Gem, Alberta

Founding: 1900–1920

Gem received its first settlers in the early 20th century, most of whom were farmers from Colorado responding to advertisements by the Eastern Irrigation District corporation.^[9] Shortly after their arrival, Gem's farmers became among the first to benefit from water provided through the corporation's irrigation measures.^[5]

A post office operating under the name Gem opened in August 1914,^[10] and a cemetery opened for the settlement around the same time.^[11] Gem's expansion further benefited from 1915 producing one of the most successful wheat yields in Alberta's history.^[12] Gem School opened in 1919.^[13]

Development: 1921–1989

Gem received railway services in 1927, connecting the hamlet to nearby settlements including Scandia and Rainier.^[9] In November 1928, 25 Mennonite families from Ukraine and Russia settled in Gem.^[14] The Mennonite community built a church in 1932, and opened Bethesda Bible School in November 1933.^[14] A section for Mennonites was introduced to Gem Cemetery shortly after their arrival.^[11]

In the 1950s Gem's Mennonite congregation began to transition from worshipping in Plautdietsch to English.^[15] A new Mennonite church was built in 1952, as the previous building had reached a state of disrepair.^[14] Gem's Bethesda Bible School ceased operations in 1957.^[14]

A Lehrerleut Hutterite colony, Spring View, was founded in Gem in 1979.^[16][17]

Recent developments: 1990–present

Gem's post office closed permanently in 1992.^[5] On May 23, 2004, Gem's Mennonite community celebrated its 75th anniversary.^[14]