List of historic places in Central Alberta facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This article is about the cool historic places you can find in Central Alberta! These special spots are listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places, which means they're important to Canada's past. They can be buildings, natural sites, or even old railway stations that tell us stories about how people lived long ago. Some are protected by the federal government, others by the province, and some by local towns.

What Are Historic Places?
- Why Are They Important?
Cool Historic Buildings
- Homes with History
- Important Public Buildings
Historic Churches and Spiritual Sites
Railway History
Industrial and Commercial Sites
Military and Government Sites
Natural and Archaeological Sites
Historic Forts and Settlements
Other Unique Historic Places
Images for kids
See also

What Are Historic Places?

Historic places are like time capsules! They are buildings, sites, or areas that have special meaning because of their history, architecture, or cultural importance. Protecting them helps us remember and learn about the past. It's a way to keep our history alive for future generations.

Why Are They Important?

These places help us understand how communities grew and changed over time. They show us what life was like for people who lived here before us. For example, an old school might show how kids learned, or a historic church might show how people practiced their faith.

Cool Historic Buildings

Central Alberta has many interesting old buildings. Some of these were homes, others were businesses, and some were important public buildings.

Homes with History

The Cronquist House in Red Deer is a beautiful old home. It's located in Bower Ponds, a lovely park area.
The Clark Residence and the Allen Bungalow, also in Red Deer, are examples of early homes in the city. They show us different styles of houses from the past.
The Parsons Residence in Red Deer is another historic house.
The Roland Michener House in Lacombe was the home of a very important Canadian! Roland Michener was a former Governor General of Canada.
The Dr. Henry George Residence in Innisfail is a historic house that belonged to a doctor.
The Hiebert Residence and Sharman House are other examples of historic homes in the region.
The Beatty Heritage House in Rimbey is also a protected historic home.
The McDonald Stopping House near Waskatenau was likely a place where travelers could rest during long journeys.

Important Public Buildings

The Delburne Alberta Government Telephones Exchange Building was once a key place for phone calls in Delburne. Imagine a time before cell phones!
The Old Red Deer Court House and the Government of Canada Building in Red Deer were important centers for law and government.
The Red Deer Armoury / Fire Hall #1 served as both a military building and a fire station.
The Flat Iron Building in Lacombe is famous for its unique shape, like a clothes iron!
The Camrose Public Library is a historic building that has served as a place for learning for many years.
The Wetaskiwin Court House is another significant building that played a role in justice.
The Canadian Bank of Commerce Building in Innisfree shows us what banks looked like long ago.
The Alberta Hospital Building No. 1 near Ponoka was part of an important hospital complex.
The Community Rest Room in Ponoka was a public facility, showing how towns provided services.
The Merchants Bank of Canada Building in Sedgewick is another example of an old bank building.
The Strome Memorial Hall in Strome is a community building that has hosted many events.
The Vilna Pool Hall and Barbershop in Vilna gives us a peek into past social life.
The Campbell Block and Urquhart Block in Lacombe were important commercial buildings.
The M and J Hardware Building in Lacombe also served as a local business.
The Lacombe Blacksmith Shop shows us where important metalwork was done.
The Alberta Government Telephones Exchange Building in Mannville was another telephone exchange.
The Village Treasures building in Mannville is also recognized for its history.

Historic Churches and Spiritual Sites

Many historic places in Central Alberta are churches, reflecting the importance of faith in early communities.

The Russo Greek Orthodox Church in Smoky Lake County is a beautiful example of early religious architecture.
The St. Edmund's Anglican Church is another historic church.
The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary near Hairy Hill is a significant cultural and religious site.
The Catholic Church of St. Thomas north of Duhamel and St. Norbert's Roman Catholic Church southeast of Provost are also historic places of worship.
The Battle River Lutheran Church near Chauvin is another example.
The St. Mary'S Roumanian Orthodox Church of Boian is a unique historic church.
The Lamont United Church is a historic place of worship in Lamont.
The Nativity of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church of Kysylew north of Andrew is a beautiful historic church.
The Ukrainian Catholic Church of Spasa (Muskalik) east of Mundare is another important religious site.
The Russo-Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration (Star Edna) north of Lamont is also recognized.
The St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Michael And Bell Tower southeast of St. Michael is a notable historic church.
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church (Delph) and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, both north of Lamont, are also historic.
The Holy Trinity Anglican Church southeast of Red Deer is a historic church.
The Markerville Lutheran Church is another historic place of worship.
The St. Monica's Anglican Church in Mirror and St. Laurence Anglican Church in Monitor are also protected.
The Parkland Evangelical Lutheran Church east of Ohaton is a historic church.
The Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage site is a very important spiritual place for many people.

