Buffalo Lake, Alberta Explained

Buffalo Lake
Settlement Type:Hamlet
Pushpin Map:CAN AB Grande Prairie # Alberta
Pushpin Label Position:none
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Buffalo Lake in the County of Grande Prairie No. 1
Pushpin Mapsize:220
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Canada
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Alberta
Subdivision Type2:Region
Subdivision Name2:Northern Alberta
Subdivision Type3:Census division
Subdivision Name3:No. 19
Subdivision Type4:Municipal district
Subdivision Name4:County of Grande Prairie No. 1
Government Type:Unincorporated
Leader Title:Reeve
Leader Title1:Governing body
Established Title:Settled
Established Date:1913
Established Title2:Hamlet
Timezone:MST
Utc Offset:−7
Timezone Dst:MDT
Utc Offset Dst:−6
Coordinates:55.1123°N -119.5234°W

Buffalo Lake or Buffalo Lakes is a hamlet in northwest Alberta, Canada that is under the jurisdiction of the County of Grande Prairie No. 1. It is located approximately 22km (14miles) northwest of Grande Prairie. The locality is on Highway 59 within proximity of Buffalo Lake, for which it is named. Buffalo Lake is one of a group of lakes referred to as Buffalo Lakes (other lakes named are Jones Lake and Gummer Lake).[1] Bison were known to use the lakes as a watering hole and to wallow in the shallow waters as a respite from heat and insects.[2] Many buffalo skulls were found in the area by early settlers.[3]

The first public building in Buffalo Lake was the Anglican Church, built in 1913. In 1918, the United Farmers of Alberta Hall was built a half-mile east of the church. In 1917, the Buffalo Lake post office was established. Businesses in the community included a blacksmith shop, a livery stable, a café and two garages. A curling rink was built in the mid-1930s across the road west of the store. The present hall was built in about 1950.[4] Buffalo Lakes School District was established in 1914.

The post office closed in 1952. The hall closed circa 2010, but the building remains on site.[5]

See also

References

55.3747°N -119.0231°W

Notes and References

  1. Book: Aubrey. Merrily K.. Place Names of Alberta Volume 4. 1996. University of Calgary Press. Calgary, Alberta. 1-895176-59-X. 28.
  2. Book: Aubrey. Merrily K. Place Names of Alberta Volume 4. 1996. University of Calgary Press. Calgary. 1-895176-59-X. 28.
  3. Book: Buffalo Trails - Tales of the Pioneers. 1978. Buffalo Lake Community Society. Buffalo Lake, Alberta. 0-920564-14-3. 3.
  4. Book: Buffalo Trails Tales of the Pioneers. 1978. Buffalo Lake Community Society. Buffalo Lake. 0-920564-14-3. 3.
  5. Book: Buffalo Trails - Tales of the Pioneers. 1978. Buffalo Lake Community Society. Buffalo Lake, Alberta. 0-920564-14-3. 3.