Sites to See in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, and Parkland Area

City of Spruce Grove History

Many towns were named with reference to their surrounding landscape. Groves of spruce trees and poplars were prominent throughout the countryside of this region and our founders queried naming the new settlement after such, but were undecided as to which one to choose. ‘Poplar Grove’ was already established in the west so the decision was unanimous...‘Spruce Grove’ was bornSpruce Grove was settled by French and Scottish families in 1891 and originally comprised a general store, livery stables, blacksmith shop, hotel and the Roman Catholic Church. The town's centre was located on the crossroads of Century Road and Baseline (now Highway 16).In 1908 the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway came through Spruce Grove and a train station was build south of Baseline on the north side of the tracks, directly in line with what is now Main Street. This resulted in moving all of the established businesses three quarters of a mile west to the present location of the City of Spruce Grove. With the establishment of the railroad, the community became a busy grain-trading center.Spruce Grove was incorporated as a Village in 1955, a Town in 1971 and celebrated its 10th anniversary as a city in 1996. As Alberta’s 16th city, Spruce Grove is one of Western Canada’s fastest growing communities. With a population of  23,326 in 2009 and still growing.

The Grain Elevator

Town of Stony Plain History 

 The Town has a pride in its history which began in 1881 when the first homestead in the area was documented. In 1892 the area was known as Dog Rump Creek until a post office was named for the region and it became Stony Plain. In 1907, Stony Plain's first Sheriff, Israel Umbach, made national headlines when he chained a locomotive to the railway tracks for non-payment of taxes and changed the course of history. In 1908 Stony Plain was officially incorporated as a town. Stony Plain's history is kept alive through its murals program, numerous historic sites, and the Multicultural Heritage Centre.

Today Stony Plain, with a population of 12,363, services a surrounding population of over 60,000 people. What continues to make Stony Plain unique is the fact that the town and its people guarded and retain the historic ties to the railroad, the RCMP, and the agricultural community.

The Pioneer Museum

The Multicultural  Heritage Centre

The Murals

Brief History of Devon

The Discovery that changed Canada February 13, 1947 Leduc Number 1 Discovery Well Located South of present day Devon on the former Mike Turta Farm. Needing to find living quarters for workers who were employed in the oil fields. Imperial Oil chose a picturesque spot 25 miles southwest of Edmonton and bounded on 2 sides by the North Saskatchewan River to build a new and well-planned town. Devon was created. The name was chosen for the Devonian Reef formation in which the oil at Leduc #1 was discovered. Incorporation  Athabasca Avenue - Pagoda Dine and Dance, opened July 5, 1949. In January of 1950, Devon was incorporated as a Village and in March of the same year it became a Town. Devon was labeled as Canada's Model Town, since it was the first community in all of Canada to be approved by a Regional Planning Commission. An Urban County Athabasca Ave. Devon quickly grew over the years and in the early 1960's became the only Urban County in the Province of Alberta. This is a system of government that administers both the municipal and school operations. This system operated until the mid 1990's when the school division was separated from the Town and consolidated with the Black Gold Regional School District.

The Devonian Gardens

Stony Plain Murals

The Murals Program was initiated in 1989 to preserve and celebrate our heritage. Since that time, the Town of Stony Plain has been recreating its history through an aggressive Murals Program. To date there are over 30 life-size murals, one six-foot statue of Sheriff Israel Umbach and 2 statues at Town Office, as a celebration of our Town's 100th Birthday in 2008. Magnificent outdoor paintings and sculptures, created by artists from across Canada, depict the rich history of our community. From early postal service to our first Town Sheriff to our aboriginal heritage Stony Plain’s legacy lives on through the art. An attraction that is ‘always open’ Stony Plain’s Murals are a unique way to take you back in time.

Here is a picture of one of the oldest murals.

The Multicultural Heritage Centre

The Multicultural Heritage Centre is a living Museum which reflects local history, Western Canadian pioneer life and much more!  Comprised of two historic buildings: the Old Brick School built in 1925 and the Oppertshauser House Built in 1910. There is a lot to see around the Multicultural Heritage Centre Museum.The Multicultural Heritage Centre's Archives, and Wild Rose Library contain collections reflecting local history and Western Canadian pioneer life. 

Here are some pictures of the Multicultural Heritage Centre 

The Pioneer Museum

The Pioneer Museum received its certificate of incorporation on April 10, 1992. On June 4, 1992 the donated Don Gray barn was moved onto the present property which was leased from the Stony Plain and District Exhibition Society. This building serves as the main display area, as well as providing the office/administration areas. Since that time a 3,000 square foot multi use facility has been added. Historical buildings moved to the site include the Brightbank United Church, the Baron barn, the Armbruster House, and the Seba Beach Cabin. In addition, considerable resources were put into improving the parking area to be used by both the Exhibition Society and the museum.Since inception, the museum has catalogued and displayed approximately 5000 artifacts. The artifacts range in size from large pieces of farm machinery to many smaller pieces which are 100 to 200 years old. Most of these items have been donated or loaned to the museum.


Here are some pictures of the museum.