Originally 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.

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.

In 1811 the first letter ever delivered from British Columbia to Montreal passed through this trail and its importance as a communication and trade route began to grow.

[6] During the gold rush some Klondikers attempted to use the trail, although most preferred the drier route that was established heading up to Athabasca Landing.

The pack-trail was widened to allow teams of horses and wagons, loaded high with provisions, to carry gold seekers north.

A small store in the log home of Percy and Mary Johnstone (2 miles north and 1-mile (1.6 km) east of town) was in operation.

A store in Josh Cason's house, south and west of town, was operating in 1908 and a lean-to on the side provided a room for a school.

Soon the Speck brothers (Ted and Fred) had built a bridge across the river and a sawmill was in operation on the north side.

A blacksmith shop and a merry-go-round type swing completed the busy centre where nearly a hundred people attended the picnic in 1909.

The Paddle River Co-operative Society was formed in 1912 and opened a store in the old Johnstone building northeast of Barrhead in 1913.

The McGuire family suggested the name of their home town in Scotland and soon the Barrhead, Alberta, post office opened in the store on January 1, 1914.

The bus service to Edmonton was started in 1926 and the Toronto Dominion/TD Canada Trust bank was opened in the stopping house.

He built a house, barn, dug a well and did some fencing, mostly in the northeast corner of the quarter, the highest area of land.

The pattern of the streets and lots were carefully laid in relation to the railway tracks and buildings went up in rapid succession.

Thunder Lake is very popular for boating, fishing and camping and is home to many residents from other areas of the province during the summer months.

Barrhead lies in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3a) [10][11][12] and is characterised by pleasant summers and frigid winters.

[15] Dairy, sheep, livestock, wheat, and fruit crops are examples of the types of agricultural activities in the area.

There are two web development companies (bizuns) and Slomp Technologies The town houses the province's correspondence school, which in 1991 was renamed the Alberta Distance Learning Centre.

Barrhead is currently in the Peace River—Westlock federal electoral district represented by MP Arnold Viersen.

Barrhead is currently in the Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock provincial electoral district represented by MLA Glenn van Dijken.

[18] Barrhead Composite High School (winners of the Reach for the Top national championship in 1973) serves the community.