Spirit River, Alberta
| Spirit River | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
| Town of Spirit River | |
 Spirit River
|
|
| Coordinates: 55°46′46″N 118°50′11″W / 55.77944°N 118.83639°WCoordinates: 55°46′46″N 118°50′11″W / 55.77944°N 118.83639°W | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Alberta |
| Region | Northern Alberta |
| Census division | 19 |
| Municipal district | Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 |
| Government[1] | |
| • Mayor | Allan J. Georget |
| • Governing body | Spirit River Town Council |
| Area (2011)[2] | |
| • Total | 2.81 km2 (1.08 sq mi) |
| Elevation[3] | 640 m (2,100 ft) |
| Population (2011)[2] | |
| • Total | 1,025 |
| • Density | 365.4/km2 (946/sq mi) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
| Area code(s) | 1-780 |
| Highways | Highway 49 Highway 731 |
| Waterways | Spirit River Dunvegan Creek |
| Website | Official website |
Spirit River is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located 78 km (48 mi) north of Grande Prairie at the junction of Highway 49 and Highway 731. The first school opened in 1910 and the railroad arrived in 1916.[4]
Contents
Demographics[edit]
In the 2011 Census, the Town of Spirit River had a population of 1,025 living in 425 of its 471 total dwellings, a -10.7% change from its 2006 population of 1,148. With a land area of 2.81 km2 (1.08 sq mi), it had a population density of 364.8/km2 (944.7/sq mi) in 2011.[2]
In 2006, Spirit River had a:
- population of 1,148 living in 466 dwellings (a 4.4% increase from 2001),
- a land area of 2.81 km2 (1.08 sq mi), and
- a population density of 409.2/km2 (1,060/sq mi).[5]
Economy[edit]
The community is largely agricultural, being located in the fertile Peace Country. It also features an active oil and gas industry. Together with Rycroft, Spirit River services an area of approximately 10,000 people.[6]
Attractions[edit]
The town features the Richardson Pioneer Central Peace Aquatic Centre[7] and the Spirit River and District Museum.[8]
History[edit]
In 1891, a trading post became the original settlement along the banks of the Spirit River. Ranching in the area started as early as the 1840s and farming in the 1880s.[9] In 1915, to the northwest, on Section 22, the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway subdivided a townsite called Spirit River Station. The residents and storekeepers at the old settlement then moved, creating a village in 1916.[10] On February 16 of that year, the Herald Tribune reported that McRae & Co. opened a general store.[10] Spirit River was incorporated as a town in 1951.[6]
In October 2013, a pipeline inspection crew working in the Saddle Hills area southwest of Spirit River unearthed a 10-metre long dinosaur fossil.[11] It was later confirmed to be that of the duck-billed hadrosaur.[12]
The name Spirit River comes from the Cree Chepe Sepe, or Ghost River.[9]
The Town of Spirit River, along with the Municipal District of Spirit River will be celebrating its centennial anniversary in August 2016.[13]
Government[edit]
The Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133's municipal office is located in Spirit River. It is also home to the Peace-Wapiti School Board and provincial offices for Alberta Agriculture and Fish and Wildlife.
Infrastructure[edit]
- Transportation
A paved airport accommodates medical emergency flights and private aircraft.
- Recreation
The town features a curling rink, arena, outdoor pool, library, museum and community hall.
- Health care
Spirit River is home to a hospital, the Central Peace Health Complex. A new medical clinic is scheduled for completion in 2017.
Education[edit]
The town is home to two schools – Ste. Marie Catholic School[14] (elementary) and Spirit River Regional Academy[15] (K-12).
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. June 17, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
- ^ "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)" (PDF) (PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229). Retrieved October 9, 2013.
- ^ Spirit River History Book Committee (1989). Chepi sepe : Spirit River : the land, the people. p. 16. ISBN 0-88925-781-7.
- ^ Statistics Canada. "Canada 2006 Census: Spirit River - Community Profile". Retrieved 2007-06-12.
- ^ a b http://townofspiritriver.ca/
- ^ http://townofspiritriver.ca/index.php/community/community-facilities/richardson-pioneer-central-peace-aquatic-centre
- ^ "Spirit River and District Museum". Retrieved 2012-08-02.
- ^ a b http://www.mdspiritriver.ab.ca/about/history.php
- ^ a b http://www.ourroots.ca/e/page.aspx?id=3712677
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/massive-dinosaur-fossil-unearthed-by-alberta-pipeline-crew-1.1876996
- ^ http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/media/2013_Recent_Discoveries.pdf
- ^ http://townofspiritriver.ca/index.php/events/icalrepeat.detail/2016/08/05/18/-/spirit-river-centennial
- ^ http://stemarie.gpcsd.ca/
- ^ http://www.pwsd76.ab.ca/schools/srra/Pages/default.aspx
External links[edit]
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Taylor | Hines Creek | Fairview | |
| Dawson Creek Pouce Coupe |
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Rycroft | ||
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| Hythe | Sexsmith Grande Prairie |
Valleyview |
