From its earliest documented history as a long line of apartment and town home dwellings on the bluffs along the Canadian River in the 1100's through today's present rebirth, Canadian has always inspired the imagination of those who visit and the loyalty of those who call it home. In 1544, long after the culture that had built those apartments along the western side of the panhandle disappeared, Coronado and his band wrote romantic descriptions of a land with stirrup high grasses and warned of a fierce and dangerous river.

Fortunately for the Apache and later Kiowa and Comanche Indian tribes of the Canadian River area, settlers avoided the area for many years due to continuous, perhaps exaggerated reports by government surveyors and cavalry troops of the volatile Canadian River and its treacherous quick sand, scorching summer winds and winter blizzards. These tribes followed the buffalo herds across this part of Texas and into Oklahoma and Kansas, making camp on the Canadian River and Red Deer Creek in the north part of Hemphill County and Gageby Creek and the Washita River in the South for several decades after Central and South Texas was “civilized.”

Welcome to Canadian!

Whether you're visiting for the weekend, returning for one of our annual celebrations, or moving into our community, your friends and neighbors in Canadian welcome you to our "Oasis on the Prairie."

While in Canadian, make sure to visit our many area attractions. The River Valley Pioneer Museum tells the tales of years gone by in our area and often serves as an exhibit hall for local artists. The Citadelle Art Museum, opened to the public in May of 2009, houses a world-renowned collection of art. Work up your appetite by taking a walk on the historic Canadian River Wagon Bridge or by strolling around the paths at beautiful Lake Marvin. Don't exhaust yourself in the great outdoors for too long because Canadian is home to many unique retail shops that you won't want to miss!

"Working Together For the Future of Canadian"
Who are We?

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization of businesses and individuals who are working together to improve the economic, civic, and cultural well-being of the Canadian area. Anyone interested in helping promote the area (which means more business, more jobs, and a better standard of living for everyone) is eligible to be a member of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber of Commerce membership registration is now available online. You can register and submit your membership dues via Paypal directly from our site. Click here to go directly to our online registration page. But, before you do please read about the benefits of becoming a member of the Canadian Texas Chamber of Commerce.