In 1910, Ontario-born Alexander Cameron Rutherford who was of Scottish descent put the name on land he owned east of Mill Creek.

It is the heart of Edmonton's Franco-Albertan community[7] and hosts the only francophone university west of Manitoba, the University of Alberta's Campus Saint-Jean, which is located north of Whyte Avenue on Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury (91 Street).

The neighbourhood extends from Connors Road in the north to Whyte (82) Avenue in the south, and from Mill Creek Ravine in the west to 83 Street in the east.

Surrounding neighbourhoods include: Strathearn to the north, Idylwylde and Holyrood to the east, and King Edward Park to the south.

The French-language public school board Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord has its headquarters in the La Cité Francophone complex.