Qualico Developments was part of a consortium of development companies that acquired the Evanston land (annexed in 1989) from neighbouring farmers with a long line of homesteading in their jeans.

W. H. Evans came to Canada in 1905, worked for a time with Canadian Pacific Railroad, before settling into the northwest corridor. The land had been farmed continuously – some grain, mostly cattle – until it was sold to Qualico.

“Anything to do with cattle, we’ve been involved with all our lives,” says grandson Don Evans, who continues to farm the area. “Everything basically got bigger over the years. When my brother and I started to farm, we probably only farmed 700 to 800 acres; now between the two of us, we farm and manage about 3,000 acres. Lots of that land we rent.”

For the most part, the area has been kept rural.

“If you didn’t know where it was, it could have been 100 miles away from Calgary. A fellow who lived in the next township figured out in 1912, there were 45 farmers within a six-mile square radius. Now it’s down to about 12 that actually do any farming in that area. People don’t necessarily own more property but they farm a lot more.”

Don’s grandfather, around 1960, spearheaded the book, “100 Years of Nose Creek Valley History, which narrates the story of the district’s original pioneers. W.H. Evans was a strong community leader and on the school board. Meanwhile, Don’s mother Doris was the actual historian in the family. She was involved with the Beddington Ladies Community Club who, for one of their projects, made baby layettes so unwed mothers at the Grace Hospital would have clothing and blankets for their babies.

“The Beddington School was sold to my dad and his brother,” adds Don. “We tore the building down maybe five years ago and had used it as a shop for years. We held quite a few stag parties and a few things in the hall after it quit being a school.”

Technology and progress have changed much of the area. Gone are the days of unpainted houses, coal-oil lanterns, saddle horse and buggy, and straw-fed threshing machines. What remains are the everlasting hills and a strong sense of community spirit.