BEZANSON

Located just 20 km east of Grande Prairie, Alberta, is the Hamlet of Bezanson with a population only 85 but provides services to the rural community of about 1200.

The Bezanson General Store has served the Community of Bezanson and the travelling public since the 1950's. It is a convenient store, gas station, movie rental store, post office and liquor store all in one. Lefty's Cafe is located on the left side of the store. Also located on the same block is the Bezanson Hotel a very popular spot for truckers, road and survey crews, and tourists which opened in the fall of 2000. For years Highway 43 passed right through Bezanson. With the twinning of the highway in 2001, the highway now by-passes the hamlet to the north.

Bezanson is located a few kilometers from the beautiful Smoky River Valley. The new $7.8 million Smoky River bridge, east of Bezanson, was completed mid November 2001. Highway 43 is now a four-lane highway from the Four Mile Corner, near Grande Prairie, to Crooked Creek. The project is part of the twinning project from Gunn, near Edmonton, to the B.C. border. The 1st bridge at the Smoky River was built in 1949.	Bezanson is located in the rich agricultural region of the South Peace as well as a leading production area for natural gas and oil. Besides cattle there are a number of bison herds in the area. There are a total of 125 bison producers in the Peace Region. The Peace Country Bison Association was established in 1984. The Peace Region is home to 50% of all bison raised in Alberta.	Bezanson Campground. Located at the Old Bezanson Townsite, 10km southeast of Highway 43, is a day use area plus 20 campsites with no services where you can camp overnight for a small fee. This campground has its own playground and ball diamond. Situated on the banks of the Smoky River allows for some great views of the river and exciting hiking experiences.

Events: The Bezanson Ag Society holds its annual Horse Show each year (July or August). For more information on the Horse Show contact Margaret (780) 539-1936. For other community events in Bezanson contact Brenda at (780) 532-7169. Some of those events include the 1st Ball Tournament of the Year in May, 4-H runs all year, and Curling Bonspiels take place in the winter months.

2009 EVENTS OF THE PEACE COUNTRY

Native Flowers, Shrubs and Trees of the Bezanson Townsite The Bezanson Communities in Bloom Committee has published a booklet about the native plants and flowers found in the Old Bezanson Townsite by means of a grant from the AB Government. Photographs and research was done by Dr. Joan Snyder. The booklet is available at: Bezanson General Store, County of Grande Prairie office, Grande Prairie Museum, or by calling Irene Gitzel at Bezanson to place an order 780-539-3884

OLD BEZANSON TOWNSITE

The Old Bezanson Townsite is located 10 km southeast of Highway 43.

The first site of Bezanson was established in 1910. One of the 1st settlers was Ancel Maynard Bezanson. 1914 building of many business began. The townsite along the banks of the Smoky River grew til the rail-line missed the area. Markers indicate the original locations of those first buildings. Only a few pictures of the original settlers were displayed here with map of the settlement.

In the early years the Old Bezanson Townsite included: Morrison's Store, Croken, Barn & House, Root Sellar, Turners House, Dorn's Restaurant, Brotherson & Dewhurst Shoe & Harness shop, Flour Mill, Parker & Frederckson's House, Steve Webb's Barn, Hall & Leonard's Store, Morrison's Barn, Mart Gerry's Blacksmith Shop, Billy Bayhan's Livery Stable, Steve Webbs House. The Peace River Milling and Co. Flour Mill . A. Brotherson in February 1915, built a shop with full line of harnesses and saddles as well as repairs. Boot and shoe repairs were also available.

The Ferry was finally in operation in April of 1915 crossing the Smoky River.

In 1916 school was first held in the Presbyterian log church which was located at the top of the Smoky River hill. In 1919 the first school was built and named after A.M. Bezanson. In 1951 it was sold and moved to the Bezanson Village where it burned down.