Drumheller

For the retired CIA agent, see Tyler Drumheller.
Drumheller
Town
Town of Drumheller

The view out of "World's Largest Dinosaur" across Drumheller

Flag
Nickname(s): Dinosaur Capital of the World[1]
Drumheller

Location of Drumheller in Alberta

Coordinates: 51°27′49″N 112°43′10″W / 51.46361°N 112.71944°W / 51.46361; -112.71944
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
Amalgamation[2] January 1, 1998
Government[3]
 • Mayor Terry Yemen
 • Governing body
 • CAO Ray Romanetz
 • MP Kevin Sorenson (Crowfoot)
 • MLA Rick Strankman (Drumheller-Stettler)
Area (2011)[4]
 • Total 107.93 km2 (41.67 sq mi)
Elevation[5] 670 m (2,200 ft)
Population (2011)[4]
 • Total 8,029
 • Density 74.4/km2 (193/sq mi)
Time zone MST (UTC−7)
 • Summer (DST) MDT (UTC−6)
Postal code span T0J
Area code(s) +1-403, +1-587
Website Official website

Drumheller /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 there in 1911.[6] Drumheller became a railway station in 1912.[6] 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[7] to 2,987 in 1931[8] shortly after becoming a city.

The City of Drumheller amalgamated with the Municipal District (MD) of Badlands No. 7 on January 1, 1998 to form the current Town of Drumheller.[9] Some of the reasons the two municipalities amalgamated included the MD of Badlands No. 7 having more in common with Drumheller than other surrounding rural municipalities and both were experiencing similar planning and development issues due to their locations within the Red Deer River valley.[10] The amalgamated municipality opted for town status rather than city status so that highways within would remain the responsibility of the Province of Alberta.[11] As a result of the amalgamation, Drumheller became Alberta’s largest town in terms of land area at 107.93 square kilometres (41.67 sq mi).[4]

The 1998 amalgamation resulted in Drumheller absorbing six hamlets that were previously under the jurisdiction of the MD of Badlands No. 7 – Cambria, East Coulee, Lehigh, Nacmine, Rosedale and Wayne.[10] Drumheller also previously absorbed the hamlets of Bankview, Midlandvale (Midland), Newcastle and North Drumheller during annexations while under city status.[10] Bankview and Midland were annexed in 1964 and 1972 respectively, while Newcastle and North Drumheller were both annexed in 1967.[10] Other localities within Drumheller, either absorbed through past annexations or its eventual amalgamation with the MD of Badlands No. 7, include Aerial, Eladesor, Kneehill, Rosedale Station, Western Monarch (Atlas)[12] and Willow Creek.[13]

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.[14]

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

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 74.4/km2 (192.7/sq mi) in 2011.[4]

According to the Canada 2006 Census:[16]

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

Hoodoos at Drumheller

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 fibreglass 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, 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 and the Little Church which is capable of seating only six patrons.

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

Albertosaurus at 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

Television

All stations are analogue relays of stations from Calgary.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Dinosaur Capital of the World". traveldrumheller.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Municipal Profile – Town of Drumheller". Alberta Municipal Affairs. March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "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.
  5. ↑ "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)" (PDF) (PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229). Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  6. 1 2 The Canadian Encyclopedia. "Drumheller". Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  7. ↑ "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. Population and Agriculture. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1918. pp. 77–140.
  8. ↑ "Table 12: Population of Canada by provinces, counties or census divisions and subdivisions, 1871-1931". Census of Canada, 1931. Ottawa: Government of Canada. 1932. pp. 98–102.
  9. ↑ "Location and History Profile: Town of Drumheller". Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Town of Drumheller Municipal Development Plan: Volume 1 Background Study" (PDF). Town of Drumheller and Palliser Regional Municipal Services. April 21, 2008. pp. 5–7. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  11. ↑ Pat Kolafa (April 22, 2011). "The original Dr. Phil". The Drumheller Mail (Drumheller Mail). Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  12. ↑ "The Alberta Gazette (Board Order No. 20515)" (PDF). Local Authorities Board. 1992-12-31. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  13. ↑ "Drumheller, geographical codes and localities". Statistics Canada. March 5, 2010. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
  14. ↑ Town of Drumheller. "Town of Drumheller maps" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-03-20.
  15. ↑ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Drumheller, Alberta, Canada". Weatherbase.com. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  16. ↑ "2006 Community Profiles: Drumheller, Alberta". Statistics Canada. March 13, 2007.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Drumheller.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Drumheller.
 Three Hills Stettler Coronation
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Strathmore Bassano Brooks

Coordinates: 51°27′49″N 112°43′10″W / 51.46361°N 112.71944°W / 51.46361; -112.71944 (Drumheller)

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