Altario is a hamlet in east-central Alberta, Canada within Special Area No. 4.[1][2] It is located on Highway 899 just north of Highway 12, approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) east of Kirriemuir and 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) west of Compeer.
Founded in 1919, the name came from the combination of Alberta and Ontario.[3]
In the past Altario was a large and well populated community. It had more building in the past compared to today. Many of the old buildings included the Bideford School, a C.P.R. station, livery stables, butcher shop, McLeod Hardware, Robinson Store, Beaver Lumber, Kreiser’s Garage, Jensen’s Store, the Alberta Hotel/Bar, Jake’s Store, post office, lumber yard, hospital, the church and the Altario Hall. Most of these building are gone today, however a few are still standing. Those that still stand include the Kreiser’s Garage, Jake’s Store, the hall, the school, the Alberta Hotel/Bar, post office, and the church. Those still in use include the hall and the hotel/bar. Due to the school's original small size, it has been rebuilt and called the Altario School. The post office has also been relocated to a newer building.
With Altario being a large populated community, many things were always happening. Back in the day, Altario had many clubs/sport teams and organizations.
Clubs/sports included were the basketball, volleyball, baseball, hockey, disking, badminton and track and field. Organizations include Wheatsheaf Junior U.F.A, which is an agricultural improvement association that was organized in 1927. With the surrounding hamlets of Compeer and Kirriemuir, Altario is a part of KAC. KAC stands for Kirriemuir, Altario, and Compeer.
Altario School teaches students in grades K-12, with attendance ranging between 60 and 70 students in recent years, including some students from Compeer and Kirriemuir.
Many families in and around Altario are dependent on the cattle industry and other forms of farming.
|
||||||||||||||