LA CRETE

La Crete is located 320 km north of Peace River, Alberta. (South of High Level about 115 km) A Mennonite Community with a population of over 2,000 that serves a trading area of approximately 7,000.

There are many modern shops in the downtown area of La Crete, Alberta
MORE PHOTOS: Click on the mini-pictures above to enlarge photo.

The name La Crete came from what the early settlers described the ridge of land as resembling a rooster's comb (which in French is la crete.) The Rivard brothers came from Quebec during World War 1 and were the ones who filed for land in 1914 at the mouth of the small creek that flowed into the Peace River. The original landing is about nine kilometers to the southwest of the Hamlet and called La Crete's Landing. In the mid 1930's the first Mennonites moved here. The hamlet was created in 1955 with the first post office opening in 1956 with Mrs. Knelson as the first postmistress. Today 50% of La Crete residents are under the age of 25. The majority of the people speak "Plautdietsch" or "Low German" even though all businesses serve their customers in English.

La Crete’s economy is fueled primarily by agriculture with logging a close second. The largest employer of La Crete is La Crete Sawmills Ltd. (located a few km southeast of LaCrete along Highway 697) It employs approximately 110 people. (780) 928-2292. It is located next to Evergreen Lumber that specializes in dimensional lumber, rough and planed, also cutting squares. (780) 928-3616. Aspen Point Sawmills Ltd. Specializes in Aspen Cants and dimensional lumber. (780) 928-3366.

La Crete and Area Chamber of Commerce. (780) 928-2278
La Crete Chamber of Commerce website.

The Northern Pioneer is a weekly newspaper published every Wednesday by Mackenzie Highway News. It has served the La Crete, Fort Vermillion area for over 25 years. (780) 928-4000. An advertising pamphlet called "The Big Deal Bulletin" also is a local publication.

Events of La Crete:
There are many activities held during the year in La Crete that brings the community together. Each spring the LaCrete Spring Trade Fair is held in April at the Northern Lights Recreation Centre. The Agriculture Society puts on 2 events each year. Farmer's Day held in June and Pioneer Days in September celebrate the history of La Crete. Demonstrations are held on how farming was done many years ago. La Crete Agriculture Society (780) 928-2817. La Crete also hosts their own professional rodeo each year which brings in some of the same cowboys who participate in the Calgary Stampede. Also each year in March, the Northern Lights Recreation Centre hosts the annual Challenge Cup Hockey Tournament. There are many golf tournaments are held through-out the summer months at the La Crete Golf & Country Club.

NOW POSTED:
2012 Events of the Peace Country

MORE PHOTOS: Click on the mini-pictures above to enlarge the photos of crossing the river.

The Tompkins Landing is located 69 km southwest of La Crete or 18km east of Highway 35. The Tompkins Ferry is one of only two ferries operating in Alberta. It crosses the Mighty Peace River and only takes a few minutes and there is no cost to travellers. Tompkins Landing was first used by the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement upstream from its present location. When Highway 697 was built, the landing was moved.

La Crete Ferry Campground: (Located on the banks of the Peace River)
This campsite was developed in 2008, and has 44 sites, wood and water supply, shelter building, playground, concession store, RV sewer dump. There is plans to add another 30 sites to the campground (possibibly in 2011)