In addition to these retail establishments, a farmers’ elevator was built, with financing from local farmers. Two doctors’ offices opened in 1904 and 1905. The first issue of the Camrose Mail was published July 27, 1906. The Camrose Mail was eventually sold, and the renamed Camrose Canadian was first published in the fall of 1909. In 1911 Camrose had a surveyed area of 2.5 miles by 3 miles.
By June of 1905 the railway was completed, including a bridge over Stoney Creek. A train came to town three times a week, turned around and returned to Wetaskiwin. Late in the fall of 1906 the track had been laid to Daysland. The “Blue Flea Special”, a daily passenger service between Wetaskiwin and Daysland was inaugurated, extending to Hardisty early in 1907. The line was completed to Saskatoon by 1909.
Pictured below: First team of horses deliver freight to Camrose - courtesy the Camrose and District Centennial Museum collection
With recognition as a town, a mayor and town council were elected. The first Mayor was Thomas Dahl. That first town council got right to work and appointed a Secretary-Treasurer, Medical Health Officer, Auditor, Assessor, Town Constable, Night Watchman, Bell Ringer and Pound Keeper.
In March of 1907 council contracted the building of a fire hall and three underground water tanks for fire protection purposes. They purchased a Waterous gasoline fire engine in 1907 and formed a volunteer fire brigade.
A school opened in a Presbyterian church in July 1905 and later moved to a larger Lutheran church building. The school enrollment was 90 in the fall of 1906. A four-room brick veneer dedicated school building was opened in May 1907.