Accession N-2014-001 - Ross Laycock collection

Mr. Laycock was born in Ponoka, Alberta on September 5, 1928. After he graduated high school he spent 10 years as an employee of Chevron Standard Limited. In 1956 he formed his own company, Pawnee Petroleum Ltd. In the early 1960s he established Calgary Exploration Services (Calex) with his wife Georgina Laycock and his business partner Ronald Schmitke. In the winter of 1962/63, under contract with Canadian National Telecommunications, Calex cleared a right-of-way for a telegraph line along the Mackenzie River from Fort Providence to Inuvik. During the winter of 1963/64, Calex again used the right-of-way constructed the previous year to push through the first winter road from Fort Providence to Inuvik. This road was operated as a toll road by Calex. Calex continued to operate winter roads until Mr. Laycock's death in December 1969.