Fernie & Elk Valley Culture Guide Issue 6 - Fall 2017 | Page 5

of the local landscape that he was
proud to call “...the finest scenery
there is in the whole of the
North American continent,”
many images that appeared in the early
editions of the Fernie Free Press. His
images provided a rare glimpse into
what life was like before, during, and
after the Great Fire of 1908. Despite
losing his own home and studio,
Spalding carefully documented the
aftermath of the fire.
He was a well-respected member of
the business community and was the
Tourism Commissioner for the Tourist
Association of Southern Alberta
and Southeastern British Columbia,
publishing the official Automobile Road
Guide to British Columbia, Alberta,
and Saskatchewan, covering ‘twenty-
thousand miles of roads.’ Joseph
Spalding left the Elk Valley to re-
establish himself in Vancouver in 1925,
operating several successful businesses
there. He died in Vancouver after a
long and illustrious career on February
11, 1958, aged 80.
For more fascinating history and
imagery by JF Spalding drop by
the Fernie Museum or visit
www.ferniemuseum.com
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