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BROWNVALE
ALBERTA, CANADA
Brownvale Hotel and Bordertown Pub. It was built in the later 1920's, had 10 rooms upstairs for rent and provided entertainment and a gathering spot for many years. One could rent a room for only two cents a night in the 1930's. It finally closed in about 1999.
The Brownvale Community Library is one of the oldest buildings in the hamlet, and is still in use. Located on 3rd Avenue next to the playground. It was first used in Grimshaw and re-located to Brownvale in the early 1960's.
The Brownvale Community Hall located on the corner of 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue is used for funerals and bake sales.
Camping:
The Brownvale Recreation Area is located 1.5 km west of Brownvale. Has camping facilities. Baseball diamonds, horseshoe pits and trails.
Figure 8 Lake located 20 km north of Brownvale. Has 19 campsites, group camping, picnic areas, beach, boat launch. (no gas motors) Stocked with rainbow trout. In 1969 this lake was just a slough. Many volunteer hours were spent by the Brownvale Community to drain it, clear the brush, bring in sand and stock it with trout. Today 5 to 6 pound rainbow trout can be caught.
At The Brownvale North Peace Agricultural Museum is a R.V. Dumping Station.
BROWNVALE
Located 161 km north of Grande Prairie, Alberta, on Highway 2 is the Hamlet of Brownvale, with a population of approximately 130. Brownvale is 10 km from Berwyn.
In 1924 Brownvale was created as a urban centre to serve the agricultural area. The owner of the homestead that was chosen for this site was John Brown who arrived in the district in 1913. "Vale" was added to the name of the hamlet, as it described the sloping landscape of the area. The land slopes downward in three directions from the Hamlet.
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One of the first things you see coming into the hamlet is the large mechanical bronco bull and rider that marks the spot of the Brownvale North Peace Agricultural Museum. The Museum is a collection of original buildings and artifacts. Includes the house and barn of John Brown, who homesteaded this area in 1913. The museum is open July and August 10am to 6pm. The mechanical bronco bull was built in 1986 by the Alberta Government for the Alberta Pavilion in Vancouver for a cost of $30,000. It was constructed out of fiberglass, wood and metal and stands 15 feet high. The rider is supposed to represent Brian Mulrooney, who was Prime Minister of Canada at the time. After the expo, the bull and rider was auctioned off and purchased by George McKenzie for $4000 who donated it to the museum. Every summer it is turned on which the youngsters especially enjoy. |
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| Grey Eagle School is located at the Museum. It was the first school of the area built in the year 1923. It was moved from approximately 6 km west of Brownvale to the village. Many artifacts displayed inside the school. | Also located at the Museum is the Brownvale Post Office built in 1926. The first postmaster was F. Algar. Also you can see a 1929 restored Chevrolet Landeau Convertible. Only 300 built in North America and now only 16 still known in existence. |
At one time the population of Brownvale grew to 200-300 people and with up to 33 businesses in this flourishing hamlet. The break down started with the centralizing of businesses in the 70's and 80's that resulted in many of them moving to Grimshaw and Peace River. In 2002 there is one business, "Tom Roberts Computers" and of course the Museum.
There are a number of residents that have lived in Brownvale all their lives and have no desire to move anywhere else. Many enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the community.
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Brownvale Firehall. Municipal District of Peace No. 135. Manned by a volunteer fire crew of 10 to 12 people. The last big fire was in 1971 when Northpark Motors burned. Since then there has been very few fires, mainly grass fires and auto fires. It wasn't that long ago that a new fire truck was added to the firehall.
The Brownvale Community Club. Hold bingos every Tuesday in the Auditorium of the old school that was originally built in 1950.. Also held are dances, tea parties, weddings and funerals. Located at 4th Avenue and 4th Street. (780) 597-3899.
In 1983 the school was closed resulting in students being bussed to Grimshaw or Peace River.
McQueen Memorial Presbyterian Church. One of the early churches of the area that closed in the 1970's and restored by the Brownvale Museum. Also saved by the Museum is the Greek Orthodox Church originally from Berwyn. It was destined to be demolished and burned. Weddings are still held at these churches.
Brownvale has been a strong farming community for many years. The railroad eventually was gone and in 1998 the Alberta Wheat Pool elevator was torn down. Many antique tractors of the area are displayed at he museum.
Also at the Museum you can see an old King Seagrave Fire Wagon from 1911. It is definitely one-of-a-kind.
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