Benchlands, Alberta

The Benchlands is a hamlet located in Bighorn No. 8, Alberta. The Ghost River is located on the hamlet's south side, while Highway 40 borders the north side.

The Benchlands grew from the homestead of Guy Gibson, who selected the section as returning WWI veteran, much to the chargin of the lands registry and the Veteran's Affairs Department, who insisted that the land could not be farmed and was, in any event, a highly irregular choice.

In that respect it matched Mr. Gibson to a "T". He had mistakenly married prior to departing for the Great War and was unable to tolerate his bride. He chose the land to preserve his isolation and to find peace in the beauty of the mountains. He built a log cabin for himself on the banks of the Ghost River, and it is said that Guy immersed himself in the icy waters of the Ghost each day, cutting through the ice if need be.

Gibson raises funds by building log cabins for others, and selling off large lots to city folk. Never married or had children. Died in the mid 1960s. Cabins grew and flourished on the benches of the Ghost.