Edson, Alberta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Town of Edson | |
| Motto: Heart of the Yellowhead | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Alberta |
| Region | Central Alberta |
| Census division | 14 |
| County | Yellowhead |
| Incorporated | 1911 |
| Government [1] | |
| - Mayor | Greg Pasychny |
| - Governing body | Edson Town Council |
| - MP | Rob Merrifield (Cons - Yellowhead) |
| - MLA | Robin Campbell (PC - West Yellowhead) |
| Area | |
| - Total | 29.54 km² (11.4 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 925 m (3,035 ft) |
| Population (2006)[2] | |
| - Total | 8,098 |
| - Density | 274.1/km² (709.9/sq mi) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
| Postal code span | T7E |
| Area code(s) | +1-780 |
| Website: Town of Edson | |
Edson is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada. It is located in Yellowhead County, 207 kilometres (128.62 mi) west of Edmonton, at the intersection of Yellowhead Highway and Highway 47.
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[edit] History
It was originally named Heatherwood, but the name was changed around 1911 in honour of Edson J. Chamberlain, vice-president of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. Local history maintains that Edson (Heatherwood) was built in its current location because it was the first level spot after Wolf Creek, where the land was quickly bought up after the anoucment of plans to develope a town there rendering it uneconomical for the railway. When Edson was declared the local rail centre, smaller towns such as Rosevear (abandoned), Wolf Creek (current population about 12), Carrot Creek (population about (80) and Niton Junction (population about 100) 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 Route carries some of the heaviest traffic flow in Alberta. The Yellowhead Route has been officially declared as 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.
[edit] Geography
The local geography is very much like that of central Russia: primarily taiga forest with sand hills and muskeg (the Canadian term for low-lying bog).
[edit] Demographics
In 2006, Edson had a population of 8,098 living in 3,230 dwellings, a 6.8% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of 29.54 km² (11.4 sq mi) and a population density of 274.1/km² (709.9/sq mi).[2]
[edit] Economy
The main sources of income are resource based (coal, natural gas, lumber, and building products).
There have been substantial changes in Edson since the 2001 census. The increasing price of gas and oil has brought boom times to this town, with a commensurate increase in population (close to 9,000 as of late 2007), a higher median family income, and very high increases in private dwelling values.
[edit] Infrastructure
Edson is connected to the Yellowhead Highway from east to west and to Coal Valley via Highway 47 to the south.
[edit] Media
- Newspapers
Edson has two local papers. The weekly Edson Leader and The Weekly Anchor.[3]
- Radio Stations
- FM 94.3: CFXE "The Fox" (classic hits)
[edit] Recreation
Edson is also home to the world's largest slow pitch tournament.
Popular activities in Edson include:
- Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Snowmobiling
- Cross Country Skiing
- Hiking
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Sport Fishing
- Hunting
- Golfing
- Hockey
- Slo-Pitch
- Swimming
- Ultimate Frisbee
[edit] 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)
[edit] References
- ^ Town of Edson. Town Council. Retrieved on 2007-06-22.
- ^ a b Statistics Canada (Census 2006). Edson - Community Profile. Retrieved on 2007-06-11.
- ^ The Weekly Anchor
[edit] External links
- Town of Edson (Official website)
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Grande Prairie | Fox Creek | Whitecourt |
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| Hinton |  |
Evansburg | |||||
 Edson  |
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| Cadomin | Nordegg | Drayton Valley |
