Estonian pioneers in Alberta: Community halls and cemeteries

Dave Kiil

In the late 1800s and the first decades of the 20th century Estonian pioneers settled west of the Great Lakes on both sides of the 49th parallel in the U.S. and Canada, including Alberta, Montana, North and South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Availability of large blocks of land was the primary attraction. Important Estonian agricultural communities were established in Bloomville, Wisconsin; Fort Pierre, South Dakota; Daglum, North Dakota; Chester, Montana; and Stettler, Medicine Valley, and Barons, Alberta.

The settlements varied in size from about a dozen families to several hundred. Initially, the settlers concentrated on providing shelter for their families, acquiring domestic animals, and clearing land for agriculture. As the pioneer settlers became established, various forms of social and economic organizations were established in support of their lifestyles. Communes or collective organizations were formed, sometimes driven by the political leanings of the community leaders. Agricultural societies, loan and savings co-operatives, men’s and women’s clubs, sports teams and bands, and, perhaps most importantly, community halls, churches, and cemeteries were established in the bigger communities.

In the U.S., the Fort Pierre, South Dakota, Estonian agricultural colony became established in 1894, followed by a Lutheran congregation in 1897. Apparently the congregation existed without a Church. A small settlement was established in 1902 near Daglum, North Dakota. In Wisconsin, the Schley Estonian Church was built in 1914. An Estonian community became established in Chester, Montana, by 1910 and included Estonians who left Barons in southern Alberta.

The following pictures provide an introduction to the community halls, a school, a chapel, and cemeteries established by Estonian pioneers in Alberta during the first decades of the 1900s. Linda Hall and the chapel/cemetery, the Gilby Kalmu and Barons cemeteries continue to serve the needs of local communities.