* Courtesy of Yellowhead County Website.

 

The hamlet of Peers was named in honour of Marion Peers Davidson, mother of Sir Charles Peers Davidson, who served as Chief Justice of the Quebec Superior Court in the early 1900s. While Marion herself held no notable public achievements, the Davidson family’s close ties to the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway make the naming more understandable. Sir Charles’s son, Thornton Davidson, was married to Orion Hays, daughter of Charles Melville Hays, President of the Grand Trunk Pacific.

As part of the railway’s alphabetical naming system, the Grand Trunk Pacific chose the name “Peers” to meet the ‘P’ designation, with the station opening in 1911. The first post office was established in 1912, with Frank Jones appointed as the first postmaster.

Located approximately 32 km east of Edson via Highway 16 and 8 km north on Highway 32, Peers was first settled by pioneers from the western United States in the early 20th century. Originally a thriving farming community, farm consolidation during the 1940s reduced the number of homesteads, resulting in fewer but larger agricultural operations. Today, Peers continues to uphold a strong agricultural identity.

Peers also boasts one of only four Municipally Designated Heritage Buildings in Yellowhead County: the Mathews United Church, a charming historic site located just off Willow Drive.

Gold exploration in the Peers area dates back to the early 1900s. Prospector John Gentle, who had been active in the region since 1881, staked a claim near the confluence of the Embarrass and McLeod Rivers. Although he later denied discovering gold nuggets weighing up to two ounces, the West Land Investment Company proceeded with development, conducting ground tests and employing a team to assess the area’s mining potential.

In 1922, a dredger was introduced, and up to 50 men engaged in gold panning. By 1926, the McLeod River Mining Company had been established and granted exclusive mining rights to 117 miles of the river. Though early tests showed only 17 cents worth of gold per cubic yard, optimism remained high.

A substantial investment of $225,000 was made in dredging operations at a site called Horseshoe Slough. Despite initial enthusiasm and a shipment of gold sent to the Royal Mint in 1934, ongoing mechanical problems led to the site's abandonment later that year. The dredge eventually sank but was recovered by an Edmonton-based company.

A second dredging attempt began in 1945 near the current McLeod Valley Recreation Area, but high operating costs led to the project ending within a year. A final attempt took place in 1953 when McLeod River Exploration, later bought by Tiber Mines, operated a small screening plant and amalgamator. Although this effort produced slightly better results, large-scale mining on the McLeod River ultimately ceased by 1956.

Despite this, the McLeod River remains a popular spot for recreational prospectors searching for flour gold—fine flakes still found in its sands today. It was the thrill and excitement of hunting for the next gold claim that led to the first Gold Dust Daze in 1977, which featured events like a family casino, Prospector’s Hoedown, a raft race from the Rosevear Ferry to the Peers Bridge, baseball tournaments, and gold-panning competitions. The original festival also included crowning a Gold Dust Daze Queen, later replaced by the quirky and beloved tradition of choosing Puffed Wheat John (or Jill)—a character inspired by local lore who supposedly lived in a cave along the river and introduced puffed wheat as a dietary staple in the 1930s. Gold Dust Daze continues annually and remains a cherished community tradition.

Notable Attractions in and Around Peers:

• Ina’s Gallery

• Jerry Vanderwell Memorial Park

• McLeod Valley Recreation Grounds

• Peers Gold Dust Daze

• McLeod River Boating Access