Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
Encyclopedia
Rocky Mountain House is a town
in west-central Alberta
, Canada
, approximately 77 km (47.8 mi) west of the City of Red Deer
. It is located at the confluence of the Clearwater
and North Saskatchewan River
s, and at the crossroads of Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail) and Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway).
and the North West Company
each established the Rocky Mountain House and Acton House fur trading
posts. Trade with the local aboriginal peoples
continued until 1821 when the companies merged, they continued to trade until 1875 (Parks Canada) and closed the Rocky Mountain House post. The name of the settlement however remained.
The Rocky Mountain House settlement also served as a launching point for many explorers such as David Thompson
, in search for a passage west to the Pacific Ocean
. Many travellers used this location as a stop on their way further west or northwest, just as they do into the 21st century.
The next wave of adventurers entered the region at the beginning of the 20th century in search of opportunities presented by lush farmland and the abundance of natural resources. Rocky Mountain House became a firmly established town by 1912. Settlers of Scandinavian origin made up a significant part of early 20th century settlement in the region.
In 2006, Rocky Mountain House had a population of 6,874 living in 2,719 dwellings
, a 10.7% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of 12.44 km² (4.8 sq mi) and a population density
of 552.6 /km2.
, agriculture
, and forestry
. Tourism also plays a role in its economy due to its location at the crossroads of Highway 22 and Highway 11, and its location midway between Red Deer and the scenic Alberta's Rockies
region.
stronghold. From 1935 to 1971, the Social Credit Party
's Alf Hooke held this seat and support for that party is still strong- the party's leader Lavern Ahlstrom
has polled well in the last two elections, far above his party's average.
(Köppen climate classification
Dfc) that borders on a humid continental climate
(Köppen Dfb).
Other amenities include a swimming pool, an ice surface, tennis courts and skatepark.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in west-central Alberta
Central Alberta
Central Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Central Alberta is the most densely populated rural area in the province...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, approximately 77 km (47.8 mi) west of the City of Red Deer
Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills...
. It is located at the confluence of the Clearwater
Clearwater River, Alberta
Clearwater is a river of southern Alberta, Canada. Situated entirely in the Canadian Rockies and the Rocky Mountain foothills of Alberta, it is a glacier fed upper reach tributary of the North Saskatchewan River...
and North Saskatchewan River
North Saskatchewan River
The North Saskatchewan River is a glacier-fed river that flows east from the Canadian Rockies to central Saskatchewan. It is one of two major rivers that join to make up the Saskatchewan River....
s, and at the crossroads of Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail) and Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway).
History
The town has a long history dating to the 18th century with the presence of British and Canadian fur traders during the westward Canadian expansion. In 1799 the Hudson's Bay CompanyHudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
and the North West Company
North West Company
The North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in Montreal from 1779 to 1821. It competed with increasing success against the Hudson's Bay Company in what was to become Western Canada...
each established the Rocky Mountain House and Acton House fur trading
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
posts. Trade with the local aboriginal peoples
First Nations in Alberta
First Nations in Alberta constitute several dozen nations. Reserves of these First Nations were established in Alberta by a series of treaties, Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8....
continued until 1821 when the companies merged, they continued to trade until 1875 (Parks Canada) and closed the Rocky Mountain House post. The name of the settlement however remained.
The Rocky Mountain House settlement also served as a launching point for many explorers such as David Thompson
David Thompson (explorer)
David Thompson was an English-Canadian fur trader, surveyor, and map-maker, known to some native peoples as "Koo-Koo-Sint" or "the Stargazer"...
, in search for a passage west to the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. Many travellers used this location as a stop on their way further west or northwest, just as they do into the 21st century.
The next wave of adventurers entered the region at the beginning of the 20th century in search of opportunities presented by lush farmland and the abundance of natural resources. Rocky Mountain House became a firmly established town by 1912. Settlers of Scandinavian origin made up a significant part of early 20th century settlement in the region.
Demographics
The population of the Town of Rocky Mountain House according to its 2007 municipal census is 7,231.In 2006, Rocky Mountain House had a population of 6,874 living in 2,719 dwellings
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
, a 10.7% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of 12.44 km² (4.8 sq mi) and a population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 552.6 /km2.
Economy
The economy of the Rocky Mountain House area is driven by petroleumPetroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
, agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, and forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
. Tourism also plays a role in its economy due to its location at the crossroads of Highway 22 and Highway 11, and its location midway between Red Deer and the scenic Alberta's Rockies
Alberta's Rockies
Alberta's Rockies comprises the Canadian Rockies in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is a region on the southwestern part of the province, along the British Columbia border. It covers all but the south of Census Division 15....
region.
Politics
Like much of rural Alberta, Rocky Mountain House is a Progressive ConservativeProgressive Conservative Association of Alberta
The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta is a provincial centre-right party in the Canadian province of Alberta...
stronghold. From 1935 to 1971, the Social Credit Party
Social Credit Party of Alberta
The Alberta Social Credit Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada, that was founded on the social credit monetary policy and conservative Christian social values....
's Alf Hooke held this seat and support for that party is still strong- the party's leader Lavern Ahlstrom
Lavern Ahlstrom
Lavern Ahlstrom is a retired provincial level politician and former leader of the Alberta Social Credit Party.-Political career:Ahlstrom first became involved with Social Credit in the 1970s. He has been a perennial candidate for the party with some moderately successful showings during his career...
has polled well in the last two elections, far above his party's average.
Town council
The town council of Rocky Mountain House consists of Mayor Fred Nash, Councillor Sandy Anderson, Councillor Sheila Mizera, Councillor Randy Saler, Councillor Ernie Murias, Councillor Bill Symko, and Councillor Donald Verhessen.Climate
Rocky Mountain House has a subarctic climateSubarctic climate
The subarctic climate is a climate characterized by long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers. It is found on large landmasses, away from the moderating effects of an ocean, generally at latitudes from 50° to 70°N poleward of the humid continental climates...
(Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Dfc) that borders on a humid continental climate
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
(Köppen Dfb).
Recreation
The Recreation, Parks & Community Services Department hosts five annual tournaments. They include two slo-pitch, a sno-pitch, a volleyball and a hockey/slo-pitch combined tournament.Other amenities include a swimming pool, an ice surface, tennis courts and skatepark.
See also
- List of communities in Alberta
- List of towns in Alberta
- 1996 Rocky Mountain House earthquake1996 Rocky Mountain House earthquakeThe 1996 Rocky Mountain House earthquake was a magnitude 3.8 earthquake that struck the nearby community of Rocky Mountain House on October 19, 1996. It was strongly felt southwest of Rocky Mountain House close to the Strachan gas plant. Even though the earthquake reached V-IV on the Mercalli...