The Lac La Biche Museum is launching a new project to share the history of the River Lots in Lac La Biche.
Through this project, we are creating an interactive digital exhibit that will explore the River Lots, the family histories connected to them, and the broader history of settlement around Lac La Biche Lake.
The River Lots were long, narrow pieces of land stretching back from the lakeshore. This land system is strongly connected to Métis history in the region and gave many families access to the water, travel routes, and farmland. Over time, the River Lots became home to people from different Nations, families, and cultural backgrounds, each contributing to the story of Lac La Biche.
The 1895 River Lot Map is central to this project. As one of the earliest property surveys of the Lac La Biche area, it will help connect individual lots with the families and stories associated with them. Using this map, visitors will be able to explore individual lots, learn more about the people who lived there, and discover the history that shaped life around the lake.
River Lot Owners According to the 1889 Survey
- 1Frs. De Couennes
- 2Thomas Gladue
- 3Joseph Ladouceur (Senior)
- 4Olivier Courte-Oreille
- 5Adam Ladouceur
- 6Peter Pruden
- 7Augustine Ladouceur
- 8Joseph Cardinal
- 9No name recorded
- 10David Ladouceur
- 11Joseph Ladouceur
- 12Pierre Lapoudre
- 13Abel Lapoudre
- 14Francois Cardinal
- 15Narcisse Ladouceur
- 16Cecile Boucher, wife of Antoine Cardinal
- 17Jean Ete. Lafleur
- 18No name recorded
- 19Antoine Ducharme
- 20Gilbert Contois
- 21Augustine Auge
- 22Julie Rivet, widow of Pierre Auge
- 23Louis Frederic
- 24Jean Ete. Kakekamic
- 25Louis Fosseneuve
- 26Edward Villeneuve
- 27Moise DeCouennes
- 28Eugene Wawlyeman
- 29Joseph Cardinal
- 30Leon Desjarlais
- 31Damase Hupe (pre-emption)
- 32Damase Hupe (homestead)
- 33Francois Ducoine
- 34Thomas Taylor
- 35Louis Lavalee
- 36Alexander Johnstone
- 37Charles Johnstone
- 38R. C. Mission
- 39Marcel Tremblay
- 40Raphael Tremblay
- 41Agapit Ladouceur
- 42R. C. Mission, H. Grandin O.M.I.
- 43Alexandre Hamelin
- 44Julien Cardinal
- 45Louis Cardinal
- 46J. Bte. Desjardins
- 47Francois Larocque
- 48J. Bte. Larocque
- 49Jean Bte. Forcier
- 50The Sisters of Charity
- 51Agathe Ladouceur, widow of Georges Bourque
- 52No name recorded
- 53No name recorded
- 54No name recorded
- 55Arsine Bourque
- 56Widow St. Luc
- 57Joseph Bourque
- 58Joseph Cardinal
- 59Paul Cardinal
- 60Unoccupied, claimed by Alexis Cardinal
- 61No name recorded
- 62Narcisse Boucher (Junior)
- 63Narcisse Boucher (Senior)
- 64Hudson’s Bay Company
- 65The Episcopal Corporation of Albert
- 66No name recorded
- 67Widow Collin
- 68Chas. Quintal
- 69Henri Quintal
- 70Georges Adam
- 71Larocque
- 72Etienne Quintal
- 73Philomine Cardinal, wife of Jules Desjarlais
- 74Antoine Desjarlais
- 75J. Bte. Chanteur
- 76Jerome Quintal
- 77Dominique Cardinal
- 78Philomene Cardinal
- 79Hypolite Desjarlais
Share Your Story
We are looking to record stories about life on the River Lots, as well as family histories from people connected to these places. We are also looking to scan family histories, photographs, and documents such as letters, diaries, and other materials related to River Lot families and properties.
You do not need to donate your originals. Museum staff can scan your photographs and documents and return the originals to you. We will also provide you with digital copies of the items we scan.
We are especially interested in stories from the earlier inhabitants of the River Lots, including Métis families and other families connected to the early history of the area. Stories from later lot owners and families are also very welcome.
By sharing your stories, photographs, or documents, you can help preserve this important part of Lac La Biche’s history for future generations.
The Lac La Biche Museum is grateful to have received an Alberta Museums Association Institutional Grant to support this project.
Get Involved
If you would like to contribute or learn more, please contact Tara Jaklin, curator of the Lac La Biche Museum.
Phone: 780-623-5009
Email: registrar@laclabichemuseum.com