Asessippi Dam, 1912

When the first settlers came to this district in 1880 they found a Cree Settlement at the mouth of Bear Creek where it joined the Shell River. In Cree 'Ases" means Stoney and "Sippi'' means river thus the name Asessippi. Stones and also clam shells were very plentiful then. The settlement of Crees and French stood on the site of the present Asessippi Beach, sports grounds. There were many small huts and teepees made of deer and buffalo skins. The camp remained there the whole year. These natives trapped, hunted and fished for a living. Stories are told of the Indians, lighting fires on "Old Baldy" the hill above Bear Creek, from which they spied the buffalo and deer. Fires too, were often used as signals among the Indians.

Asessippi Milling Co.
In 1883 the Asessippi Milling Co., composed of D. Gilmore, W.F. Baker, J. Richardson and Henry Gill, was formed. The natural basin for a millpond just below the mouth of Bear Creek suggested the site of the mill which was built the same year, thus locating the village.

In the 1880's and 1890's Asessippi was a thriving place giving work to a number of men. The post office and store was kept by John A. Gill and his brother, A. B. Gill. A blacksmith shop was owned by John Hall. Among those who kept the boarding house at various times may be mentioned Jack Adams, John Kines, Donald ("Old Guff") McIvor, Ford and F. Worley. The feed stable was run by Percy ("Kid") Field. Others living in the village were the Gill and Richardson families, partners in the milling company; Billie Hall, A. Gilchrist and A. Johnston, all with families. Graham Boulton, F. Worley and Oliver Fish, three English bachelors, married daughters of Henry Gill and settled in the village.

In the early 90's a cheese factory was built above the valley to the east and was operated by Bill Adams. This venture did not prove very successful owing to the scattered settlement and the great distance the milk had to be transported. About the same time John A. Gill started a brick yard on the right bank of Bear Creek, a short distance above its junction with the Shell River at Asessippi. This brick yard was operated for several years and turned out a lot of bricks, which were widely used throughout the district.

Dam and Bridge Washed Out
The dam was washed out three different times, mostly due to poor engineering and construction of the dam. The unusually high water in the spring would bring down huge chunks of ice. The first wooden bridge was built only a few yards down stream from the dam and as no one had experienced a spring run-off before, it was a shock to all to see the big waves carry away the dam and rush on to also carry away the bridge.

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