Pincher Creek, Alberta

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Town of Pincher Creek
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settlement_type = Town
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dot_mapsize = 200px
dot_map_caption = Location of Pincher Creek in Alberta
dot_x = 88 |dot_y = 248
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = AB
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Southern Alberta
subdivision_type3 = Census division
subdivision_name3 = 3
subdivision_type4 = Municipal District
subdivision_name4 =Pincher Creek No. 9
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leader_title =Mayor
leader_name =Gary Mills
leader_title1 = Governing body
leader_name1 =Pincher Creek Town Council
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established_title = Incorporated
established_date =1906
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area_total_km2 = 8.84
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population_as_of = 2006
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population_total = 3,625
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timezone = MST
utc_offset = -7
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latd=49 |latm=29 |lats=08.3 |latNS=N
longd=113 |longm=56 |longs=53.6 |longEW=W
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elevation_m = 1030
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postal_code_type = Postal code span
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blank_name =Highways
blank_info =Highway 3
Highway 6
Highway 507
blank1_name =Waterways
blank1_info =Oldman River Reservoir
website = [http://www.pincher-creek.com Town of Pincher Creek]
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Pincher Creek is a town in the southwest of Alberta, Canada. It is located immediately east of the Canadian Rockies in the centre of ranching country, km to mi|50|abbr=yes north of Waterton Lakes National Park.

The town's mayor is Gary Mills.

History

For centuries before this area was settled, the Blackfoot, Peigan and Kootenai Nations lived in or frequented the region.

The town received its name in 1868 when a group of prospectors lost a pincer in the small creek at this location. These pincers would have been used as a mechanism for trimming the feet of the horses and thus had some value to the group. In 1874, the North West Mounted Police came to southern Alberta. One of them discovered the rusting tools in the creek, and they named the area Pincher Creek.

In 1876, the NWMP established a horse farm in the area. It closed in 1881, but many of the troops stayed to help the town. James Schofield opened Pincher Creek's first store in 1884. By 1885 Pincher Creek had a store known as Schofield & Hyde General Store. Harry Hyde succeeded Schofield as Pincher Creek's first postmaster.

In 1898, Pincher Creek was incorporated a village. In 1906, the community was officially incorporated as a town and named "Pincher Creek". Many residents are descendants of the pioneer families who settled there over 100 years ago.

The Kootenai Brown Heritage Museum is a popular tourists stop. It was named for John Kootenai Brown, a trapper who was the founder of Waterton Park. The sign at the creek tells the story of the 1995 flood in Pincher Creek.

Demographics

In 2006, Pincher Creek had a population of 3,625 living in 1,504 dwellings, a -1.1% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of km2 to mi2|8.84|abbr=yes|wiki=yes and a population density of Pop density km2 to mi2|410.2| spell=UK | abbr=yes.Cite web| url= http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4803014&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=Pincher%20Creek&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=&GeoCode=4803014 | title= Pincher Creek - Community Profile | author= Statistics Canada| authorlink= Statistics Canada| year= Census 2006 | accessdate= 2007-06-12]

Climate

Strong Chinook winds often blow off the mountains and Pincher Creek can be very windy. The strongest recorded wind was 177 kilometers per hour. The strong winds have given rise to a significant amount of wind farm development in the area, with the towers and blades of wind turbines being a characteristic of the scenery.

The town was severely affected by a flood that hit the area in 1995 as the peak stream flow discharge was 271 cubic meters per second

Notable residents

Chief Justice of Canada Beverley McLachlin was born in Pincher Creek, as was Stuart McDowall, Canadian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Warren Winkler, the Chief Justice of Ontario, grew up in Pincher Creek. Professional ice hockey goaltender Darcy Wakaluk was born in Pincher Creek in 1966. Blue Summer no longer lives here.

Area

As mentioned before, Pincher Creek is in a prime tourist and recreational area. It is only half an hour north of Waterton Lakes National Park, and just an hour north of the Alberta Montana border, making the drive to the United States shorter than a lot of other routes. Also near Pincher Creek is Castle Mountain Ski Resort, just thirty minutes west. An hour to the east is Lethbridge and Calgary is only two hours to the north. Pincher Creek is about a four hour drive from the Saskatchewan border, and only a forty-five minute drive to the British Columbia border. Also is Andy Russell who was a famed conservationalist.

ee also

*Towns of Alberta

References

External links

* [http://www.pincher-creek.com Town of Pincher Creek] (Official Website)

Geographic Location (8-way)
Centre = Pincher Creek
North =

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