History

Our Roots Along French Creek

The story of French Creek Country RV didn’t begin with an RV park. It reaches back through generations of farming, family and community life in the French Creek and Fawcett district.

A Rural Community Built Around Family

In the early years, farms, local schools and community gathering places connected families living throughout this countryside.

One of those places was Fifth Meridian School.

The Fawcett district history records that the school stood just down the road from the Houle family farm at SE 13-64-1-W5. Armand and Elsie Houle boarded some of the school’s teachers in their home, including Miss Colbins.

Armand served on the Fifth Meridian School Board from 1943 until the school closed in 1945. His sons Lawrence and Norman attended the school before local children were eventually bused into Fawcett.

The Smith Family Comes to Fawcett

On July 28, 1958, Sigmund “Joe” and Marie Smith moved from Boyle, Alberta, to Fawcett with their three children.

They purchased two quarter-sections formerly owned by C. T. Miller and later another quarter from James Murfitt, giving the family three quarters in 10-64-1-W5.

The Smiths became mixed farmers, raising grain, cattle and hogs and even as many as 3,000 turkeys in a single year. Joe also worked in trucking and logging.

Their youngest son, Gary Smith, born in 1955, grew up here from about the age of three, attending school in Fawcett and Westlock.

A Vision for the Valley

Gary’s family connection also extended to what would eventually become Hidden Valley.

His parents owned the Hidden Valley property. Gary’s father saw possibilities in the landscape and envisioned the area eventually becoming a place for recreation — including a campground and golf course.

Gary’s childhood here wasn’t simply about farming. French Creek was part of growing up. It was where neighbourhood children and friends could fish, swim and explore, surrounded by the water, wildlife and quiet of rural Alberta.

From Family Land to French Creek Country RV

Over the decades, the countryside changed. Small family farms became fewer and the way people used the land evolved, but the qualities that made this valley special remained.

French Creek still winds through the countryside. Wildlife still moves through the valley. The sunsets, stars and northern lights still fill the sky.

French Creek Country RV grew from that history.

It represents another chapter in a family connection to this valley spanning generations — from farms and one-room rural schools, to Hidden Valley and a father’s vision for recreation, to the seasonal camping community here today.

Our hope is that families who stay at French Creek aren’t simply finding somewhere to park their RV.

They’re becoming part of the next chapter of a place that has been bringing people together for generations.