Edson, Alberta

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Town of Edson
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settlement_type = Town
motto = Heart of the Yellowhead


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dot_map_caption = Location of Edson in Alberta
dot_x =50 |dot_y =135
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = AB
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Central Alberta
subdivision_type3 = Census division
subdivision_name3 = 14
subdivision_type4 = County
subdivision_name4 = Yellowhead
government_footnotes = [Cite web| url= http://www.townofedson.ca/municipal/edson/edson-website.nsf/AllDoc/63D54577C92D81E987256EF2006EEE0B?OpenDocument | title= Town Council | author= Town of Edson | accessdate= 2007-06-22]
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Greg Pasychny
leader_title1 = Governing body
leader_name1 = Edson Town Council
leader_title2 = MP
leader_name2 = Rob Merrifield (Cons - Yellowhead)
leader_title3 = MLA
leader_name3 = Robin Campbell (PC - West Yellowhead)
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established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1911
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area_total_km2 = 29.54
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population_as_of = 2006
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population_total = 8098
population_density_km2 = 274.1
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timezone = MST
utc_offset = -7
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latd=53 |latm=34 |lats=54 |latNS= N
longd= 116|longm=26 |longs=04 |longEW=W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 925
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postal_code_type = Postal code span
postal_code = T7E
area_code = +1-780
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website = [http://www.townofedson.ca Town of Edson]
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Edson is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada. It is located in Yellowhead County, km to mi|207|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=yes west of Edmonton, at the intersection of Yellowhead Highway and Highway 47.

History

The town 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 first level spot after Wolf Creek, where the land was quickly bought up after the announcement of plans to develop a town there rendering it uneconomical for the railway. 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 120) 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 Highway carries some of the heaviest traffic flow in Alberta and has been officially declared 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.

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).

Demographics

In 2006, Edson had a population of 8,098 living in 3,230 dwellings, a 6.8% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of km2 to mi2|29.54|abbr=yes|wiki=yes and a population density of Pop density km2 to mi2|274.1|abbr=yes|wiki=yes.Cite web| url= http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4814024&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=Edson&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=&GeoCode=4814024 | title= Edson - Community Profile | author= Statistics Canada| authorlink= Statistics Canada| year= Census 2006 | accessdate= 2007-06-11]

Economy

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 8,500 as of early 2008), a higher median family income, and very high increases in private dwelling values.

Infrastructure

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

Media

;NewspapersEdson has two local papers. The weekly "Edson Leader" and "The Weekly Anchor". [ [http://www.weeklyanchor.com/ The Weekly Anchor] ]

;Radio Stations
* FM 94.3: CFXE "The Fox" (classic hits)

Recreation

Edson is home to Canada's largest slo-pitch tournament. [ [http://cgi.bowesonline.com/pedro.php?id=16&x=story&xid=412834 Kin Slo-pitch revs up this weekend] ]

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)
* École 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)

References

External links

* [http://www.townofedson.ca/ Town of Edson] (Official website)

Geographic Location (8-way)
Centre = Edson
North =

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