More than 100 years ago they walked the streets of Fort Steele and lived life to the fullest. And they can still be seen out at the Heritage Town during the tourist season.

Fort Steele’s Living History — where troupes of actors take to the streets and act out the dramas of small frontier town life — has wrapped up for the summer season, but for 30 years the program has been bringing Fort Steele’s original residents to life.

Wynne Royer has been walking the streets as those now legendary residents for almost 30 years, and has been involved in all aspects of Living History.

"All those years I've done Living History, I've acted in it, written it, directed it - and that's really my passion. I love the history of it.

“I have felt very honoured to have played historical characters over the years - in particular, Miss Adelaide Bailey, who was the first school teacher in southeast Kootenay. I certainly have come to identify with her.”

Bailey came to Fort Steele in approximately 1893. Archival writings by Miss Bailey’s pupils describe her as being firm but kind — an almost archetypal schoolmarm. “She was really loved and respected by her students,” Royer said.

It seems Royer herself has become identified with Bailey. The cast of “Fisherville: The Musical,” which wrapped up on the weekend, held a presentation for the actor and the character both. One of her colleagues wrote a poem for her entitled "The Beautiful, Wonderful, Talented Miss Bailey." Fort Steele staff and Bailey’s co-workers have also planted a tree for her, right beside the Fort Steele schoolhouse where she presided over generations of young visitors.

Another character Royer has portrayed consistently over the years is Sophie Morigeau, a mule packer from the early days of Fort Steele, whose mother was Cree and whose father was Interior Salish.

"Sophie is like the extreme opposite of Miss Bailey. That's part of why it's been so much fun - to portray someone who is so different,” Royer said. “You have the upright school teacher and then the very comedic Sophie Morigeau.

"I've thrown a diamond hitch for years, I know how to pack a mule.

There are a number of other characters that have been created over the years - Granny Fraser, for example, and Mrs. Hazel Pugh. "But those characters aren't so well-connected with Fort Steele. Miss Bailey and Sophie are really connected with that history.”

The long-running Living History program has become renowned among locals and visitors alike.

"It's a fabulous program that has brought visitors back to Fort Steele for years and years,” Royer said. “History is being brought to life in the streets right in amongst the visitors. So visitors themselves are encouraged to participate and become involved. I've had many visitors over the years say to me that they've been to a lot of historical parks, but none quite like Fort Steele, because it is so involving.

"It's been going on for a least 30 years. I think it evolved shortly before I arrived - before that it was more interpretation of the trades, and that sort of thing. Then it became more scripted, with more of a storyline.

"The storyline would take place throughout the day, and you become involved in the different characters, by the end of the day there would be some kind of resolution.”

The program has also served as employment for actors, both local and from elsewhere. There has also been a junior camp for the last few years, getting younger kids involved.