The Region

The Summer Village of West Cove is located approximately 80 km northwest of Spruce Grove and 100 km northwest of Edmonton, Alberta on the south shores of Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta. It was officially incorporated on January 1, 1963. West Cove had a permanent population of 169 in the 2006 Federal Census. There are approximately 600 temporary residents and 305 lots.

The Summer Villages of West Cove, Ross Haven, Sunset Point and Val Quentin all border Lac Ste. Anne. Lac Ste. Anne, is a large lake in central Alberta, Canada. It is located in Lac Ste. Anne County, along Highway 43, 75 km west of Edmonton.

The lake has a total area of 54.5 km², a maximum depth of 9 m, and an average depth of 4.8 m.Lac Ste. Anne lies at an elevation of 730 m, and has a drainage area of 619 km². The eutrophic lake is formed along the Sturgeon River through which it drains into the North Saskatchewan River. Two islands are found at the western end of the lake, Farming Island and Horse Island, while the small Castle Island lies at the eastern tip of the lake.

The Atlas of Alberta Lakes is an excellent resource to learn more about the lake, its history and its current use.

Environmentally, particularly as it relates to the lake itself, most (but not all) cottage owners and users of Lac Ste. Anne recognize the need to keep the lake free of pollution. In cooperation with the Provincial Government, the Summer Village of West Cove and other lakefront municipalities and stakeholders share an important role as environmental stewards of Lac Ste Anne and its surrounding lands.

Alberta Beach

Several miles east, Lac Ste. Anne was the hostess of more history. In 1912, the Alberta Northern Rail (ANR) built the railroad to what is now Alberta Beach. It brought its employees out for company picnics and holidays. By 1920, they had incorporated the area as a summer village, built a dance pavilion, a large wooden pier, and several cabins. Other companies such as Marshall Wells and Woodward's then began to bring their employees out for the same relaxing and beautiful atmosphere.

There area was in such demand that the Moonlight Express was started. ANR picked passengers up in Edmonton on Saturday mornings, took them to Alberta Beach, and then returned them on Sunday night to Edmonton.

Soon people began purchasing and building their own cabins, and small businesses. In 1999, the Summer Village of Alberta Beach became a village boasting 884 year round residents, and swelling to over 3000 people during long weekends. A hotel and many small businesses prosper within the village. Alberta Beach has developed in many ways while still preserving the reason for its original popularity. The tranquility and beauty of the lake still draws admiration and provides relaxation to those who come to enjoy the area.

Hamlet of Gunn

In the 1900s, the Hamlet of Gunn was also developing as a major trade center, consisting mainly of Métis and Indian people. There were two flour mills, a blacksmith shop, a hotel, and several stores and trading posts that nestled beside the train station. In the 1930s, an army training center was built where the Gunn Housing Center now operates. Prosperity reigned until the army left and the Canadian National Railway (CNR) removed its rail station. With it, many of the residents and businesses also left. Today all that remains is a combination store, laundromat, restaurant, car wash and post office, a community hall and a University of Alberta observation and research station, as well as the Gunn Housing and Senior's Center.

Castle Island

In the 1890s, a French viscount by the name of Charles de Gaze began building a castle on the small island located on the northeast shores of Lac Ste. Anne, which he named Constance Island, in honor of his only daughter. The castle was to be four stories high, built of stone. The walls were to be three feet thick and crowning it was to be a stone battlement running all the way around. The castle was to be his retirement home but he died at the age of 44 and did not complete his project. For many years, only two stories of his dream castle stood to pique the curiosity of people stopping to picnic and enjoy the panoramic view of the lake.

Approximately twenty years later, a Mr. Shorty purchased the island. He demolished the castle and transported several cabins to Constance Island. During prohibition, it was an excellent spot for parties and fun. Years later he built a causeway which provided better access to the island. Eventually the island was sold, renamed Castle Island, subdivided, and incorporated into a summer village.

Darwell

In 1912, a rail station was also responsible for creating another community: Darwell, located between Lac Ste. Anne and Isle Lake. The naming of this station caused many debates with no resolution, until an enterprising man took out his hymnbook and randomly picked a good tune. The tune had the name Darwell in it.

Darwell Station became known throughout Alberta as "Hobo Stop" because of a ranch which never turned away anyone asking for shelter. Many men who were out of work rode the rail to Darwell to get food and lodging in exchange for work. As the story goes, many a man wanted by the law also found refuge and the North-West Mounted Police made many trips to the Hobo Ranch. Today Darwell boasts a store, garage and school. The old ranch has long disappeared, but the hospitality of this hamlet still exists today

 

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of residents permanently residing in the West Cove. There is a desire to see expansion and growth, yet maintain the current character and aesthetics of the summer village. Our Land Use Bylaw helps to accomplish this goal.