Against the backdrop of the early 20th century, the Drake family exchanged England's rolling hills for Canada's daunting and wild landscape, arriving from England with hope tucked in their suitcases. William Drake, head of the family, arrived in the early 1900s and joined a surveying crew tasked with assessing the area before building two hydroelectric dams to provide power to Edmonton. Enduring harsh conditions and isolation, the Drake family were among some of the first settlers to stay in the region, unknowingly laying the groundwork for the ensuing community.

​

With the ongoing developments related to the proposed dam, it became essential for the workers in the region to send and receive mail. As a result, the first post office was built on Mr. Drakes's homestead, in a small two-roomed cabin that also housed a store and living quarters for his family. Establishing a post office was vital in connecting the remote area and served as the primary point of contact for new settlers and businesses. The area was officially named Powerhouse, Alberta, in honour of the dam project that was taking shape in the background.

 

Powerhouse was situated at the far end of a long, muddy trail from Entwistle, and no one lived beyond that point. Remote situations like this made the role of early Canadian postmasters diverse because they didn't just distribute mail; they also kept records of community events, offered banking services, and provided a vital link to the outside world. Back in those days, the mail only arrived once a week, at first at Tomahawk and later on at Rocky Rapids. The Drake family, typically the eldest daughter, would spend an entire day on horseback to fetch the mail, following a route past the eastern edge of town, through the coulee, heading north, passing the current airport site.

 

Shortly after the Drake family opened the first post office in Powerhouse, they were requested to rename the community because the name caused confusion in mail delivery. In the early days, it was common for settlers or postal authorities to decide on the names of towns and landmarks. So, Mrs. Drake, drawing on her English heritage, proposed Drayton Valley, inspired by a residential area in the city of Portsmouth, England, where she spent her childhood. Unbeknownst to them then, the Drake family was creating a legacy that would endure for generations. It was in their post office that the history of Drayton Valley began to unfold, forever intertwining the settlement's identity with the Drake family.

 

The construction of the dam initially promised stability for employment and income. However, in 1914, all progress came to a halt as funding dwindled due to the outbreak of war in Europe, leading to the project's cancellation. Despite this setback, the Drake's and numerous other homesteaders swiftly adjusted and persevered. Today, Drayton Valley has evolved from its original roots but still stands as a vibrant testament to the unstoppable march of history… especially with the events that unfolded in 1953.