Lake Saskatoon, Alberta facts for kids
Lake Saskatoon was once a small community in northwest Alberta, Canada. It was located in the County of Grande Prairie No. 1. This area is about 18 kilometers (11 miles) northwest of the city of Grande Prairie. Today, Lake Saskatoon is known as a "ghost town" because it was abandoned long ago.
A Natural Gathering Place
The southwest shore of Saskatoon Lake was a great spot for people to meet. It had lots of water, green grass, and many wild berries. Tall poplar trees offered shelter from the weather. Because of these things, it became a popular gathering spot.
In 1898, a trading post was set up here. A trading post was like a store where people could trade goods. It was located in the northwest part of Lake Saskatoon.
The Rise of a Community
The community of Lake Saskatoon officially began in September 1912. The land was planned out like a town. It had five main avenues and five streets. There were 260 building lots in total. This area covered about 76 acres of land.
At its busiest, Lake Saskatoon had many businesses. These included a Bank of Commerce and a flour mill. There was also a blacksmith shop and a hardware store. People could visit a pool hall or send messages from the telegraph office. More than 100 people lived in Lake Saskatoon at that time.
The town's post office opened in 1909. It was first called Beaver Lodge Post Office. In 1912, its name was changed to Lake Saskatoon.
Why the Town Moved
By 1924, it became clear that the railway would not come to Lake Saskatoon. Railways were very important for towns to grow. They helped transport goods and people. Without a railway, the town could not easily connect with other places.
Because of this, the people of Lake Saskatoon made a big decision. They picked up their shops and offices. Then, they moved them to a new location. This new town was called Wembley. The community of Lake Saskatoon was left empty. The post office officially closed in 1927.
