Alberta West News: The History of Phyllis Lake, Alberta

Sunday, May 4, 2025

The History of Phyllis Lake, Alberta

Editor musing: I personally met Phyllis a long time ago when she was a elderly resident of the Caroline area. She told me that the lake was given her name by early government surveyors that came through the area. The reason: She was the first European heritage child born in the Caroline area. The lakes' indigenous name(s) has/have not been officially recorded to date as indicated by research in the following post on this blog.

Phyllis Lake is a scenic foothills destination in central Alberta, located 33 km south of Rocky Mountain House and 16 km west of Caroline. While this tranquil lake now serves as a popular recreational area, its historical development and the origin of its name are not extensively documented in readily available sources. This report examines what is known about Phyllis Lake's history within the context of regional development, Indigenous heritage, and Alberta's provincial parks system.

Geographic Location and Features

Phyllis Lake Provincial Recreation Area is situated in the foothills region of central Alberta, within Clearwater County's jurisdiction. The lake can be accessed by traveling 33 km south of Rocky Mountain House on Highway 22, then 7 km west on Highway 591, placing it approximately 16 km west of the hamlet of Caroline12. This small foothills lake is particularly suited for canoeing, fishing, and electric-powered boating, with gas motors prohibited to preserve the tranquil environment12.

The recreation area features 21 unserviced campsites, most of which face the lake and can accommodate both RVs and tents2. These campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, costing $28 per night according to current rates2. The Alberta Parks management recommends visitors bring their own drinking water, as recent changes to recreation area regulations under the Public Health Act have affected water provision due to potential groundwater contamination risks2.

Indigenous Heritage of the Region

Before European settlement, the lands surrounding Phyllis Lake were part of the traditional territories of several Indigenous groups. The area primarily fell within Blackfoot territory, but other Indigenous peoples including the Stoney Nakoda, Cree, and Anishinaabe also traveled through the region on their way to trade in the mountains7.

The Stoney Nakoda people, who call themselves the "original peoples of the mountains" (Iyarhe Nakoda), have particularly strong historical connections to the Rocky Mountain foothills and watersheds where Phyllis Lake is located21. Their traditional territory ranged from the Great Plains, where they hunted buffalo, to the Rocky Mountain foothills and watersheds, where they harvested resources, fished, and hunted big game21. Today, the Stoney Nakoda First Nation maintains the Big Horn 144A reserve within Clearwater County, established in 1948 and located approximately 100 miles north of their main reserve at Morley20.

Early European Exploration and Settlement

European history in the broader region began in the late 18th century. Peter Pangman is recorded as the first European to arrive in the area in 1780, carving his name and date into a pine tree near the banks of the Clearwater River, five kilometers from the present townsite of Rocky Mountain House7. This tree, known as "Pangman's Pine," became a landmark for the next century7.

A significant milestone in European settlement came in 1799 when the North West Company established Rocky Mountain House as a trading post to facilitate trade with the Blackfoot people715. The legendary explorer David Thompson used this post as a base for several of his surveying expeditions, including his journey across the Rocky Mountains in 18077. The settlement history in what would become Clearwater County thus extends back over 200 years, with early explorers and traders setting patterns of enterprise and development that would influence later communities611.

Development of Caroline and Surrounding Area

While specific information about early settlement around Phyllis Lake itself is limited in available records, the nearby community of Caroline has a better-documented history. Caroline was named after Caroline Langley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Langley, who opened the community's original post office in 190845.

Caroline developed gradually throughout the 20th century, eventually incorporating as a village on December 31, 19514. Recently, on January 1, 2025, Caroline amalgamated with Clearwater County and became a hamlet within the larger municipality4. A significant economic boost came in the mid-1980s when a large natural gas field, valued at 10 billion dollars, was discovered near Caroline5. This field contained sour gas with approximately 35% hydrogen sulfide, and its development by Shell contributed substantially to the local economy5.

Provincial Recreation Area Development

Phyllis Lake is managed as a Provincial Recreation Area within Alberta's parks system. While the specific date of its establishment is not clearly documented in the available sources, its development likely occurred within the context of Alberta's expanding provincial parks system.

Alberta's provincial parks system began with the passage of the Provincial Parks and Protected Areas Act in 19301617. The first provincial parks were established in 1932, with early parks being small recreation sites providing scenic spots for Albertans to swim and picnic1617. Between 1951 and 1971, Alberta experienced a significant expansion of its parks system, with 46 new provincial parks established, most of them for outdoor recreation purposes16. Development during this period focused primarily on recreational campgrounds near lakes, suggesting that Phyllis Lake Provincial Recreation Area may have been established during this time17.

The Mystery of Phyllis Lake's Name

Despite the availability of information about the lake's current features and recreational opportunities, the specific origin of its name remains unclear from readily available sources. The Alberta Geographical Names Web Map, launched in January 2025, aims to make information about the history of place names more accessible, but specific information about Phyllis Lake's naming does not appear to be included in currently available digital resources89.

While there are documented cases of geographical features in Alberta being named after individuals-such as Mount Munday, named after mountaineers Don and Phyllis Munday3-no direct connection has been established between any particular Phyllis and the naming of Phyllis Lake in available records.

Recreational Use and Ecological Significance

Today, Phyllis Lake serves as a quiet retreat in the Alberta foothills, offering various recreational opportunities. The lake is particularly valued for fishing, with evidence from recent years highlighting its popularity. In January 2024, it was documented as an "absolute hotspot for Rainbow Trout" during an ice fishing expedition19The lake and its surrounding area support diverse wildlife, including loons, deer, and migratory birds, contributing to its natural ambiance. Its controlled environment, with restrictions on motorized boats to electric-powered engines only, helps preserve the lake's ecological balance and tranquil character12.

Tourism and Local Economy

Phyllis Lake forms part of the "David Thompson Country" tourism region, which encompasses Rocky Mountain House, Caroline, and Clearwater County1518. The lake contributes to regional tourism as one of several natural attractions that draw visitors to the area.

Tourism has become an increasingly important aspect of Clearwater County's economy, with local governments and businesses working together to improve tourism opportunities in the region18. The David Thompson Country Regional Tourism Working Group, formed by the three local municipalities, works to update regional tourism strategies and connect tourism operators to improve tourist referrals within the community18.

Conclusion

While gaps remain in our understanding of Phyllis Lake's specific naming origin and early development, its place within the broader historical context of Clearwater County and Alberta's provincial parks system is evident. From Indigenous use of the land to early European exploration, from settlement development to recreational evolution, Phyllis Lake's history reflects the larger patterns of central Alberta's development.

For those seeking more detailed information about the lake's history, local resources such as the Caroline "Wheels of Time" Museum and Historical Village or local publications may contain additional insights not readily available through digital means1213. As Alberta continues to make its geographical naming history more accessible through initiatives like the Alberta Geographical Names Web Map, perhaps more light will be shed on the specific origins of Phyllis Lake's name, adding another chapter to our understanding of this scenic foothills destination and its place in central Alberta's rich history.

Citations:

Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

Alberta West News

Welcome To Alberta West Online News

Blog Archive

About Me