ISBN 978-0-9731066-9-5
Publication date 2009
Paperback
Pages 250
Size (mm) 152.4 x 228.6 x 16
Price $19.95
Walter was born in 1883 in Welling, Kent, England, the second youngest of nine children. He arrived in Banff in 1902 following in the footsteps of his older brother Bill, who came to Canada in 1887, and after whom Peyto Lake is named. Another older brother, Stephen and his family, lived in the Anthracite area just east of Banff for many years.
Walter started working in the Banff area by assisting Bill with his guiding and packhorse business. For two summers, Walter ran the first tourist saddle horse business for the CPR up to Sulphur Mountain Observatory.
Walter was appointed District One Fire and Game Warden in 1914. The warden for this district operated out of Banff. Walter worked for the Warden Service for 34 continuous years before retiring in 1948. Walter and his wife Rosabelle (nee Hay) raised their family of four sons and two daughters in their home which was located at 433 Banff Avenue.
Banff Crag and Canyon article June 1948
June 4th, 1948 marked 34 continuous years in the warden service for Walter H. Peyto of Banff, which date also marked his retirement from that branch of the Parks department. This is possibly the longest record held by any member of the wardens’ service, for continuous, faithful and efficient performance of duty. Many are the interesting tales that he could no doubt tell of days on the trail, but when asked of these he just smiled and stated, “I have forgotten more than I can remember.”
Photos – left (hermit’s cabin at Johnson Lake) and right (Ethel & Bill Peyto)
