Magnolia, Alberta facts for kids
Magnolia is a small farming and ranching community. It is found in Parkland County in the Canadian province of Alberta. This community is located on the west end of Isle Lake. It is also east of the Pembina River in west-central Alberta.
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Discovering Magnolia's Past
Magnolia has a rich history. Two old fur trade routes, the Foley Trail and the Yellowhead Trail, once passed through this area.
Early Settlers and Growth
In the 1860s, Pierre and Marie Grey started a stopping house and trading post. This was on the northwest side of Isle Lake. Later, in 1905, Swedish homesteaders arrived to settle the land. The first post office opened in 1908. The Magnolia School welcomed students from 1911 until 1948. Today, the Magnolia Community Hall is the only public building left from the old Magnolia townsite. On May 29, 1982, a small tornado passed through Magnolia.
The Story of Magnolia's Railways
Railways played a big part in Magnolia's history. In 1908, the Canadian Northern Railway built tracks near the Yellowhead Trail. A railway station was built in Magnolia. The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway also built tracks. Their path went through Stony Plain and Wabamun. It then curved around the south side of Isle Lake. This railway crossed the Magnolia Bridge, which is two miles south of the townsite.
West of Magnolia, the two railways ran side-by-side. The Canadian Northern Railway tracks were eventually removed. The Magnolia Bridge was changed from wood to strong steel. Today, the Canadian National Railways uses this bridge.
Exploring Magnolia's Landscape
The area around Magnolia is quite hilly. You can see gravel hills called moraines. These were left behind by melting ice sheets long ago. There are also areas of muskeg, which are wet, boggy lands.
Rivers and Lakes
Many small creeks and rivers flow into Round Lake and Isle Lake. The Sturgeon River is an important waterway here. It flows right under the Magnolia Bridge before it reaches Isle Lake.
