Did you know Pierre Bessette’s land holdings in Lumby encompassed some 1100 acres? Bessette arrived in this area around 1875 and was the first to pre-empt 320 acres adjoining the townsite of Lumby. Pierre discovered a ledge of gold and silver ore five feet in thickness on the north branch of Cherry Creek. Pierre soon built a large two story house (in today’s Industrial Park) which was the centre for religious gatherings and the delivery of mail. Pierre’s granddaughter Anna Theresa Quesnel Anderson (1925-2005) lived on the last remaining acre of the original Bessette Estate. Anna had 3 children: Daniel, Charlene (Huwer) and Wendy (Crebo).
