Maleb, Alberta


Maleb is an unincorporated community in southern Alberta within the County of Forty Mile No. 8, located south of Highway 3, southwest of Medicine Hat.

History

Conquerville was first established in the early 20th century, the area previously having been used by ranchers along the McLeod Trail, en route to Fort McLeod. The route, which had been converted into a railway during the 1890s, brought many passengers and ranchers nearby Conquerville, including coal miners after coal was discovered in the area early in the 20th century. In 1909, Conquerville underwent an agricultural boom, which brought many farmers to the area. The First World War brought prosperity to Conquerville, with the 1915–16 harvest benefiting all; however, the post-war period saw the town fall on hard times. Disease ravaged the local cattle population, and Spanish influenza crippled many families. Grants to farmers, coupled with land grants to new residents supported by the government, led to a revival of the town. In 1945, a large Conquerville school opened, combining nine different school districts into one large centralized district.
In 1954, the town was electrified, and in 1965 the town celebrated its 50th anniversary of its founding, publishing a book, Conquerville: a growing community, to celebrate.

Decline

Starting in the 1980s, Conquerville began its decline. During these years, the local high school – the heart of the community – was closed down due to a lack of enrollment and was partially destroyed by fire in 1992. Today all that remains of the community is a basketball court, baseball field, ruins of the high school, overgrown with weeds and now used for storage by a local farmer. The community hall still remains nearby, and is still used on the odd occasion. Only a few residents remain, it is believed that the farming community of the area began its fall when the school closed.