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One of Edmonton, Alberta’s favorite cottage destinations originated in 1912 when the Canadian Northern Railway (CNR) began sending employees to the shores of Lac St. Anne for holidays and picnics. Soon, other large companies in the Edmonton area, including Marshall Wells and Woodwards, also began transporting their employees and families here to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the lake.
By 1920, the Summer Village of Alberta Beach had been incorporated, offering attractions such as a dance pavilion, walking pier, boardwalk and campground to visitors. On weekends, a special CNR train called the “Moonlight Express” brought people to the Beach for the weekend. It wasn’t long before hotels, boat rental businesses, rental cottages/cabins, grocery stores and restaurants were soon established to take advantage of the weekend crowds.
In 1936, the railway stopped running trains to Alberta Beach and sold their interests to various parties, but by then many families who had visited the lake on weekends had purchased land for summer cottages. Some of these families have owned the same property for nearly 100 years and some have moved their families from the city to the Beach permanently.
This Community Memories exhibit documents the early history of Alberta Beach: the role of the CNR and stories of the early entrepreneurs and pioneers who laid the foundation for the Alberta Beach of today.
