Sleeping in History:
When the government of Alberta decided to pull out of its supervisory role of many small roadside campgrounds in the province, back in the early 1980's, the Duhamel Historic Society, being fully aware of the significance of the spot on which the Duhamel campground stood, stepped up to the plate. On the banks of the Battle River, near New Norway, the site is the original home of the Duhamel Metis Settlement, started by the Laboucanne family back in the 1870's.
The Duhamel Historic Society has erected a monument to the settlement that stands on the grounds, a silent reminder of the life once lived along these banks. The campground is on an honour pay system. |