Alberta places named after women and the stories behind them

Alberta is full of places with names you have probably heard before but never really thought twice about. Some of them happened to be named after women, and once you start looking into it, the stories are absolutely fascinating.

From small towns to well-known destinations, these places all have their own history and are definitely worth checking out.

Lake Louise is one of Alberta’s most iconic destinations, but its name has a deeper history than most people realize. Originally known as the Ho-run-num-nay by the Stoney Nakoda people, meaning “Lake of Little Fishies,” it was later called Emerald Lake before being renamed in 1884.

The final name honours Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria.

Where: 111 Lake Louise Dr., Lake Louise, Alta.

Lois Hole is one of those Alberta names that show up in a few places, and this park is one of them. She was a businesswoman, author, and Alberta’s 15th Lieutenant Governor, but she was already well known for her community work and her greenhouse business in Sturgeon County.

The park itself protects Big Lake and the surrounding wetlands, which honestly feels pretty fitting given her connection to growth and community.

Where: 5305-56 Street, High Prairie, Alta.

Mount Edith Cavell is one of those Alberta Landmarks that looks almost unreal in person. Located in Jasper National Park, the mountain was renamed in 1916 in honour of Edith Cavell, a British nurse remembered for her role in helping Allied prisoners during the First World War.

According to Parks Canada, it is best known for its dramatic north face and the Angel Glacier, which makes it one of the most recognizable mountains in the Rockies.

Where: Cavell Road off Highway 93A/ Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park

Mount Mary Vaux sits near Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park and was named in 1908 by explorer Mary Schäfer Warren after her friend Mary Vaux Walcott.

According to the Town of Banff’s official website, Walcott was an American botanist, scientific illustrator, and early mountain explorer who spent over 40 years documenting the Rocky Mountains.

She is best known for her wildflower paintings, which were later published in a five-volume set called North American Wild Flowers.

Where: Maligne Road, Jasper, Alta.

Leah Peak sits in Jasper National Park and was named by Mary Schäfer after Leah Beaver, the wife of Stoney Nakoda Guide Samson Beaver. Samson played an important role in helping Schäfer reach the lake by providing a map of the area, which she used during her journey through the Rocky Mountains.

Where: Maligne Road, Jasper, Alta.

After going through these, it is kind of hard not to think about the Alberta places differently. There is much more history behind them than you would expect, and it makes these familiar spots feel even more interesting.

It’s a pretty cool reminder that there is always a story behind a name.

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Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

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