

HISTORY OF BEAVERLOGE, ALBERTA



Settlers arrived in the early 1900's down the Athabasca Trail and the Edson Trail and Hinton Trail. The "Bull Outfit", which came by teams of oxen, were made up of Sherks, Smith, Crabb, Lossing, Walton, Flint, Cranston, Miller, Traux and Gaudin. (Members of a religious group). The Pioneer Stopping Place was one of the first places where travellers could get a meal and a nights sleep. Its Post Office opened in 1910 named "Redwillow" take from the nearby river. Later the name was changed to Beaverlodge, which came from the lodges all along the river built by the Beaver Indians.



The original Beaverlodge settlement was located on the east hill overlooking the valley. The first store opened in 1909 and In 1910 the first school was build at the old townsite with Mrs. C.A. Drake as the first teacher. Two more schools were also built shortly after. When the railway came in 1925, the settlement moved from the hill nearly 2 km to be along the present location by the tracks.





The Canadian Forces Radar Station which started in 1954 was located on the top of Saskatoon Mountain just east of Beaverlodge. It provided a boost to the community til 1988 when the station was finally closed. Beaverlodge has a diverse economy.