Alberta Road Trip: Sylvan Lake or is it Snake Lake?
Sylvan Lake, previously known as Methy, Swan, and even Snake Lake, has an intriguing history. David Thompson’s famous 1814 map of the foothills of the Rockies named the lake Methy Lake, a derivation of the Cree word for burbot (or ling fish) commonly found there. Later, explorer John Pallister’s map of 1859 gave it the name Swan Lake.
And then in 1899, when French speaking settlers from Quebec and the United States arrived, the lake was known as Snake Lake (taken from the Cree name kinepik (ᑭᓀᐱᐠ) in reference to the numerous garter snakes in the area).
Past & Present
A few year later, many early residents - particularly those interested in promoting the area as a resort - thought a different name was needed so prospective tourists would not be “frightened off.” Consequently, the name was officially changed to Sylvan Lake in 1903. "Sylvan" is from the Latin “sylvanus,” which means "of a forest."
Sylvan Lake had been a summer resort for families in the Red Deer area since the early 1900s. With the coming of the Canadian Northern (1912) and Canadian Pacific (1914) railway lines, "the Lake" became a favourite day trip spot for families from both Edmonton and Calgary too.
Link: Winnipeg, Manitoba: Going To The Beach By Train
The early summer visitors camped in tents, but soon the "Cottage Area" east of 46 Street and in "Lower Camp" on the southeast shore began to fill with rudimentary summer cottages. In the 1930s and 1940s, people began arriving by car and the areas around Norglenwold, Sylvan Lake Provincial Park and Jarvis Bay Provincial Park also began to fill up with summer visitors. Today the lake is a popular year-round outdoor playground with winter activities ice fishing, skating and snowmobiling.
Cobb’s Block Central Sculpture Park
Sylvan Lake Sculptures
No information on this artwork was located.
Sit With Friends, 2002, Darcy Fullerton, Mary Grace,
History Walk Panels
There is a paved walkway along the lakeshore with several history panels telling the community’s history. This would be a great idea for any town, village or city. I saw something similar in the village of Delia.
Last Word
Sylvan Lake is a thriving village with a population of about 15,000 people, with many commuting to Red Deer for work. The downtown and beach have the feel of a ‘60s beach town with motels, hotels, ice cream shops, pizza parlours, restaurant patios and beach paraphilia shops. And like most towns these days public art and murals help create a fun pedestrian experience.
Nobody is going to confuse the beach at Sylvan Lake with those at Grand Beach in Manitoba, or Wasaga Beach or Grand Bend in Ontario. But then they don’t have anything to match Alberta’s majestic Rocky Mountains. In Canada, no matter where you live, you are fortunate to have access to Mother Nature’s amazing attractions.
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