W.A.C. Bennett
This photograph taken in 1957 is of a group of men (L to R: Doug McMyn, W.A.C. Bennett, Phil Galardi, and Albert Kurucz (driving)). William Andrew Cecil Bennet (born September 6 1900 in New Brunswick and died February 23 1979 in Kelowna, British Columbia) was the longest serving premier in B.C. history serving from 1952-1972! W.A.C. Bennett operated a chain of successful hardware stores in Kelowna as his non-political occupation. He became active in the Conservative party but left the party to join the Social Credit party in 1951, he became the leader of the party in 1952. He resigned leadership a year after his loss to the NDP, and his son Bill Bennett assumed leadership (he would go on to be premier as well). During his time as premier he led the province in unprecedented growth which included economic growth, the expansion of highways, hydro dams, railways, ferry service and post secondary institutions. W.A.C. Bennett was made an officer of the Order of Canada in 1976. Love him or hate him, W.A.C. Bennett as his tombstone says, “dedicated his life to the people of British Columbia”.
Details:
Latitude: 49.2207488745836
Longitude: -122.69000930249
Direct Link: https://www.pittmeadowsmuseum.com/locations/wac-bennett
