With the dedication of the 100 Mile House Mural Society and the community this mural was unveiled July 14, 2018. 100 Mile House Mural Society is a small group of volunteers dedicated to preserving the heritage of 100 Mile House and the South Cariboo area through large-scale murals throughout 100 Mile House. This mural was a part of their efforts. The concept and creation of the mural was by artist Duane Davis.
A Tribute to Ross Gordon Marks
1927 - 2009
In the spring of 1948, Ross made the long journey, mostly by train, from his home town of Toronto to 100 mile house. He was 21 and had recently finished his 2nd year of agriculture college in Guelph, Ontario. He had come West for a summer job on the 15,000 acre Bridge Creek Estate cattle ranch, owned by Lord Martin Cecil. At the time, 100 Mile House was a very small settlement, of perhaps 20 residents, nestled at the edge of a hayfield. Yet, despite the very rustic, frontier-like surroundings, Ross never returned to his life in the east.
By the following year, a booming timber industry was bringing many more residents to the region. 100 Mile House was smaller than Forest Grove, Lone Butte and Lac La Hache when Ross became the manager of Bridge Creek Estate's land development division. The company built roadways, water works, sewer systems, etc., and often gifted land in support of community oriented facilities like schools and parks. This made Ross the go-to person for many of the projects undertaken during those formative years. 100 Mile quickly grew to be the largest community in the area with Ross, who was in the '4; thick of it all, being referred to, by some, as "Mr. 100 Mile!"
Whether it was farming oat fields, climbing power poles to wire-up new homes, being the projectionist at the local makeshift theatre, caring for the generators that powered the community, setting up the local fire department, working with ambulance society members, piloting the company aircraft, or checking on pumps at the Creek-Side water utility, Ross was a man of many talents! 100 Mile House had stolen his heart, and he became the heart of 100 Mile. In 1954, Ross married the auburn-haired Marcia Harvey, a teacher at the local two-room schoolhouse and together they raised four children.
In 1965 an interim village commission was elected to pursue incorporation for 100 Mile House. The commissioners are featured in this mural. From the left: Chuck Shaw-Maclaren, Russ Fraser, Cas Kopec, David Ainsworth and chairman, Ross Marks, seated. Incorporation was achieved and municipal elections were held in 1966. Ross was elected mayor and continued to serve in that capacity for over 20 years.
Over time, ross undertook a variety of roles stretching from local to federal levels. To list many: magistrate, coroner, fire chief, flying club president, minister, chamber of commerce president, rotary club president, a director of the south Cariboo health foundation, chairman of the Cariboo regional district, a director of the municipal finance authority of BC, president of the union of BC municipalities, a director of Canada mortgage & housing corporation, a director of BC assessment authority and the commissioner for BC and Yukon on the federal task force on Canadian unity.
Throughout his life ross remained a gentleman and was willing to take on any task whether grand or mundane. His life of integrity and service touched this town and its many residents. Ross, always quick to smile, to chat, to learn, was by his very nature, a man you loved to see. Through his broad-ranging activities he met many dignitaries and government officials, all the while raising the profile of 100 mile house. He was ever the diplomat, knitting together differing interests and views to the benefit of all.
To the generous friends of Ross Marks, who contributed to the production of this mural, and to the artist, Dwayne Davis, we extend a hearty thank you! - from the family of Ross Marks and the 100 mile house mural society.
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