B. Campbell as manager. The company milled wheat into flour, and the elevators had a capacity of 110,000 bushels. The business survived the flood, and was last listed in Henderson's Directory in 1921. In 1922 the property was listed as vacant, and by 1925 the elevators had been demolished.

Campbell & Ottewell  
"The Bulletin Greater Edmonton Number" Edmonton Bulletin 1911, page 178.

The Arctic Ice Company was established in Edmonton in 1900. Prior to widespread refrigeration, ice was cut from the North Saskatchewan River and delivered to homes and businesses to preserve food. In 1913 the Arctic Ice Company took over the Edmonton Ice Company warehouse on Ross Flats. The building was sold to the City and demolished in 1978.

Arctic Ice Company, Limited

The Alberta Motor Boat Company was established in 1911 by James Weir and James Buchanan. They manufactured a wide variety of boats that plied Canada's northern waters. After the building was destroyed by fire in 1948, the business relocated to the west end.