Keg River, Alberta

The Hamlet of Keg River is located along Highway 35 approximately 91 km southwest of High Level, Alberta. About 120 miles north of Peace River. Here is the gas station, convenient store (photo above), school (now closed) and only a few houses. The original Settlement of Keg River is located 14 km west of the Highway. Only a few buildings remain in that area like the church, hall and library.

Keg RIver Sign - more info

Residential Area - more info

Teepee - more info

KROC Society - more info
Keg River is a farming community. The elevator that stood for many years has been torn down where Alberta Resources Railway hauled the grain grown in the area. It was situated where the railway crossed the Keg River Post Road. A Forest Ranger Station is located nearby with its own grass airstrip. There are a few Bison Ranchers in the area as well. Encana Oil and Gas have plants set up at the Keg Post/ Keg River area and Paddle Prairie area. The area is still popular for fishing, hunting and camping.


Multi Sign - more info

Keg River Hall - more info

Library - more info

Church St Jude - more info




HISTORY OF KEG RIVER, ALBERTA

The Hamlet of Keg River is located on the original site of the Slavey and Cree Indians summer village. In 1896 the Hudson Bay Company arrived in the area as the fur trade industry was beginning to grow. Over the years more stores were built and in 1931 Keg River had their own doctor. The first post office opened here in 1932 with L.G. Harrinton the first postmaster. The name of the community "Keg River" was taken from the nearby river. The name of the river originated from the kegs of brew found in the river. In 1935 construction started on the Mackenzie Highway.

In the early 1960's many men worked on the construction of the Great Slave Lake Railway that passed by Keg River. One of the civil engineers, Bill Johnston, worked on this project with many others and stayed at the main building on the left, now the site of the Millennium Cabins near the Keg River Bridge. (Above photo submitted by Bill Johnston - Photo taken June 1962) The highway was gravel and turned to mud after a rain. Photo of truck on highway early 1960's - enlarge photo

KEG RIVER ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT
The original Hamlet of Keg River is located 14 km west off Highway 35. At one time there were a number of houses located here but it was decided to move them next to the main highway. Today there is only a church, hall and library at the original hamlet location. Annual Events held here are the Annual Baseball Tournament and Christmas Bazaar.


NOW POSTED Events of the Peace Country



Dr. Mary Jackson School located along Highway 35 along with a few residences and gas station and is in the Northland School Division 61. Named after Dr. Mary Jackson, a pioneer physician and homesteader who arrived in the area in 1929 and who retired in 1974 and later moved to Manning, Alberta. She died in 2000 at the age of 95. The Board of Trustees approved the closure of Dr Mary Jackson Shool (Kindergarten to Grade 12) effective August 31, 2018 because of declining enrolment.

The community surrounding Keg River shares its services with nearby Hamlet of Paddle Prairie located about 15 km north (76km south of High Level), which has an Arena for skating and hockey, a BMX track, Skateboard Park, Day-care, School, Store, Library and Post Office. Paddle Prairie got its name from the paddles and canoes that were left behind when the Beaver and Slavey people moved north when the waters in the area dried up. The first post office was opened in Paddle Prairie in 1945.


RADIO STATIONS: 89.9 FM CFWE, Alberta's Aboriginal Voice Radio is available from this area.

CAMPGROUNDS: The closest Provincial Park is Twin Lakes Provincial Recreation Area. 65 km north of Manning. 46 sites, electric motors only. Water, boat launch, fishing for rainbow trout, swimming, beach, hiking trails.

Notikewin Provincial Park is located 37 km north on Highway 35 and 30 km east on Highway 692. Situated in a valley where the Notikewin River joins the Peace River. Water, fishing, hiking trails. 19 sites.
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