Edson, Alberta

Edson
Town
Town of Edson
Edson town hall
Motto(s): Heart of the Yellowhead
Edson
Location of Edson in Alberta
Coordinates: 53°34′54″N 116°26′04″W / 53.58167°N 116.43444°W / 53.58167; -116.43444Coordinates: 53°34′54″N 116°26′04″W / 53.58167°N 116.43444°W / 53.58167; -116.43444
Country  Canada
Province  Alberta
Region Central Alberta
Census division 14
Municipal district Yellowhead County
Incorporated[1]  
 • Village January 9, 1911
 • Town September 21, 1911
Government[2]
 • Mayor Kevin Zahara
 • Governing body
 • Manager Mike Derricott
 • MP Jim Eglinski (Cons - Yellowhead)
 • MLA Eric Rosendahl (Alberta NDP - West Yellowhead)
Area (2016)[3]
 • Land 29.72 km2 (11.47 sq mi)
Elevation[4] 920 m (3,020 ft)
Population (2016)[3]
 • Total 8,414
 • Density 283.1/km2 (733/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Edsonite[5]
Time zone UTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Forward sortation area 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.

History

The town was founded as 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 declared the second Trans-Canada Highway. In the 1970s, a revitalized coal industry launched the Cardinal River Coal and Luscar Sterco mines in the area. In the 1980s Pelican Spruce Mills (now Weyerhaeuser Canada) and Sundance Forest Industries (now Edson Forest Products a division of West Fraser Mills Ltd.) became 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.[6][7]

Demographics

Population history
YearPop.±%
19967,399—    
20017,585+2.5%
20068,098+6.8%
20118,475+4.7%
20168,414−0.7%
Source: Statistics Canada[8][9][10][11][3]
Downtown Edson (50th Street)

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Edson recorded a population of 8,414 living in 3,359 of its 3,762 total private dwellings, a −0.7% change from its 2011 population of 8,475. With a land area of 29.72 km2 (11.47 sq mi), it had a population density of 283.1/km2 (733.2/sq mi) in 2016.[3]

The Town of Edson's 2012 municipal census counted a population of 8,646.[12]

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.[11]

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

Due to Edson's high elevation, the community experiences a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc). The highest temperature ever recorded in Edson was 37.2 °C (99 °F) on 2 July 1924.[13] The coldest temperature ever recorded was −48.3 °C (−55 °F) on 22 January 1943,[14] and 14 January 1950.[15]

Economy

The main industries that drive the local economy are resource based – coal, oil, natural gas and forestry products.

Sports

Edson was home to Canada's largest slo-pitch tournament until 2017.[19][20]

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 Public School Division No. 77
  • A.H. Dakin Elementary School (K-5) now Mary Bergeron Elementary School (K-6)
  • Evergreen Elementary School (K-5) moved to Mary Bergeron Elementary School (K-6)
  • 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
Private
  • Yellowhead Koinonia Christian School (K-12)

Media

Newspapers

Edson has at least two local papers: the weekly Edson Leader and The Weekly Anchor.[21]

Radio Stations

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Location and History Profile: Town of Edson" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. June 17, 2016. p. 225. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)" (PDF) (PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229). Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Edsonites are recycling champions". Edson Leader. Sun Media Corporation. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  6. ↑ "Board Order No. 16195" (PDF). Local Authorities Board. 3 March 1983. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  7. ↑ "The Alberta Gazette (O.C. 640/83)" (PDF). Province of Alberta. 15 August 1983. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  8. ↑ "Table 10: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions, Census Subdivisions (Municipalities) and Designated Places, 1991 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data". 96 Census. A National Overview – Population and Dwelling Counts. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. 1997. pp. 136–146. ISBN 0-660-59283-5.
  9. ↑ "Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  10. ↑ Statistics Canada. "Edson - 2006 Community Profiles". Retrieved 2007-06-11.
  11. 1 2 "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  12. ↑ "Municipal Census Stats". Town of Edson. 18 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
  13. 1 2 Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Data, accessed 19 May 2016
  14. 1 2 Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Data, accessed 19 May 2016
  15. 1 2 Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Data, accessed 19 May 2016
  16. ↑ Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 31 August 2009
  17. ↑ Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Data, accessed 19 May 2016
  18. ↑ Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Data, accessed 19 May 2016
  19. ↑ Edson Leader (27 July 2007). "Let's play ball! Kin Slo-pitch ready to roll". Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  20. ↑ [http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edson-kinsmen-slo-pitch-tournament-cancelled-1.4233763 "Bankrupt and dissolved, Edson Kinsmen club forced to cancel annual slo-pitch tournament", Emily Rendell-Watson, CBC News, 4 Aug 2017 ]
  21. ↑ The Weekly Anchor
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