Rio Grande, Alberta

Rio Grande is a farming community established in the Redwillow River valley, in the Pouce Coupe Prairie of southern Peace River Country.

The name was suggested by settlers Min and Clay Stumpt after they spent the winter near the Rio Grande on the Mexico-United States border,[1] perhaps referring to the Redwillow River and the “grande prairie” nearby.

[2] Public events and buildings followed one another in quick succession: the first Rio Grande Rodeo in 1916, a Catholic Mission in 1917, Rio Grande School District in 1918, and the post office in 1919.

In the late 1920s, the Rio Grande Rodeo received a permanent location on the south banks of the Rio Grande, and on the north side of the river, on the SE quarter of section 35, township 70, range 12, west of the 6th meridian, a hall was added north of a large new church and rectory.

[1] This formed the neucleus of the community for many years until the store was destroyed by fire in 1955.