Edson, Alberta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Town of Edson | |
|---|---|
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| Area | 29.54 km² |
| Population | 8,098 (2006) |
| Population density | 274.1 /km² |
| Location | |
| Altitude | 925 m |
| 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 |
[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 (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
According to the 2006 census:
- Population: 8,098 ; 7,585 (2001) , 8,365 (2005)
- Land area: 29.54 km²
- Population change (2001-2006): 6.8 %
[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 2006), 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) owned by NewCap Broadcasting and is the hub office of 8 other radio stations in North Western Alberta. This includes CKBA Athabasca, CFOK Westlock, CFXW Whitecourt, CHSL Slave Lake, CKVH High Prairie, CFXH Hinton, CFXP Jasper, CFXG Grande Cache. www.thefoxradio.ca. CFXE was approved for FM approval in the spring of 2007 with the expected flip to happen by the end of summer 2007.
[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 Junior Senior Catholic High School (7-12)
- Vanier Community Catholic School (K-6)
Private
- Yellowhead Koinonia Christian School (K-12)
[edit] External link
 Subdivisions of Alberta |
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|---|---|
| Census divisions | 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 |
| Regions | Calgary Region · Edmonton Capital Region · Calgary-Edmonton Corridor · Central Alberta · Northern Alberta · Southern Alberta |
| Cities | Airdrie · Brooks · Calgary · Camrose · Cold Lake · Edmonton · Fort Saskatchewan · Grande Prairie · Leduc · Lethbridge · Lloydminster · Medicine Hat · Red Deer · Spruce Grove · St. Albert · Wetaskiwin |
| Communities | Counties and municipal districts · Towns · Villages · Hamlets · Indian reserves · Métis |
| Other | School districts · Regional Health Authorities |
