Brainard, Alberta facts for kids
Brainard is a small community in northern Alberta, Canada. It is part of the County of Grande Prairie No. 1. Brainard is located about 61 kilometres (38 miles) northwest of the city of Grande Prairie. This place was first settled in 1919. It was named after its very first postmaster, a man named Leo Brainard.
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Brainard: A Look at Its History
Who Was Leo Brainard?
William Leroy "Leo" Brainard was an important person in the early history of Brainard. He first came to southern Alberta in 1906. He was a rancher, which means he raised animals like cattle. However, he arrived during a very harsh winter in 1906-1907. Many ranchers in southern Alberta lost a lot of their animals because of severe blizzards. Leo Brainard also faced a very difficult time. After this, he moved back to Canada in 1918 and settled in the Hythe area, which is near where Brainard is today.
The Famous "Stopping Place"
Leo Brainard and his family ran a special place called the "Stopping Place." It was located right on the main road, on the southeast side of Sinclair Lake. This road was important because it connected Grande Prairie and Pouce Coupe.
Many travelers would stop at the "Stopping Place." They often came to enjoy the famous chicken dinners made by Ma Brainard, Leo's wife. Some very well-known people even visited, like Sir Henry Thornton and Lord and Lady Bessborough.
The "Stopping Place" also served as the local post office for many years. It operated as a post office from December 1, 1919, until August 16, 1961.
Sinclair Lake School
The community also had a school called Sinclair Lake School. It opened its doors for the first time in September 1929. The school taught children in the area for over 20 years. In 1951, the school closed. Students then started going to a larger, more central school in Goodfare, Alberta.
Brainard Lake
The lake near the community was originally called Sinclair Lake. However, because everyone in the area commonly called it Brainard Lake, its name was officially changed in 1991 to reflect this common usage.
