Drumheller
Drumheller | |
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Town | |
| Town of Drumheller | |
 The view out of "World's Largest Dinosaur" across Drumheller | |
 Flag | |
| Nickname: Dinosaur Capital of the World[1] | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Alberta |
| Region | Southern Alberta |
| Census division | 5 |
| Founded | 1912 |
| • Village • Town • City • Town | May 15, 1913 March 2, 1916 April 3, 1930 January 1, 1998 |
| Amagamation[2] | January 1, 1998 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Terry Yemen |
| • Governing body | Drumheller Town Council
|
| • CAO | Ray Romanetz |
| • MP | Kevin Sorenson (Crowfoot) |
| • MLA | Rick Strankman (Drumheller-Stettler) |
| Area (2011)[4] | |
• Total | 107.93 km2 (41.67 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 670 m (2,200 ft) |
| Population (2011)[4] | |
• Total | 8,029 |
| • Density | 74.4/km2 (193/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| Postal code span | |
| Area code | +1-403 |
| Website | Official municipal site |
Drumheller (/[invalid input: 'icon']drʌmˈhɛlər/) is a town (formerly a city) within the Red Deer River valley in the badlands of east-central Alberta, Canada. It is located 110 kilometres (68 mi) northeast of Calgary. The Drumheller portion of the Red Deer River valley, often referred to as Dinosaur Valley, has an approximate width of 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) and an approximate length of 28 kilometres (17 mi).
History
The town is named for Colonel Samuel Drumheller, who bought land in 1910 and started coal mining operations here in 1911.[5] Drumheller became a railway station in 1912.[5] It then incorporated as a village on May 15, 1913, a town on March 2, 1916 and a city on April 3, 1930.[2] Over a 15-year period, Drumheller's population increased 857% from 312 in 1916[6] to 2,987 in 1931[7] shortly after becoming a city. Once Western Canada's largest coal producer,[citation needed] Drumheller now contributes to Alberta's energy sector and is home to Alberta's second largest natural gas deposit, the West Drumheller Field.[citation needed]
To benefit from provincial and federal grants,[citation needed] the City of Drumheller dropped its city status in favour of town status when it amalgamated with the Municipal District (M.D.) of Badlands No. 7 on January 1, 1998.[8] As a result of the amalgamation, Drumheller became Alberta’s largest town in terms of area at 111 square kilometres (43 sq mi).
The 1998 amalgamation with the M.D. of Badlands No. 7 resulted in Drumheller absorbing seven unincorporated communities that were previously under the jurisdiction of the M.D. – Aerial, Cambria, East Coulee, Lehigh, Nacmine, Rosedale and Wayne. Drumheller also previously absorbed the sizeable communities of Midlandvale, Newcastle and North Drumheller during annexations while under city status. Eladesor, Kneehill, Rosedale Station, Western Monarch (Atlas)[9] and Willow Creek are numerous other localities within Drumheller[10] that were absorbed through past annexations or its eventual amalgamation with the M.D. of Badlands No. 7.
In total, Drumheller has absorbed at least 13 other communities in its history, some of which are now recognized as neighbourhoods or districts within the town.[11]
Drumheller has been the filming location for more than 50 commercials, television and cinematic productions including Running Brave, MythQuest, Unforgiven, ABC's miniseries Dreamkeeper and TNT's miniseries Into the West.
Geography
Climate
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Demographics
In the 2011 Census, the Town of Drumheller had a population of 8,029 living in 3,182 of its 3,418 total dwellings, a 1.2% change from its 2006 population of 7,932. With a land area of 107.93 km2 (41.67 sq mi), it had a population density of 74.391/km2 (192.671/sq mi) in 2011.[4]
According to the Canada 2006 Census:[13]
| Population: | 7,932 |
| Land area: | 110.80 square kilometres (42.78 sq mi) |
| Population density: | 73.5 people/km² (190.4/sq mi) |
| Median age: | 39.7 (males: 37.0, females: 43.1) |
| Total private dwellings: | 3,244 |
| Mean household income: | $56,029 |
Attractions
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South of the traffic bridge over the Red Deer river on Highway 9 is the World's Largest Dinosaur, a 26.2 metres (86 ft) high fiberglass Tyrannosaurus rex that can be entered for a view of the Badlands, including the adjacent 23 metre (75 ft) water fountain, again one of the largest in Canada. Tourist attractions also include the Star Mine Suspension Bridge, Atlas Coal Mine, Drumheller Valley Ski Hill, Reptile World, Canadian Badlands Passion Play, Horseshoe Canyon, Water Spray Park, Aquaplex with indoor and outdoor pools, Horse Thief Canyon, hoodoos, Midland Provincial Park, Rosedeer Hotel in Wayne, 27 kilometres (17 mi) of constructed pathways, Bleriot Ferry, East Coulee School Museum, Homestead Museum, Reptile World (the largest display of reptiles in Western Canada) and Little Church which is capable of seating only six patrons. Fossil World Dinosaur Discovery Centre includes such activities as digging for fossils, mining for minerals and rock wall climbing.
Next to Drumheller ski hill is the Canadian Badlands Passion Play site, where, for two weeks each July, performances are held. Companies are composed of actors from all over Alberta. The site also offers small plays throughout the summer and an interpretive centre.
Royal Tyrrell Museum
The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology is a museum that hosts Canada's largest collection of dinosaur fossils. It boasts 375,000 visitors a year, the largest of all provincial museum attractions. It opened on September 25, 1985. The Royal Tyrrell Museum is located in the northwest quadrant of the Town of Drumheller, in Midland Provincial Park.
Media
Newspapers
Newspapers covering Drumheller include the weekly Drumheller Mail, which has been publishing every Wednesday since 1911 and has been owned by the Sheddy family since 1954.
Radio
- AM 910: CKDQ, country music
- FM 91.3: CKUA-FM-13, public broadcasting (relay)
- FM 94.5: CHTR-FM, tourist information
- FM 99.5: CHOO-FM, adult contemporary
Television
All stations are analogue relays of stations from Calgary.
- Channel 8: CICT-TV-1 (Global)
- Channel 10: CFCN-TV-6 (CTV) (city grade)
- Channel 12: CFCN-TV-1 (CTV) (from Delia)
See also
References
- ^ "The Dinosaur Capital of the World". traveldrumheller.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Municipal Profile – Town of Drumheller". Alberta Municipal Affairs. March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
- ^ Alberta Municipal Affairs: Municipal Officials Search
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b The Canadian Encyclopedia. "Drumheller". Retrieved 2009-10-13.
- ^ "Table I: Population of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta by Districts, Townships, Cities, Towns, and Incorporated Villages in 1916, 1911, 1906, and 1901". Census of Prairie Provinces, 1916. Vol. Population and Agriculture. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1918. p. 77-140.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ "Table 12: Population of Canada by provinces, counties or census divisions and subdivisions, 1871-1931". Census of Canada, 1931. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1932. p. 98-102.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Alberta Municipal Affairs Town of Drumheller – Location and History Profile
- ^ "The Alberta Gazette (Board Order No. 20515)" (PDF). Local Authorities Board. 1992-12-31. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
- ^ StatCan. "Drumheller, geographical codes and localities". Retrieved 2009-10-13.
- ^ Town of Drumheller. "Town of Drumheller maps" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-03-20.
- ^ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Drumheller, Alberta, Canada". Weatherbase.com. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
- ^ "2006 Community Profiles: Drumheller, Alberta". Statistics Canada. March 13, 2007.
External links
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