Along the southern area coal mines generate power and employment, and recreational businesses have flourished because of the lakes.

Legends told of a large serpent that lived in the lake, where it created dangerous, unpredictable currents that could easily capsize a canoe.

Anne was in a central location with good fertile fields, tall trees for lumber, and plenty of fish and wildlife.

By 1859 the mission boasted it had 17 fat and fine cows, 15 horses, 10 dogs, 10 cats, and a garden with flowerbeds.

Anne by learning the Cree language, starting a school, helping in the gardens and painting the windows of the church so that worshippers would not be distracted during services.

An HBC post, a separate school, an orphanage retreat, a North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) barracks, a dance hall, a post office, several stores, saloons and hotels moved into the area complementing the church, rectory and convent.

[6] Today pilgrims come to the lake from all over North America, many walking miles bare-footed as penance, to witness or be a part of the miracle of healing.

Anne Pilgrimage was declared a national historic site of Canada in 2004 for its social and cultural importance.

Anne Pilgrimage is a site of national historic significance because as early as 1889, Aboriginal people, including Cree, Dene, Blackfoot and Métis, have been coming to Lac Ste.

In 1912 the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) arrived in what is now Alberta Beach, and brought its employees out for company picnics and holidays.

By 1920 they had incorporated the area as a summer village,[8] built a dance pavilion, a large wooden pier, and several cabins.

Other companies such as Marshall Wells and Woodwards then began to bring their employees out for the same relaxing and beautiful atmosphere.

There were two flour mills, a blacksmith shop, the hotel, several stores and trading posts that nestled beside the train station.

Today all that remains is a combination store, laundromat, restaurant, car wash and a post office, community hall and university observation and research station, as well as the Gunn Housing and Senior's Centre.

A French viscount, Charles de Caze, in the 1890s began building a castle on the small island on the northeast shores of Lac Ste.

The naming of this station caused many debates with no resolution, until an enterprising man took out his hymnbook and randomly picked a good tune.

As the story goes many men wanted by the law also found refuge, and the NWMP made many trips to the Hobo Ranch.

[12] Today Darwell has a store, volunteer fire department, community hall, old age home and school.

The summer villages of Ross Haven and Yellowstone, along with the subdivision of Corsair Cove, and the unincorporated hamlet of Gunn lie along the northern shore.

The summer villages of Castle Island, Sunset Point and Val Quentin lie to either side of Alberta Beach.

Anne: Ross Haven Bible Camp, in Ross Haven, and run by the Canadian Sunday School Mission, and Sunset Point Christian Camp, in Sunset Point, and run by the Alberta Pentecostal Missions Society.

Fishing is a popular recreational activity, species including whitefish, northern pike, walleye and yellow perch.