Sylvester, Alberta facts for kids
Sylvester is a small place in northern Alberta, Canada. It is part of the County of Grande Prairie No. 1. Sylvester is about 41 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Highway 43. It is also about 75 kilometers (47 miles) west of the city of Grande Prairie.
Contents
What is Sylvester?
Sylvester is known as a "locality." This means it's a specific place that used to have a community, but it might not have many people living there now. It's like a historical spot on the map.
The Story Behind the Name
The name Sylvester comes from a nearby stream called Sylvester Creek. The creek was named after a man named Sylvester Belcourt. He was a fur trapper of Iroquois Cree Metis heritage. He settled in that area a long time ago.
Sylvester's Early Days
Sylvester used to have a post office and a store. These were important places for the people living there.
The Post Office and Store
The Sylvester Post Office opened in June 1936. It was located about 60 kilometers (37 miles) west-southwest of Grande Prairie. The first person in charge of the post office was T.R. Elliot. His store was also part of the post office building. This made it easy for people to send mail and buy supplies in one place. The post office closed in 1951.
The Itipaw School
Right across from Mr. Elliot's store and post office was the Itipaw School. This was a one-room school built in 1934. It was made of logs, which was common for schools back then. Children from the area went to Itipaw School to learn. The school closed its doors in 1952.
Learning More About Sylvester
If you want to find out more about Sylvester and the people who lived there, you can look for a book called "Beaverlodge to the Rockies." This book shares stories and facts about the history of the area.
