Benny (ghost town)

Benny began as a small railway town along the Canadian Pacific Railway just west of Cartier. The town's name originated from the name of W.W. Benny who was a divisional engineer.

The Strong Lumber Company took over milling operations in the area and soon a small town consisting of approximately a dozen homes was former. There was also a bunkhouse, cookery, store and of course the railway station,

Benny obtained its own post office in 1909. By now the population of Benny was close to 60 people.

The town continued to experience growth and by the 1920's had 150 people. A school was built and a larger store with its own diner was built. In 1923 a Catholic church was built.

The mill was taken over by the Hope Lumber Company in 1926. As the milling operations slowed down, much of Benny's population left. In 1935 a road was finally constructed which lead to the town. Zinc mining offered some work for the residents that remained but by 1944 the mining ceased.

The school closed down in the 1950's and the children bused to the nearby town of Cartier. By 1956 the school and store had also ceased operations.

Today you'll find a few seasonal residents in Benny but aside from a few homes there is little else to see.