1913: Emma Waters petitions for a post office
Emma Waters received settlers’ mail brought from Magrath. In 1913 she organized a post-office petition meeting and proposed Del Bonita, which she interpreted as “beautiful valley.” Dale Speirs, Journal of Alberta Postal History, no. 26, p. 16
June 1, 1914: William Newton opens the office
The post office opened in a farmhouse with William Newton as postmaster. Speirs, p. 16
1918: the Cardston mail route
The mail route changed from Magrath to Cardston. Speirs, p. 16
1924: the Fishers open a general store
Albert and Reatha Fisher returned to the district in 1924 and opened a general store on George Weatherley’s farm. Their family account describes the building being moved by horses to the present site of Del Bonita, where they built a house and later a new store. Gladys Farries, Fisher family account, Heritage of the High Country, p. 331 · See the Fisher family and store photographs
1933–1938: Catherine Jane Newton and Celdar Collet
William died on May 16, 1933. His widow Catherine Jane succeeded him, retiring April 16, 1937. An interim postmaster moved the office into a crossroads store; Celdar La Verne Collet became postmaster August 22, 1938. Speirs, p. 16
The Collet family account records Celdar and Sadie buying the Del Bonita Trading Co. from Thomas Wolsey in the fall of 1938. Celdar served as postmaster and Sadie as assistant postmaster. Heritage of the High Country, p. 301
1941: the Collet store and post office
November 1945: the Harkers manage the store and post office
The Lethbridge Herald announced a change in management at the Del Bonita Trading Store: Mr. and Mrs. G. Harker were to take over its day-to-day operation, including the post office, on November 1, 1945. C. Collet remained the proprietor and planned to devote his time to the fuel business. Lethbridge Herald, November 2, 1945, p. 11, “Del Bonita Notes”
January 1950: Hubert and Grace West
By January 7, 1950, H. L. West had purchased the business, now described as the Del Bonita Trading Company, and succeeded Celdar Collet as postmaster. The newspaper explicitly reported that the post office would remain at the same location. Collet continued operating his propane business. Lethbridge Herald, January 7, 1950, p. 5, “Manager Del Bonita Cubs Is Postmaster”
West was already the local school principal and manager of the Del Bonita Cubs baseball team. The report also credited Mrs. West with work in the Primary and Sunday school organizations. Same newspaper report
July 1953: the post office and grocery store
The Lethbridge Herald photographed the street and the post-office and grocery-store building in July 1953, during the Wests’ ownership. Galt preserves the photograph in the newspaper’s collection. Galt catalogue
1963: the Wests sell the business
Hubert’s appointment ended February 15, 1963. Grace, who operated the store and postal counter, served until May 31. The Henry family bought the business. Speirs, p. 16
1968: Iris Henry becomes postmaster
Iris Henry’s appointment began August 1, 1968; published histories list her still serving in 1981 and 1998. Speirs, p. 16
1988: the general store and postal counter
October 2012: remembering Iris Henry
Iris Maxine Henry died on October 2, 2012. Her obituary records 33 years of work at the Del Bonita General Store and Post Office. It describes her pleasure in visiting with customers and her memory for their names and faces. She also opened her home to people stranded by bad weather. Alongside her work at the counter, she served in the Ladies Auxiliary, led Girl Guides and helped with church youth activities. Iris Henry obituary, published October 5, 2012
June 2016: the store photographed
Dale Speirs photographed the post office in June 2016. Its facade displayed a General Store sign with “EST 1935.” Photograph and June 22 postal cancellation, Speirs, p. 18
Today: Del Bonita Store and postal counter
Del Bonita Store stands at the junction of Highways 62 and 501 and continues to house the community’s post office. The shop offers snacks and goods from Southern Alberta vendors. Its address is 1935 Highway 62, Del Bonita, Alberta, T0K 0S0; the store telephone is 403-758-6444. Del Bonita Store · Store and post-office listing