Railway History

Railways were super important for connecting communities and moving goods in the past. Many historic places are related to trains!

The Canadian Pacific Railroad Bridge in Red Deer is a historic bridge that was part of the railway system.
The Canadian Northern Station Building and Roundhouse Site Complex in Big Valley includes an old train station and a roundhouse, where trains were turned around.
The C. N. R. Station and Water Tower in Heinsburg were vital for trains to refuel and for passengers.
The Canadian Pacific Railway Station in Didsbury and the one in Beiseker are examples of old train stations.
The Canadian Northern Railway Station in Smoky Lake, Camrose, and Meeting Creek also tell stories of train travel.
The Canadian National Railway Station in Vegreville is another historic station.
The Former Calgary and Edmonton Railway Station in Red Deer was part of an early railway line.
The Canadian Pacific Railway Station in Paradise Valley is also a historic railway building.

Industrial and Commercial Sites

These places show us how people worked and traded in the past.

The Alberta Pacific Grain Elevator Site Complex in Meeting Creek and the Alberta Pacific Grain Elevator in Castor are examples of grain elevators, which were essential for storing and moving crops.
The Camrose Feed Mill was important for local agriculture.
The Krause Milling Company Grain Elevator and Flour Mill Site Complex in Radway was a place where grain was processed into flour.
The Alberta Wheat Pool Grain Elevator Site Complex in Andrew and the Alberta Wheat Pool Grain Elevator in Paradise Valley were also key for the grain industry.
The Diplomat Mine Site southwest of Forestburg shows us where mining took place.
The Markerville Creamery and Donalda Creamery were places where dairy products were made.
The Brazeau Collieries Minesite in Nordegg is a historic coal mining site.

Military and Government Sites

Some historic places are linked to defense and government operations.

The Senior Non Commissioned Officer's Building B-30, Hangar 1, Hangar 2, Hangar 3, Hangar 4, and Hangar 6 at 4 Wing Cold Lake are all historic buildings from a military base.
The MacKenzie School and École Voyageur in Cold Lake were likely schools for military families.
The Northern Defence Radar Station near Cold Lake was part of Canada's defense system.
The Horse Barn, Building 1 in Sundre might have been part of a military or government facility.

Natural and Archaeological Sites

Not all historic places are buildings; some are natural sites or places where ancient people lived.

The Sunnyslope Sandstone Shelter in Kneehill County is a natural rock shelter.
The Whitecourt / Woodlands Meteorite Impact Crater near Whitecourt is a unique natural feature formed by a meteorite!
The Baptiste River Metis Settlement Site and Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement are important sites related to the history of the Metis people.

Historic Forts and Settlements

Forts and old settlements tell us about early life and trade.

The Ukrainian Pioneer Home in Sandy Beach is a historic settlement.
The Superintendent's Residence and Barn near Elk Island National Park are part of the park's early history.
The Pavilion in Sandy Beach is also a historic structure.
The Fort Ethier and Fort De L'Isle northeast of Myrnam are historic fort sites.
The Fort White Earth and Fort Vermilion are other important fort locations.
The Victoria Settlement is a significant historic settlement.
The Rocky Mountain House trading post was an important place for trade.

Other Unique Historic Places

The Coronation Boundary Marker in Coronation is a special marker.
The Stephan G. Stephansson House is the home of a famous Icelandic-Canadian poet.
The Newbrook Observatory is a historic place for studying the stars.
The George Pegg Homestead And Botanic Garden near Glenevis is a unique site with a historic home and gardens.
The The Bailey Theatre is a historic theatre.
The Wainwright Hotel is a historic hotel.
The Bashaw Fire Hall is a historic fire station.
The Old St. Paul Rectory in St. Paul is a historic religious building.
The Dickson Store and Site in Dickson was an important local store.
The Red Brick School is a historic school building.