List of historic places in Northern Alberta facts for kids

The following are some amazing historic places in Northern Alberta that are part of the Canadian Register of Historic Places. These special spots are protected because they tell important stories about Canada's past. They can be federal (meaning the whole country protects them), provincial (protected by Alberta), or municipal (protected by the local town or city). Let's explore some of these cool places!

Historic Buildings and Homes

Northern Alberta is home to many old buildings that have seen a lot of history. These places help us understand how people lived long ago.

Churches and Missions

Churches and missions were often central to early communities.

• Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Roman Catholic Church in Fort Chipewyan is a beautiful old church that has been a spiritual home for many people in this far northern community.
• Athabasca United Church in Athabasca is another historic church. It has served its community for many years.
• Hudson's Bay Company Factor's House in Fort Vermilion was once the home of the "factor," who was the main manager for the Hudson's Bay Company in the area. This company was very important in Canada's fur trade history.
• St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Mission in Shaftesbury Settlement is a historic mission that played a role in the lives of early settlers and Indigenous peoples in the region.
• Notre Dame des Victoires / Lac La Biche Mission National Historic Site of Canada is a very important site. It was a mission that helped many people and taught them new skills. It's a great place to learn about the history of missions in Alberta.

Schools and Community Hubs

Schools and other public buildings were vital for growing towns.

• Grande Prairie High School in Grande Prairie is a historic school building. Imagine all the students who have learned and grown up within its walls over the years!
• Melsness Mercantile Building in Valhalla Centre was likely a general store, a place where people bought everything they needed. It was a busy spot in the community.

Homesteads and Farms

Homesteads are old farms where families settled and built their lives.

• Reverend Forbes Homestead in Grande Prairie was the home of Reverend Forbes. Homesteads like this show us how early settlers built their lives in new areas.
• Ronning Homestead in Grande Prairie County No. 1 is another example of an early farm. These homesteads are important because they show us how people lived off the land.
• Cochrane Farm in Grande Prairie County No. 1 also tells a story of farming life in the past.
• Monkman Homestead near Cutbank Lake is a reminder of the brave families who moved to this area to start new lives.
• McNaught Homestead south of Beaverlodge is another historic farm that shows the history of settlement in the region.

Important Industrial and Transportation Sites

These places show how people worked and traveled in the past.

Railway Stations

Railways were super important for connecting communities and moving goods.

• Canadian Northern Railway Station in Athabasca was a busy place where trains arrived and departed, bringing people and supplies.
• Northern Alberta Railway Station in Sexsmith was another key railway hub. These stations were the heart of many towns.
• Peace River N.A.R. Station in Peace River also played a big role in connecting the region by rail.

Industrial Sites

• Bitumount Site near Fort McMurray is a very special place. It was one of the first places where people tried to extract oil from the oil sands. It shows the early days of Alberta's oil industry.

Forts and Trading Posts

Forts were often built for fur trading or defense and are very important to Canadian history.

• Fort Dunvegan National Historic Site of Canada west of Dunvegan was a major fur trading post. It was a meeting place for traders and Indigenous peoples.
• Fort Chipewyan III in Fort Chipewyan is another historic fort. These forts were crucial for trade and communication in early Canada.
• Fort Vermilion National Historic Site of Canada in Fort Vermilion was an important trading post and settlement. It shows how communities grew around these early hubs.
• Fort Fork National Historic Site of Canada near Peace River was a significant fur trade post. These sites help us understand the history of trade and exploration.

Unique and Archaeological Sites

Some historic places are not buildings but important natural or archaeological sites.

• Beaver River Quarry Archaeological Site near Fort MacKay is a place where archaeologists study the past by looking at tools and other items left behind by ancient peoples.
• Quarry of the Ancestors northeast of Fort MacKay is another archaeological site. These quarries were important sources of stone for tools for thousands of years.
• Eaglenest Portage Site near Fort MacKay was a portage route, meaning a place where people carried their canoes and goods over land between waterways. These routes were vital for travel and trade.

Images for kids

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  The Reverend Forbes Homestead in Grande Prairie.

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  The Ronning Homestead.

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  A view of the Bitumount Site.

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  Grande Prairie High School.

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  The Athabasca United Church.

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  The Hudson's Bay Company Factor's House.

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  The Sexsmith Blacksmith Shop.

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  The historic Northern Alberta Railway Station in Sexsmith.

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  Fort Dunvegan National Historic Site of Canada.

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  Notre Dame des Victoires / Lac La Biche Mission National Historic Site of Canada.

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  The Peace River N.A.R. Station.

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  St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Mission.

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  An aerial view of Fort Vermilion.

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  Fort Fork National Historic Site of Canada.

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  Frog Lake National Historic Site.