South Peace Regional Archives

10/12/2026

Newspaper and Radio were crucial tools for the people of the South Peace who relied on them for their news. CFGP was Grande Prairie’s first major radio station. They operated three major locations around Grande Prairie from 1937 to the modern day. Over their long history, they ran numerous radio frequencies. In 1996, the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission gave them approval for the 97.7 frequency. You may know CFGP these days as Rock 97.7. [1940] {SPRA 0256.01.21}

10/10/2026

👻Ghost Stories returns for its fifth year on October 23 and 24! 👻 Join us for an evening of bone chilling and bizarre stories from right here in the Peace Country. Featuring historic crimes, ghostly encounters, and even some of the real experiences of the staff of Bear Creek funeral home. And all of the funds raised help support the work of the South Peace Regional Archives, in preserving stories for years to come!

Get your ticket now! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/grande-prairie-ghost-stories-2026-tickets-2003088591900

10/08/2026

Sharing a meal is the easiest way to bring people together. Today's features the family and friends of Rudy and Jennie Croken on their wedding day. In 2011 and 2014, Jennie Tomshak Croken shared with the archives photographs and stories of her family's life and celebrations. Whether it's with friends, family, or strangers, Thanksgiving is time for good food and good conversations. [1937] (SPRA 112.02.01.04)

10/05/2026

By 1960, Grande Prairie looked very different. Richmond Avenue had become a much more densely packed place. Near the location of the previously mentioned Salmon Hotel, the Paris Hotel was built in its place. One of the most important buildings on the street was the Grande Prairie Co-Op, which was the primary grocery store for many of the people living in the city. [1960] {SPRA 2005.071.8}

10/01/2026

Tea, scones and so much more. Today's features the Grande Prairie Women's Institute (GPWI) members at the Bank of Commerce opening tea in 1959. Established in 1924, the GPWI has engaged in the provision of numerous welfare services and organized social activities throughout the Grande Prairie community and surrounding areas. We can credit the GPWI for helping to start and run Grande Prairie’s first public library. [1959] (SPRA 152.02.02.21)

09/29/2026

The South Peace Regional Archives will be closed on Wednesday, September 30 for the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.

09/28/2026

If you were to walk through Grande Prairie during different decades, the most obvious change you would see is what Main Street looked like. In 1914, when some of the earliest pictures of GP were taken, the city looked very different from the city today. One of the most prominent buildings at the time was the Salmond Hotel, the first multi-story hotel in town. At this point in time, what infrastructure was in place was designed to accommodate the growing population of settlers. Rest stops and hotels were highly valued amongst people who had just spent the last few weeks walking the trails to GP. [1914] {SPRA 2005.006.04}

09/24/2026

For Truth and Reconciliation Day this year, celebrates the created spaces for open dialogue and shared community and culture. Founded in 1965, the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre has spent 61 years creating a space for cultural connection, practical support, and a sense of belonging for Indigenous individuals and families. Moreover, they are committed to bridging the cultural gap between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Collectively, we must acknowledge and take action in response to our collective past, standing alongside Indigenous peoples by showing up and demanding change. [1992] (SPRA 190.02.01.1709.18)

09/21/2026

One of the longest continuing congregations in Grande Prairie was the St. Paul United Church. Originally formed in 1925 as a merger of previous Methodist and Presbyterian congregations. While their initial church house was a relatively small one, by the 1970s they had a large church built along 100 Avenue. Each version of the church was built in the same location as the previous one, allowing for a shared continuity between the buildings. [1970] {SPRA 50.08.03.18}

09/19/2026

In 1910, at the age of 60, Agnes Forbes joined her husband on the Alberta frontier and dedicated herself to community-building endeavors, from serving tea in her front yard to building a hospital right on their homestead. Read more about this remarkable woman on our blog!

Image above: Portrait of Agnes Sorrel Forbes who came to the Grande Prairie area as Presbyterian missionaries with her husband, Dr. Alexander Forbes, in 1910. ca. 1910. (SPRA 1994.58.02b) Agnes Sorrel Forbes played an important role in the development of both community life and healthcare during the...