History and Heritage

Established in 1951, the County of Grande Prairie was the first county in Alberta. Our rich history, however, began millions of years earlier, as we are home to one of the richest areas for dinosaur fossils in western Canada.

Archeological artifacts suggest frequent human habitation on these lands dating back as far as 9400 to 7500 BC. At the time of first European contact in this area, the land was held by the Beaver and Cree First Nations. The first surveyed community was the Métis Settlement of Flying Shot Lake in 1907. Soon after, settlers made their way to the area from various locales.

Explore our History

About the County

Located in northwestern Alberta, on Treaty 8 Territory, the County of Grande Prairie is home to a mix of urban and rural vibrant communities and immense opportunities. Our foundation is the people who live and work here: friendly, innovative, creative and welcoming.

The natural resource-rich area serves as a home to a diverse economic base that includes forestry, energy, agriculture, construction and manufacturing, as well as tourism, hospitality and retail. It also offers a playground for locals and visitors, with an abundance of indoor and outdoor recreation and cultural activities to suit any age.

Meet County Council, find information on upcoming meetings and learn more about its initiatives and plans and stay up to date on the latest news. As laid out in the Strategic Plan we work to achieve the vision of: The County of Grande Prairie No. 1. First in building sustainable, prosperous and safe communities.

Learn more about our history, upcoming events or read all about our services and amenities to appreciate why our residents give us top marks for quality of life.