Edson and Area Visitor Guide

Recommendations

Info

THE EARLY YEARS Edson was born of the railway, during the height of transcontinental rail construction heading toward BC. The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTP) was ferrying hundreds of railway workers west and, initially, it looked as if Wolf Creek would be the established divisional point. However, Wolf Creek fell victim to real estate speculators and the GTP refused to pay the overinflated prices. Instead, they moved the divisional point eight miles west, to the home of modern day Edson. Edson received its first passenger train on August 10,1910 and in 1911, the people of Edson placed a request to the Post Master General to have the post office renamed from Heatherwood — a name it had carried for about a year — to Edson, in honour of Edson J. Chamberlain, the then general manager of the Grand Trunk Pacific Rail. On September 21, 1911, Edson was officially incorporated as a town and by 1912, the population had nearly tripled to a staggering 1,233 people and 32 local businesses. In the spring of 1913, a fire claimed the wholesale liquor store building and another fire consumed the Old Edson Hall. It was a night of destruction that demolished much of Edson’s ‘red light’ district. That fire and a later riot would prompt the hiring of the Royal North West Mounted Police to patrol the streets and bring order back to the community. With law and order in place, families came to settle the area, encouraged that they would be safe and protected from the lawlessness following the rail construction. By 1920, the town had power, water, sewer systems and a telephone switch board. Soon, there was a dentist, long distance service and improvements made to the postal service, along with better roadways in and out of Edson. These economic foundations stayed strong throughout Edson’s history and were augmented by an extended forestry industry, trap lines, oil and gas development, coal developments to the south, and dynamic small businesses that continue to flourish in Edson. For all its prosperity, however, Edson also became a hotbed for unlawful activities that followed many frontier towns. 4 www.gallowaystationmuseum.com
Galloway Station Museum & Travel Centre The perfect halfway stop between Edmonton and Jasper Our Travel Centre provides plenty of information for the curious traveller, has knowledgeable staff, an Internet Kiosk, free Wi-Fi, a coffee bar and a gift shop featuring unique local art. Open year round! Summer Hours: Open 7 days a week from 9 am to 7 pm (May long weekend to September long weekend) Fall/Winter Hours: 10 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday The Galloway Station Museum More than 100 years ago idealistic pioneers of all descriptions — from bootleggers, trappers, miners & tie hackers, to railroaders and businessmen carved a home in Edson out of what was little more than a firm place in the muskeg. The Galloway offers a tantalizing glimpse into our region’s natural world and the pioneer life. Galloway Station Museum & Travel Centre 223 - 55th Street Edson www.gallowaystationmuseum.com 780.723.5696 An ideal place to take a break, stretch your legs & relax for a few moments ... or a few hours. www.gallowaystationmuseum.com 5
Page 1 and 2: EDSON & AREA VISITOR GUIDE The Hear
Page 3 and 4: INSIDE Heart of the Yellowhead.....
Page 5: DISCOVER EDSON Edson is a thriving
Page 9 and 10: Photo by Julian Buchwald docphoto.z
Page 11 and 12: AROUND EDSON Month Date Event Conta
Page 13 and 14: Sunday, June 21, 2015 Rockin’ in
Page 15 and 16: MOVING TO THE AREA? MEDICAL/EMERGEN
Page 17 and 18: CULTURE DAYS Alberta Culture Days i
Page 19 and 20: EDSON & AREA SPORTS Whether you use
Page 21 and 22: DINING OUT Type Restaurant Contact
Page 23 and 24: SLO-PITCH CAPITAL OF CANADA The pop
Page 25 and 26: Hotel/ Motel Lakeview Inn & Suites
Page 27 and 28: www.gallowaystationmuseum.com 25
Page 29 and 30: n COMMUNITY SPACES Area Name Addres
Page 31 and 32: HILLBILLY DEMOLITION DERBY & MUDBOG
Page 33 and 34: Type Name Address Contact Details F
Page 35 and 36: FROM THE YELLOWHEAD COUNTY MAYOR We
Page 37 and 38: AREA FISHING Name Location Fish Typ
Page 39 and 40: AREA CAMPING Campground Nojack Park
Page 41 and 42: FUN IN THE SUN Peers Gold Dust Daze
Page 43 and 44: PARKS IN THE YELLOWHEAD Shining Ban
Page 45 and 46: UNIQUE SITES Rosevear Ferry The Ros
Page 47 and 48: WILLMORE PARK You’ll find a piece
Page 49 and 50: WINTER WONDERLAND Edson Sno-Seekers
Page 51 and 52: Yellowhead County Well worth the st

Edson and Area Visitor Guide

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?