Peace River
The people of Peace River are steeped in their history, as diverse as the cultures that call the town home and warmly welcome all guests. They can’t help it. These characteristics flow through their veins as the waters run through the Peace.
Home to one of the most breathtaking landscapes in northern Alberta, inspiration is never lacking here. Great inspiration is reflected in the vivid works of art, sharp and poignant playwriting, thriving song writing and flair for music that have always been part of Peace River’s culture and heritage. This is a community full of stories and adventures that are told everyday in a variety of ways for the cultural explorer to enjoy.
Regardless of the time of year, Peace River is brimming with activity! The summer nights are alive and vibrant with music drifting on the evening breeze from the many open-air concerts. The trees, in their red and gold finery set the valley ablaze with colour in autumn; game is plentiful; and there are fall fairs to visit. The crystalline snow glistens off the ski slopes in winter and the many cosy establishments, with their frost-trimmed windows, are inviting places to enjoy the snow from within. The valley sheds its wintery cloak in spring and the lush canopy of green returns, the liveliness reflected by a bustling town.
The threads of history, woven through the community, intertwine at the Peace River Museum, Archives and Mackenzie Centre. Learn of the fur traders and peoples native to the shores; how the Peace River was used as a waterway for the commercial steamers and traders, as well as the men and women of local legends. Henry Fuller Davis, known as “Twelve Foot” Davis, was a gold prospector who mined a small fortune on a twelve foot plot of land in the Cariboo Mountains of British Columbia. When his gold-seeking days were over, he became a trader, establishing trading posts at Dunvegan, Peace River and Fort Vermilion.
Dr. William Greene contributed mightily to his community as a dentist, actor and wilderness advocate. He was hush about his early careers in engineering, medicine and aviation, being one of the first eight men in the world to fly. For those seeking memories of the past, the Twelve Foot Davis gravesite and Dr. Greene cairn can still be visited today.
Whether you are drawn to an urban setting immersed in culture, history, modern-day amenities and great shopping, or a true adventurist at heart, longing for open skies and bountiful wildlife, come and be inspired by Peace River.
Beautiful by Nature.
Diverse by Culture.
Vibrant by Choice.
