Edson, Alberta
| Edson | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
| Town of Edson | |
Edson town hall
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| Motto: Heart of the Yellowhead | |
 Edson
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| Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Alberta |
| Region | Central Alberta |
| Census division | 14 |
| Municipal district | Yellowhead County |
| Incorporated | 1911 |
| Government[1] | |
| • Mayor | Greg Pasychny |
| • Governing body |
Edson Town Council
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| • Manager | Mike Derricott |
| • MP | Jim Eglinski (Cons - Yellowhead) |
| • MLA | Robin Campbell (PC - West Yellowhead) |
| Area (2011)[2] | |
| • Total | 29.58 km2 (11.42 sq mi) |
| Elevation[3] | 920 m (3,020 ft) |
| Population (2011)[2] | |
| • Total | 8,475 |
| • Density | 286.5/km2 (742/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Edsonite[4] |
| Time zone | MST (UTC−7) |
| • Summer (DST) | MDT (UTC−6) |
| Postal code span | T7E |
| Area code(s) | +1-780 |
| Website | Official website |
Edson is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada. It is located in Yellowhead County, 192 kilometres (119 mi) west of Edmonton along the Yellowhead Highway and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of the intersection with Highway 47. Residents of Edson are referred to as Edsonites.[4]
Contents
History
The town was originally named Heatherwood, but the name was changed around 1911 in honour of Edson Joseph Chamberlin, vice-president of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. When Edson was declared the local rail centre, smaller communities such as Rosevear (abandoned), Wolf Creek, Carrot Creek and Niton Junction fell into a decline that continues today. In the 1950s, upgrading of Highway 16 caused a dramatic increase in private, commercial and industrial traffic. Today, the Yellowhead Highway carries some of the heaviest traffic flow in Alberta and has been officially declared the second Trans-Canada Highway. In the 1970s, a revitalized coal industry saw the Cardinal River Coal and Luscar Sterco mines launched in the area. The 1980s saw the development of Pelican Spruce Mills (now Weyerhaeuser Canada) and Sundance Forest Industries - two of Edson's major employers. The former hamlets of Glenwood and Grande Prairie Trail were annexed from Yellowhead County by the Town of Edson on 1 January 1984.[5][6]
Geography
Edson lies in the McLeod River valley, immediately east of the Canadian Rockies foothills. The surrounding landscape consists of primarily taiga forest with sand hills and muskeg. The town is located at an altitude of 925 metres (3,035 ft). Two provincial parks are located west of Edson: Sundance Provincial Park along Sundance Creek and Obed Lake Provincial Park surrounding the three Obed Lakes.
Climate
Edson experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), that borders on a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc).
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Demographics
| Population history | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1996 | 7,399 | — |
| 2001 | 7,585 | +2.5% |
| 2006 | 8,098 | +6.8% |
| 2011 | 8,475 | +4.7% |
| Source: Statistics Canada[8][9][10][2] | ||
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The Town of Edson's 2012 municipal census counted a population of 8,646.[11]
In the 2011 Census, the Town of Edson had a population of 8,475 living in 3,386 of its 3,701 total dwellings, a 4.7% change from its 2006 population of 8,098. With a land area of 29.58 km2 (11.42 sq mi), it had a population density of 286.5/km2 (742.1/sq mi) in 2011.[2]
According to the 2006 federal census, Edson had a population of 8,098 living in 3,230 dwellings, a 6.8% increase from the 2001 federal census. The town has a land area of 29.54 km2 (11.41 sq mi) and a population density of 274.1/km2 (710/sq mi).[10]
Economy
The main industries that drive the local economy are resource based – coal, oil, natural gas and forestry products.
Sports
Edson is home to Canada's largest slo-pitch tournament.[12]
Infrastructure
Edson is connected to the Yellowhead Highway from east to west and to Coal Valley via Highway 47 to the south.
Via Rail's The Canadian calls at the Edson railway station three times per week in each direction as a flag stop.
Education
- Grande Yellowhead Regional Division No. 35
- A.H. Dakin Elementary School (K-5)
- Evergreen Elementary School (K-5)
- Parkland Composite High School (9-12 English, French)
- École Pine Grove Middle School (6-8 English, French)
- Westhaven Elementary School (K-5 English, French)
- Living Waters Catholic Regional Division No. 42
- Holy Redeemer Junior Senior Catholic High School (7-12)
- Vanier Community Catholic School (K-6)
- Private
- Yellowhead Koinonia Christian School (K-12)
Media
- Newspapers
Edson has two local papers. The weekly Edson Leader and The Weekly Anchor.[13]
- Radio Stations
- CBXD 1540 CBC Radio One
- CFXE 94.3 Newcap Broadcasting
- CKUA-FM-8 103.7 CKUA Radio Network
See also
References
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- ↑ Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 31 August 2009
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- ↑ The Weekly Anchor
External links
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Grande Prairie | Fox Creek | Whitecourt | |
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| Cadomin | Nordegg | Drayton Valley |
