Communities

This section elaborates on the communities, towns, and cities directly affected by Estonian settlement. Uncover the history of the Medicine Valley, Stettler-Big Valley, Barons, Peace River, Foremost, Walsh and Sylvan Lake. As well, learn how urbanization influenced the development of Alberta's Estonian population in the second half of the 20th century.

When the Estonian pioneers ventured into the Medicine River Valley the countryside reminded them of the landscape around Võru, Estonia. The rolling hills, rich loam, fish resources in the rivers, extensive forest cover and availability of contiguous quarter-sections of homestead land contributed to their decision to establish an Estonian community in the Medicine Valley area of Alberta. The Estonian Chapel was built near Linda Hall in the Stettler area of Alberta in 1906. Numerous upgrades and improvements were completed over the years. An aerial view of the village of Barons in southern Alberta looking west. Numerous Estonian families settled in the Barons area as early as 1904. A group of Estonians settled in the northern-Alberta town of Peace River in the 1920s and 1930s.

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the Alberta Estonian Heritage Society. All Rights Reserved

Heritage Community Foundation Alberta Source Alberta Lottery Fund This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program
Alberta Estonian Heritage Society National Estonian Foundation of Canada Estonian Ministry of Education and Research

Alberta's Estonian Heritage