I am indebted to Joyce George for researching and writing a draft on Lydia and Ralph Salzgeber and the 100 year history of the Milbanke's business. It should be noted that Joyce is a fine writer in her own right. Her work to document and preserve the city of North Battlefords' fascinating built and cultural history is appreciated by the North Battleford Centennial Historical Committee and general public alike.
On the occasion of the Milbanke's Flower and Gift Shop's 100 years of service to the Battlefords, we look back to the beginnings of this remarkable enterprise. Ralph Salzgeber was born in 1887 into a large family of 14 children at Salzburg, Austria. Salzgeber was known for its salt mines. Salzgeber means "giver of salt." At the age of eight, Ralph was sent to a boarding school whose curriculum was largely horticulture. Ralph acquired a love for plant husbandry, and especially the growing of roses. And, it was here that Ralph and his roommate, Gustel Wetterauer, became lifelong friends.
Lydia Louisa Frey, was born the eldest of three children at the town of Mosbach, Baden, near Heidleburg. Like many children from prosperous middle-class families, she was sent to a boarding school. It soon became apparent that Lydia was very bright. She learned several languages. She also had a lovely singing voice and was given lessons to enhance her natural ability.
In 1910, Lydia made the voyage to the United States with her uncle Peter and, as fate would have it, Ralph was on the dock to wish his friend farewell and safe passage to Canada. Then Ralph met Lydia Frey, Gustel's cousin, and he was impressed. Lydia and her uncle stayed with an uncle on Long Island and then moved to Brandon, Man. However, Lydia was so disenchanted with the endless barren landscape that she returned to New York.
In the same year, Ralph followed his friend to Brandon. From there he took the train to Vancouver. During the trip, he met a man who sold him an acre of land in the North Battleford area. Ralph journeyed back to North Battleford only to find that his new acquisition was worthless - nothing but rocks (on the site of McMillan Bros). Undaunted, Ralph bought a small shack in Chisholm Town. It was bitterly cold. Fortunately, Harry Parsons invited him to stay with his family for the winter. Ralph boldly began to chart his future. He bought lots on 1311 James Street (108th Street) and 1322 Charles Street (107th Street). During his stay with the Parsons, and with newfound friends, Ralph built a house and a glass greenhouse on Charles Street. Within three years of arriving in Canada, in 1913, he opened his business, Western Canada Floral.
When Ralph found out that Lydia had returned to New York, he was dismayed. Not one to give up where a beautiful and cultured woman was concerned, he wrote many letters to persuade Lydia to come to North Battleford. Ralph finally won her over. They were married in St. Paul's Anglican Church in 1914. They were blessed with four children, Gertrude, George, Louise and Walter.
The Salzbegers ran their business from Charles Street until 1925. Then disaster struck. A cyclone and hailstorm destroyed their greenhouse. To continue with their business, they ordered flowers from Medicine Hat. Shortly after, Ralph purchased a property and building at 1111 Main Street (100th Street). Ralph and Lydia spent the next two years readying the building and constructing a green house. In 1926, Western Floral Company moved into its new premises. Then catastrophe struck again. A torrential rain rushed down the street flooding their basement. Three feet of water ruined their workspace and much of their inventory. With characteristic resolve, Ralph and Lydia cleaned up the mess and were soon back in business. The Salzgegers' business also survived the hard years of the Great Depression.
Ralph and Lydia were not content to simply maintain their business. They were intent on expanding. They bought two lots on Queen Street (98th Street) where they grew vegetables, flowers and trees. The generous nature of the Salzgebers was evident in their sharing produce with those in need. Sometime later, they built a house on the lots. Ralph also flooded a rink for the neighbourhood kids on the adjacent corner lot.
Lydia's and Ralph's willingness to help their fellow citizens went well beyond sharing garden produce. When German immigrants arrived in North Battleford, the Salzgebers would meet them at the train station and then assisted them in settling into a new land and a new culture. Lydia was fluent in a number of European languages so she was able to translate for immigrants settling in North Battleford and those passing through. In addition, Lydia endeared herself to many with her ready smile and hospitality. She was a charter member of the North Battleford Choral Society and the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church choir.
The Second World War was a difficult time for the Salzgebers as it would be for any parents with a son gone to war. Their oldest son, George, trained as a bomber pilot with the Royal Air Force and was assigned to the elite RAF Pathfinder Force, which was kept in complete secrecy during the war. He flew 90 missions over Germany when the survival rate for pilots was only 25 per cent. George sustained two serious injuries. After the war, George was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, War Medal, Air Crew Europe Star and the Defence Medal.
On a leave back to North Battleford, he had met and married Olive Snow, a registered nurse. After the war, George and Olive attended McGill University where George took a degree in meteorology and Olive completed a graduate degree in nursing.
Ralph and Lydia retired to Metinota Beach in 1946. Ralph continued to do what he loved best - gardening. After a long and productive life, he passed away in 1974. Lydia remained active in community life until she retired to the River Heights Lodge at the age of 90. This remarkable, industrious and caring woman died in 1988.
Ralph's and Lydia's business was passed to the family's second generation (1946 to 1970). Gertrude (Gertie), their oldest daughter, worked in the store with her parents until her marriage to Philip Milbanke. Phil served with the RAF from 1939 to 1946. He, accompanied by Gertie and daughters Louise and Georgia, was posted in several locations across Canada. When he was assigned to North Battleford, Ralph and Lydia gave them the opportunity to buy the business, which they did. Phil changed the name to Milbanke Flowers Ltd. When Phil died in 1990, Gertie didn't retire. She worked in the flower shop until she finally retired a number of years later.
The business was passed once again to the third generation (1966 to 1990). After the Salzgebers' granddaughter Bunny married Howard Libbey, Howard worked in the store for four years until Bunny finished her nursing career. They took over the store in 1970. Their son, David, is retiring this year after serving 25 years with the RCMP. David and his wife are proud of their sons, Burke, who is a computer programmer, and Bryant, who has a degree in commerce. Bunny and Howard retired to Day's Beach.
The business again passed to the fourth generation (1990 to the present). Great-grandson Glenn and his wife Cindy (Culbertson) became the owners of the Salzgeber-Milbanke enterprise in 1990 after working in the store from 1982. Bunny praised Glenn as "blessed with his great-grandfather's genius with flowers." Urban Accents was added in 1996 to offer exclusive gift and home décor items. They received a BBEX award in 1998. Their son, Landon, is studying geo-physics and works part time in the store.
As Gertie noted, "We're still making the floral industry our family business today." Indeed they are. During our centennial year we note that Ralph and Lydia Salzgeber's dream lives on. Four generations have wonderfully served our city and enriched our lives.