Prairie Nurseries Limited was established
 in 1911, as a Subsidiary of the Northwest Nursery Company,
 based in Valley City, North Dakota, USA.
The Northwest Nursery Co., Valley City, ND.
First Incorporators were:
Ernest C. Hilborn, Of Valley City,
E. A. Pray, of Valley City,
P. A. Pickett, of Leal, ND.

The First Board of Directors were:
 Ernest C. Hilborn, President; (see note 1)
William James Perkins QC, Vice-President; (see note 2)
 Theodore Andrew Torgeson, Manager (see note 3)

Controlling interest in Prairie Nursery Limited,
was bought by Mr. Torgeson, from Mr. E. C. Hilborn,
ca Dec 1912.
He then became President, and General Manager.

President of Prairie Nurseries Ltd.
Theodore Andrew Torgeson
Feb 19, 1885 - Apr 22, 1976
Born in Ada, Minnesota, USA,
 buried in Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, Estevan

 

South view of Estevan  and Souris Valley taken 1926 showing the Prairie Nursery farm  in the foreground The old Estevan Water tower and ECI are visible on the horizon Picture taken by Rose Gesell	Main Office  of the Prairie Nursery Lower floor of 1130 3rd st.  Photo ca: late 1930's Building was built in 1938.
Prairie Nurseries Limited Ad Prairie Nursery ad 1922	Mr Torgeson, Corn Show May 1926
Inside Prairie Nursery Packing warehouse Located near the railway, on 6th st. Built in 1926 120 x 80 ft building made out of reinforced concrete. Quite a structure for those days Feb 26, 1927 Old picture of the staff in front of this warehouse	My Grandfather Gus Gesell  was a manager of the Prairie Nursery farm south of Estevan, near the Mets Baseball park. His employer was Mr Torgeson the owner of the business. Aug 10, 1923 Torgeson Wedding
June 18, 1909 Theodore Torgeson is President of the Western League of Oratory	Feb 7, 1946 Like her father, Joan Torgeson enters oratory contest
July 11, 1926 Big convention came to Estevan and they inspected Prairie Nurseries Property	Feb 1, 1919 Ad for Salesman

Gus Gesell Family Pictures taken at Prairie Nurseries Farm, which was just SE of the Mets Baseball diamond, (or just East of the Estevan Golf Course.) Photos taken by my Aunt Rose Gesell,  daughter of my grandfather Gustav (Gus) A. Gesell, who is standing with a hat in one of the photos. Elsie and Theodore Torgeson Family Christmas cards, sent to the Gesell family. These are all photos of Riverdene. Riverdene was an estate, just to the SE of the Estevan Water Treatment Plant. Built in 1927. Located on the south side of the river at that point, Across the river from RiverBend Nursery This was the summer home of the Torgeson's. They lived upstairs above the Prairie Nursery Office building, at 1130 3rd St., for the Winter months. It was built in 1938. Photo of Riverdene submitted by Donna Wallace Kranyak from her Dad, Don Wallace, and Grandfather, Herb Wallace's collection. My Aunt Dolly tells me the story, every spring, a grand piano from the 2nd floor of the winter residence, had to be taken down to Riverdene for the summer, and then returned each fall. Imagine the moving guys loved that call! Riverdene entrance Aug 2009 Torgeson Park Plaque, In Honour of Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Torgeson Located on the east side of Hillside Mr. Torgeson purchased good farm land by the Souris River, from Mr. George Pawson, who came to the area, much earlier, and had an established market garden operation. His son Jack Pawson operated it for years after his father's passing. Prairie Nurseries became North American renowned for their Northwest Poplar Trees. A species once planted, would grow tall in a short time. An excellent windbreak for a large farm yard. There are many of their trees planted  in southern Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Another variety was the hardy Cotoneaster, which was used for hedges. By the way this plant is NOT pronounced Cotton-Easter no matter what the lady at Canadian tire says! It is 100% properly Pronounced Ko - to'nee - aster! Always has been, and always will be! It is actually a genus of the Rose (Rosaceae) family. Theodore A. Torgeson Donated the Torgeson Medal to ECI. In 1936 it was awarded for Highest Academic Standing in 2 math classes in Grade XII. He was a member of the Estevan School board from 1941-1944 He had 3 daughters all of whom attended ECI.