Edson, Alberta

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Town of Edson
Location of Edson within census division number 14 in Alberta, Canada
Area	26.33 km²
Population	8,365 (2005)
Pop'n density	318 /km²
Location	53°34′50.4″N, 116°26′04.4″W
Altitude	925 metres
Incorporation	1911
Province	Alberta
Census Division	14
MP	Rob Merrifield (Cons - Yellowhead)
MLA	Ivan Strang (PC - West Yellowhead)
Mayor	Greg Pasychny
Governing Body	Edson Town Council
Time zone	MST (UTC-7)
Postal code	T7E
Area Code	+1-780
Town of Edson

Edson is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada. It is located in Yellowhead County, 207 km west of Edmonton, at the intersection of Yellowhead Highway and Highway 47.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Employment & Industry 5 Infrastructure 5.1 Highways 6 Media 6.1 Newspapers 6.2 Radio Stations 7 Recreation 8 Education 9 External link

[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 only level spot between Edmonton and Hinton. When Edson was declared the local rail centre, smaller towns such as Rosevear (abandoned), Wolf Creek (current population about 12), Carrot Creek (population about 20) and Niton Junction (population about 100) fell into a decline that continues today. In the 1950's, 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 1970's a revitalized coal industry saw the Cardinal River Coal and Luscar Sterco mines launched in the area. The 1980's 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

According to the 2001 census:

• Population: 7,585 (7,399 in 1996); 8,365 (2005)
• Land area: 29.54 km²
• Median family income: $60,672
• Average value of private dwelling: $112,334

[edit] Employment & Industry

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 2005), a higher median family income, and very high increases in private dwelling values.

[edit] Infrastructure

[edit] Highways

Edson is connected to the Yellowhead Highway from east to west and to Coal Valley via Highway 47 to the south.

[edit] Media

[edit] Newspapers

Edson has two local papers. The weekly Edson Leader and The Weekly Anchor

[edit] Radio Stations

• AM 970: CFXE "The Fox" (classic hits)

[edit] Recreation

Edson is also home to Canada's largest slow pitch tournament.

Popular activities in Edson include:

• Camping
• Boating
• Fishing
• Snowmobiling
• Cross Country Skiing
• Hiking
• Canoeing/Kayaking
• Sport Fishing
• Hunting

[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)
• Pine Grove Middle School (6-8 English, French)
• Westhaven Elementary School (K-5 English, French)

Living Waters Catholic Regional Division No. 42

• Holy Redeemer Catholic Junior Senior High School (7-12)
• Vanier Community Catholic School (K-6)

Private

• Yellowhead Koinonia Christian School (K-12)

[edit] External link

• Official town website

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