Pincher Creek
Pincher Creek | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Town of Pincher Creek | |
 | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Alberta |
| Region | Southern Alberta |
| Census division | 3 |
| Municipal district | M.D. of Pincher Creek No. 9 |
| Incorporated | 1906 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ernie Olsen |
| • Governing body | Pincher Creek Town Council |
| Area (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 10.19 km2 (3.93 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,030 m (3,380 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 3,685 |
| • Density | 361.6/km2 (937/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Postal code | |
| Area code | 403 |
| Highways | Highway 3 Highway 6 Highway 507 |
| Waterways | Oldman River Reservoir |
| Website | www |
Pincher Creek is a town in the southwest of Alberta, Canada. It is located immediately east of the Canadian Rockies, 101 km (63 mi) west of Lethbridge and 210 km (130 mi) south of Calgary.
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.
Geography
Climate
Strong Chinook winds often blow off the mountains and Pincher Creek can be very windy. The strongest recorded wind was 177 kilometres 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
Demographics
In the 2011 Census, the Town of Pincher Creek had a population of 3,685 living in 1,500 of its 1,581 total dwellings, a 1.7% change from its 2006 population of 3,625. With a land area of 10.19 km2 (3.93 sq mi), it had a population density of 361.63/km2 (936.6/sq mi) in 2011.[1]
The population of the Town of Pincher Creek according to its 2008 municipal census is 3,712.[2]
In 2006, Pincher Creek had a population of 3,625 living in 1,504 dwellings, a 1.1% decrease from 2001. The town has a land area of 8.84 km2 (3.41 sq mi) and a population density of 410.2/km2 (1,062/sq mi).[3]
Attractions
Pincher Creek is located 57 km (35 mi) north of Waterton Lakes National Park. The Castle Mountain Ski Resort is located 49 km (30 mi) to the southwest.
Government
The town's mayor is Ernie Olsen.
Notable residents
- Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
- Andy Russell, author and conservationist
- Gordon Walter Semenoff, theoretical physicist
- Darcy Wakaluk, former professional hockey player
- Warren Winkler, Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Appeal
- White Bird, Nez Perce leader
See also
References
- ^ 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 Municipal Affairs (2009-09-15). "Alberta 2009 Official Population List" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-09-14.
- ^ Statistics Canada (Census 2006). "Pincher Creek - Community Profile". Retrieved 2007-06-12.
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External links
Places adjacent to Pincher Creek | |
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