The fact that Rimbey residents take pride in their town and its history is evident in the stately Beatty House located on the north side of Main Street.
The Beatty House has a long and colourful history which has been kept alive thanks to the Beatty House Society who has dedicated time and funds to restoring and keeping the home and grounds well maintained and in their original state.
The original owners, Jack and Violet Beatty came to Rimbey from Saskatchewan in 1919, opening a hardware store. The store later became known as Beatty and Cotton hardware when Jack partnered with Wilfred Cotton.
The couple, who remained childless throughout their marriage, lived above the hardware store until their home and the store were destroyed by a raging fire in the early 1920s.
A local carpenter who was hired to construct a modern home in keeping with the stature of a successful businessman, built the Beatty House in 1925.
The carpenter, Joe Jones, preceded to do just that.
The home he constructed a one and a half storey semi-bungalow built in the Craftsman style.
Jack Beatty lived with his wife Violet in the house until he died in the 1950s and Violet lived in the house until 1984.
When she died the house was handed down to relatives who later sold it to the Town of Rimbey.
The house was left vacant for two years and it appeared that its future was in jeopardy.
However, a group of nine concerned citizens rallied together and the Beatty Historic House Society was officially created and in 1991 the house was designated as a Registered Historic Resource.
Now restored to its original solid craftsmanship and character, the house has become a special place for the entire community to enjoy.
Weddings, family celebrations, business meetings, garden parties and live theatre takes place here.
In the summer the Beatty House is home to the Rimbey tourist information centre which is open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Beatty House Society will be busy on parade day July 12, serving its usual fare of hotdogs and smokies and all the delicious fixings that go with them. Lunch is to follow the parade.