Duhamel, Alberta

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Duhamel is a small rural hamlet located in the central prairies of Alberta, Canada. It is located on Highway 21, at 52°55′N 112°58′W, approximately 100 km SSE of Edmonton and 20 km SW of Camrose, the closest major trading center.

Although Duhamel has a population under 100, it has a long history in the development of Alberta.

[edit] Early history

The early trading post of Duhamel was situated 2-3 miles northwest of the current site, directly on the main local fording of the Battle River. Around 1886 the post was moved to the site where Highway 21 now crosses the river (52°57′N 112°58′W). The trading post was a key point for exchange between the First Nations people, the fur traders, and the Hudson's Bay Company.

In 1910 the town was moved to its present location on the newly constructed Grand Trunk Pacific rail line from Tofield to Calgary. The Duhamel/Battle River rail bridge was one of the largest wooden rail bridges ever constructed, at 3,972 feet (1210m) in length and a height of 120 feet (32m).

[edit] Geography

Nearby communities include:

• New Norway
• Ferintosh
• Camrose
• Bittern Lake

[edit] References

Memory Opens the Door (New Norway and District 1972) - local history book, no ISBN