WANHAM

Located 89 km northeast of Grande Prairie, Alberta, on Highway 49 is the Village of Wanham with a population of approximately 167 people.

There are 2 versions on how Wanham got its name. Some believe that it came from the aboriginal word meaning "warm winds". Others believe it was named after the Village of Wanham, in Surrey, England.

Wanham was established in 1916 as a station on the Railway line and named by an engineer, J.B. Prest, who worked for the railway. A few years later in 1918, the first post office was started with Peter Tansem the first postmaster. Later his son Wallace took over the post office and was one of the people who published the Wanhamite in 1969, a weekly newsletter.

The Prestville church was built in 1937 (4 km east of Rycroft. Prestville was another community named by J.B. Prest). The church was moved to Heart Valley and then to Wanham, where it became the Sunday School Department at the back of Knox Presbyterian Church.

The first district nurse of the area was Miss Kate Brighty in the year 1924. It served the area of Wanham and the surrounding area of Peoria, Westvale and Heart Valley.

Wanham hosts the Annual Provincial Plowing Match as well as the Canadian Plowing Match in June. Draft Horse plowing, pulling, log skidding & tractor plowing. Modified truck & tractor pull. Children's tractor pull. Alpaca show, trade show, gymkhana, horse show, horseshoes, silent auction. -Horse Drawn Antique Parade -Fashion Show -Old Time Bands -Northern Lights Equestrian Drill Team Show Karaoke Contest The Annual Bull Riding Extravaganza also takes place. Wanham Plowing Match

Wanham has become known for is Annual Plowing Match. It first started in 1971 when some of the first matches held were the Queen of the furrow competition and the horseshoe tournament. Today the event is held mid June, and has become known as the Alberta Provincial and Canadian Plowing Match. (780) 694-3915.

NEWPRO, Northern Engineered Wood Products, located a few km west of Wanham employed approximately 50 people from the area as well as Grande Prairie. In January of 2006, it announced it was closing. It wasn't that long ago that it was converted to make particle board which uses sawdust and shavings from sawmills in the Peace Country including Canfor.

The $37 million plant originally opened in the spring of 1999 and used fescue straw to produce particle board. This one-of-a-kind plant was only open for a short time, when it was ordered into receivership in September of 1999.

2010 EVENTS OF THE PEACE COUNTRY

Wanham Grizzly Bear Prairie Museum located at the junction of Highway 49 and 773. Hours of operation June to August.

The Museum is a 2 story log house built in 1925.

You can see a collection of machinery and farm tractors from the 1900s at the Museum. A restored farm house built in 1924 furnished with artifacts, also a collection of many other buildings including a restored First Presbyterian Church. The church opened originally in 1934.

Wanham Public Library located on Main Street.

Many attended the Wanham School over the years. The school closed in 1997. With windows boarded up, it is now occupied by a Honey Farm.

Birch Hills Hutterite School is located near Wanham. (780) 694-2040.

Heart Valley Christian School (780) 694-2609.