Town History

David Thompson was among the first European explorers to reach the region in 1799. Despite this early activity, Lesser Slave Lake was not officially named until nearly half a century later.

In the years following Thompson’s arrival, as many as five fur trading posts were established around the lake, drawn by the abundance of fur-bearing animals. The Hudson’s Bay Company built a post at the eastern end of the lake, an area that later became a significant location for the North West Company as well.

At the mouth of the Lesser Slave River, a small settlement emerged known as the community of Sawridge. In the early 1930s, a major flood destroyed much of the settlement, prompting residents to relocate approximately five kilometres south. This new community became known as Slave Lake. The Village of Slave Lake was incorporated in 1961 with a population of 500 and formally became a town in 1965.

In 2011, catastrophic wildfires devastated the Town of Slave Lake, the Sawridge First Nation, and the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River. In Slave Lake, 333 single-family homes and 169 apartment units were destroyed, along with three churches, ten businesses, and a local radio station. The government centre, including provincial offices, the Town Hall, and the library, was also lost. In the surrounding Municipal District, 56 homes and a fire hall were destroyed.

Recovery was led by the Lesser Slave Lake Region Tri-Council, representing the Town of Slave Lake, the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River, and the Sawridge First Nation, with significant support from the Government of Alberta. Much of the rebuilding has now been completed, and regional initiatives such as FireSmart continue through the Tri-Council. The Legacy Centre stands as an enduring symbol of strength and renewal.

Today, Slave Lake is a vibrant and resilient community with a diverse economy rooted in forestry, agriculture, oil and gas, tourism, and public services. Surrounded by natural beauty and anchored by a strong spirit of collaboration, the town continues to grow as a regional hub for recreation, business, and family life.