Barrhead

Barrhead is a town of 4,600 people (2016) in North Central Alberta. Barrhead was an important trading centre during the settlement of northwest Alberta. The town now relies on are oil and gas, forestry, and agriculture industries.

Understand

Barrhead stretches along the Paddle River and at the intersection of Highway 33 (Grizzly Trail) and Highway 18. It is also on the route of the Express Trail, used by the North West Company.

History

During the late 19th century and the early 20th century, Barrhead played an important role in the settlement of northwest Alberta. Highway 33, known as the Grizzly Trail, follows the original Klondike Trail, which was the shortest route to the Yukon during the Gold Rush years. Once established, this route was key to the settlement of the Peace River region. The old Barrhead town site, 3 km north of the present Town Centre, was a frequent stop over for the few Klondikers and others who needed supplies for the rigorous journey north. Established in 1906, Barrhead's position as a major trade centre on the historic Klondike Trail gave it a significant role in the settlement of north-western Alberta. It was a vital link in the trade route from Fort Edmonton to the Yukon. James McGuire, the child of one of the first settlers in the area, named Barrhead after his hometown in Scotland.

Today, the community's rich history can be revisited through a collection of artifacts at the Barrhead and District Museum. The museum also houses a large display of African taxidermy, as well as the Barrhead Visitor Information Centre, which is open from May to September. The great blue heron is another prominent figure in local lore, is often spotted along the shores of the Paddle River and local lakes, and is the town's official animal. A statue of the bird sits next to the Community Gazebo that marks the town centre and miniatures of the bird adorn the street posts.

Climate

The town has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. There are four seasons. Temperatures reach upwards of 35 °C during June, July, and August and for a few months a year drop as low as −50 °C. Rainfall is moderate, with the majority falling during the summer months. The area is noticeably wetter than in surrounding regions, particularly to the south and east. Around a metre of snow falls on the region during winter. During the summer solstice, twilight extends throughout the night and during the winter, night comes quickly. However, the town gets to experience beautiful displays of the Aurora borealis and this helps with the dark.

Get in

By car

Barrhead is about 120 km north of Edmonton at the intersection of Highway 33 (Grizzly Trail) and Highway 18. Travelers from Edmonton can either take Highway 2 north to Westlock and follow Highway 18, or take follow Highways 16 and 43 to Highway 33.

By plane

The nearest international airport is in Edmonton. Barrhead has a small airport southwest of town but it has no commercial flights.

Get around

DKC Taxi, +1 780-674-1621. 2020-05-15

See

Barrhead Centennial Museum, 5629 49 St, 54.126719°, -114.401170°, +1 780-674-5203, barrheadcentennialmuseum@gmail.com. June 1- Labour Day long weekend: Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. 2020-05-15
Fort Assiniboine National Historic Site (Fort Assiniboine Museum), Hwy 661, Fort Assiniboine (approximately 40 km NW of Barrhead), +1 780-584-3737. Constructed in the classic Hudson’s Bay Company-style of a trading post and reflects the fur-trading times that helped to establish the area. 2020-05-15
Klondyke Ferry (Vega Ferry), 54.432159°, -114.483591°. May-Nov: Daily 6:30AM-11:30PM. The Klondike (Vega) Ferry on the Athabasca River is one of only 7 remaining ferries in the Province of Alberta. The ferry operates from April to October. An ice bridge serves the crossing during the winter months. 2020-05-15

Do

Fort Assiniboine Sandhills Wildland Provincial Park, Fort Assiniboine (50 km NW of Barrhead), 54.389212°, -114.607709°, +1 780-960-8170. A protected area along the north shore of the Athabasca River. Features a diverse number of landscapes, from river flats to dunes to forests. Activities include backcountry hiking, horseback riding, backcountry camping, cross country skiing, hunting, and fishing. 2020-05-15
Thunder Lake Provincial Park, +1 780-674-4051. Located on the north-western shore of Thunder Lake, the park features setting for boating, water-skiing, swimming, running, fishing and camping. 2020-05-15

Golf

Barrhead Golf & Country Club, 59213 Range Road 40 (4 km W of Barrhead), 54.099528°, -114.445357°, +1 780-674-3053. Championship, 18-hole golf course features a challenging 6650-yard layout. Included in Golf Digest’s "Best Places To Play" for the last three years. 2020-05-15
Paddle River Golf Course & Country Club, 4722 49 St, 54.115695°, -114.402688°, +1 780-674-5059, prgcdir@gmail.com. 9-hole golf course in the town of Barrhead; excellent course for everyone from beginners to advanced golfers. 2020-05-15

Buy

Barrhead has some small shops in its downtown area.

Eat

All Greek, 4929 50 Ave, 54.118811°, -114.405374°, +1 780-284-8124. 2020-05-17
Leals & Teals Steakhouse, #2 4923 50 Ave, 54.118480°, -114.404348°, +1 780-674-4478. M-W 11AM-9PM, Th-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su noon-5PM. 2020-05-17
Ramzi's Burger & 2 for 1 Pizza, 5323 49 St, 54.124210°, -114.401374°, +1 780-674-2050. M-Sa 11AM-9PM. 2020-05-17
Piccola Italia, 5021 50 St, 54.119508°, -114.404271°, +1 780-674-4074. 2020-05-17
Reids Kitchen, 5115 50 St, 54.120809°, -114.403912°, +1 780-674-6944. M-F 9AM-4PM. 2020-05-17

Drink

West Of The 5TH Distillery, 5101 51 St, 54.120873°, -114.404936°, +1 780-283-1809, info@westofthe5th.com. Vodka distillery. 2020-05-15

Sleep

Bed & Breakfast

Mortons Bed & Breakfast, 4511 52 Ave, 54.121110°, -114.393435°, +1 780-674-8862, theresa@mortonsbnb.com. Bed & Breakfast in a rustic, completely restored 100-year-old home. Two rooms available, pet friendly, can take up to four guests, street parking available. 2020-05-17

Hotels & motels

The Barrhead Inn & Suites, 5905 49 St, 54.128823°, -114.401111°, +1-780-674-7521, reservations@thebarrhead.com. 49 rooms; includes complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi throughout the building. 2020-05-17
Barrhead Neighbourhood Inn, 6011 49 St, 54.130740°, -114.399362°, +1 780-674-3300, mdana@telus.net. Barrhead's full service hotel. 2020-05-17
Red Baron Inn, 5013 50 St, 54.119081°, -114.404751°, +1 780-674-2336, info@redbaroninn.ca. Hotel with high speed wireless internet. All rooms have fridges and microwaves. Restaurant and tavern. 2020-05-17
Sunset Cove Motel, 5508 49 St, 54.125401°, -114.402542°, +1 780-674-4400, sangba@hanmail.net. Clean rooms with flat screen TV, microwave, fridge coffee machine and free WiFi. Some rooms have a kitchenette. 2020-05-17

Barrhead - town in Alberta, Canada