Rolla
Rolla is an agricultural community consisting of an unincorporated settlement, at the junction of the Rolla and Sweetwater Roads, surrounded by primarily grain producing operations on quarter-section parcels. The entire area is within the Agricultural Land Reserve. Its store, church, and pub are located in the townsite, approximately 24 km (15 miles) northeast of Dawson Creek. The community is also serviced by an agriculture fertilizer service centre, a solid waste transfer station, and a community sewage system.
One of the first communities in the South Peace, Rolla was first settled in the early 1910s. It was named after the Township and City of Rolla, in Missouri, USA, from which Mr. L.H Miller immigrated. Its first school, a small log cabin, was built at the Rolla Cross roads in 1912 and was one of the first 3 schools in the area. This school provided schooling from grades 1 to 12 but in 1948 the children were bused to Dawson Creek to attend high school grades 9 to 12. Later a new elementary school was built in 1964 and remains to offer education services to children of the Rolla area. A post office opened in 1913. In 1914 the settlers built their first community hall and an Anglican and United Church. Today there are about 150 people living in Rolla.
Community Facilities
| Facility | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rolla Elementary School | 5167 – 405 Street, Lot 2 Plan 16160, 5-80-14 | Built in 1964 on a 6 acre site |
| Rolla Community Hall | Lot 1 Plan 16160, 5-80-14 | Built in 1967 on a 1.5 acre site |
| Rolla Pub and Hotel |
Lot 1 Plan 35092, 5-80-14 | Oldest hotel in south peace region |
| Rolla Centennial Park |
Plan 11901 5-80-14, corner of Sweetwater Road and 407 Street | 4 acre site created in 1967 |
| Rolla Bible Baptist Church | 617 – 400 Ave, Blk 4 Plan 10648, 32-79-14 | |
| Rolla Convenience Store | Lot 3, Bk. 1, Plan 11239, 5-80-14 | Convenience store, post office and liquor sales |
| Rolla Agriculture Service | Part of NW1/4 4-80-14 | Anhydrous Fertilizer facility – established in 1997 |
| Rolla Cemetery | Parcels A & B, NW ¼ 33-79-14 | 2 acre rural cemetery |
| Sewage Lagoon | Lot A, Plan 26022, SW ¼ and SE ¼ 33-79-14 | 20 acre site |
Visitor Comments
There will be a reunion for all people attending the Ft.St.John Students Dormitory. For information please contact Regina Hensel on Facebook or email henselregina@live.com or call 778-866-1736
Since many names and addresses have changed over the years, we would appreciate your help in getting this message out at your meetings. Thank-you very much.
I would like to know how to obtain a Rolla History book please. Thank-you.
There is a history book titled "Rolla Remembers, 1912-1952" (published in 1991) available at the Dawson Creek Municipal Library. Try an inter-library loan through your local library.