Original Families

Family Name: Jackson

When we moved here:

Great, Great Grampa William came West with the CP Rail in 1883 as a diviner (well witcher). He was 17 years old when he left England. When he passed through this area, he decided he liked it so much that when the railway was completed he came back here to settle. He settled first in Priddis area in 1885. He moved the family to it's current location near Millarville in 1896. He moved because of better grass and better water. He came for better opportunities in the western world.

Where we moved from:

We moved from what was known as Border Country, England. A strip of land between the northern border of England and southern Scotland.

Why our family came to this area:

Great, Great Grampa William left his family in England when he was 17 years old to find opportunities in the Western World. Eventually two of his brothers joined him here.

Family Name: Backs Family

My Grandparents moved to Millarville in the 1930's. Hans Backs (grandfather) came from Hamburg, Germany. Merle Backs (grandmother) came from Minneapolis Minnesota.

Hans worked in the oilfield when it was booming. He then bought land and started Millarville Motors and Supply Co. Ltd. He serviced vehicles, sold gas and sold bulk fuel. He then became involved in selling Massey Ferguson tractors. As he got older he and my dad Robert, formed a partnership at the garage, he began to breed and raise thoroughbred race horses. Eve Preste (aunt) ended up taking over that part.

My dad Robert took over in 1967 when granddad Backs passed away. He started selling Arctic Cat Snowmobiles in 1969 and did extremely well at it. They raced snowmobiles all over Western Canada and won quite a few championships. He passed away in 1982 after an accident in 1980. Joyce Backs (his wife, my mother) took over after that and we are what we are today.

Bill and Ethel Lee (Joyce's mom and dad) ran a gas station and corner store at what is now the High Country Cafe. He sold gas for Husky for many years out of the store, it was like an early 7-11. They retired and Jan Wilder (Glaister) rented and turned it into a small cafe and craft store and after several proprietors it is what it is today.