Homestead, Alberta facts for kids

Homestead is a small community in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located about 48 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of the city of Grande Prairie. This area got its name because the land was opened for "homesteading," which meant people could claim land to build a home and farm.

What is Homestead?

Homestead began as a small settlement around a post office. This post office was opened on November 1, 1930. It was set up in the home of Christian and Caroline Nordhagen, who also ran a small store there.

How Homestead Got Its Name

The name "Homestead" comes from the idea of "homesteading." This was a system where people could get land from the government. They would promise to live on the land and farm it. The land around Homestead was opened for this purpose in 1929.

The Ashdown School District

Before the community was fully settled, a large forest fire swept through the area. This fire left a fine white ash covering the land. Because of this, when the local school district was created in 1930, it was named Ashdown.

A school building was soon built. It was a log school located in the northwest part of section 20, township 75, range 9, west of the 6th meridian. This school was more than just a place for learning. It became the main gathering spot for the community. People held club meetings, concerts, dances, and even church services there. This continued until 1949, when a new building, the Northern Lights Hall, was constructed.

Changes Over Time

Like many small communities, Homestead saw some changes as time went on. The Ashdown school closed its doors in 1956. The post office, which was the heart of the community, closed a few years later in 1962.

After the school closed, the empty building was used for a while as a United Church. It was eventually sold in 1959. However, the community didn't forget its history. In 2006, a group called the Ashdown Historic Society was formed. Their goal is to protect and preserve the old school site and its building. This helps keep the memory of Homestead alive for future generations.