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Powell River Digester


Published by and devoted to the interests of the employees of Powell River Company Limited and the welfare of the community.

Online Digesters 

Browse through our collection of Digesters and read any of the listed years online. Click to open searchable PDF files.

1920s

  • 1922
  • 1923
  • 1924
  • 1925
  • 1926
  • 1927
  • 1928
  • 1929

1930s

  • 1930
  • 1931
  • 1932
  • 1936
  • 1937
  • ​1938
  • 1939
*No issues published from Mar.1932 to Dec. 1936.

1940s

  • 1940
  • 1941
  • 1942
  • 1943
  • 1944
  • 1945
  • 1946
  • 1947
  • 1948
  • 1949

1950s

  • 1950
  • 1951
  • 1952
  • 1953
  • 1954
  • 1955
  • 1956
  • 1957
  • 1958
  • 1959

1960s

  • 1960
  • 1961
  • 1962
  • 1963
  • 1964
  • 1965
The Powell River district's population in 1922 was approximately 2,100, and the Powell River Company employed about 500. In September 1922 the Powell River Company's paper mill was operating 4 paper machines, producing some 5700 tons of newsprint per month. In 1921, Powell River became the first community in British Columbia with dial telephones, but only a privileged few had access. World news was available through imported newspapers brought by ferry or float plane from Vancouver, and radio's arrival was still on the horizon, so there was an opening for a local news medium for the growing populace. Thus the Digester was born. 

The first issue of the Digester was dated September 18, 1922. For the next five years it would be the only local news medium of the Powell River district. The magazine carried the news from the Powell River Company's mill, workers and surrounding area, interspersed with entertainment, gossip, humour, philosophy and historical items. It circulated twice a month until the end of 1922, when it became a monthly publication with the 1923 January issue. 

The first editor T.B. Medforth, was joined by 19 reporters forming the original staff of 20. The 1922 reporting staff included:
​A.S. Clark
M. McKenzie
Ed. Profitt
H.J. Penketh
J. Innes
T.D. Rees
W.L. Todd
​Ed. Smith
J. McIntyre
C. MCK. Cole
J.N. Ackerman
R.W. Newby
J.J. Richardson
R. Woodruff
W.A. McLeod
W. Hutchinson

G.T. Kynock
W. Howe
​A. Coverdale
The Digester operated from September 1922 until the final issue in December 1965. A hiatus from publication was taken from March 1932 until December 1936. This 58 month break from publication was taken due to the economic challenges of the Great Depression. The following gives the reasoning for the suspension in the March 1932 issue:

"In order to meet the continued severity of competition in all markets, and to operate at a reasonable capacity and give regular employment to the greatest number of our employees, it is essential that further drastic economies be effected, where this can be done without interference with the quality of our product and the proper maintenance of the Company's properties. In pursuance of this policy, we have reluctantly decided to suspend the publication of the Digester with this issue. Publication will be resumed when justified by economic conditions."
​                                                                                                                          - A.E. McMaster

Picture
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Saturday
10 am to 3 pm

Closed Statutory Holidays
Contact Us
604-485-2222
info@qathetmuseum.ca
​4790 Marine Avenue, Powell River BC

© 2023 qathet Museum & Archives
​Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of material on this website. Dates and times are subject to change. 
Territorial Acknowledgement 
The qathet Museum & Archives is located on the traditional territories of the Tla’amin Nation. The Museum is committed to collaborating with all Indigenous peoples of this province including the Tla'amin Nation. We acknowledge the harms of the past, are committed to improving relationships in the spirit of reconciliation, and we extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn on this territory. ​Emote!
  • Exhibits
    • Current Exhibits
    • Forestry Building
    • Virtual Exhibits >
      • Riveting Women
      • Symphonies of the Sunshine Coast
      • Capturing Mountains
      • Story of Cedar
      • Powell River Firsts
      • Rod LeMay Collection
  • Collections
    • Objects
    • Archives >
      • Research Requests
      • Indexes & Finding Aids
      • Archival Descriptions
      • Powell River Digester
      • Phone Books & Directories
      • Good Citizen
      • Record of Military Service
    • Local History Books
  • Programs
    • Public Programs Calendar >
      • Little Wonders
      • Remember When Club
      • Spring Speaker Series
      • Fall Speaker Series
      • Mini-Curators
      • Papermaking
      • Summer Camps
      • Museum In the Park
      • Archaeology Day
    • School Programs >
      • Exhibit Visits
      • Outreach Kits
      • Portal to the Past
      • Educator's Survey
    • Virtual Programs >
      • Virtual Portal To the Past
      • A Taste of qathet's History
      • The Crafty Corner
      • Dive Into the Archives
    • Tours
    • Memoirs
  • Learn
    • Indigenous History
    • Place Names
    • Forestry History
    • Memories of the Mill
    • Community History
    • Blast from the Past
    • The Coast Memoirs
    • Heritage Stops
    • Blog
  • Support
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Careers
  • About
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Name Change
    • Our Mandate
    • News & Reports
    • Staff & Board
    • Contact Us