Rocky Mountain House

Rocky Mountain House
Town
Town of Rocky Mountain House

Coat of arms
Rocky Mountain House

Location of Rocky Mountain House in Alberta

Coordinates: 52°22′31″N 114°55′18″W / 52.37528°N 114.92167°W / 52.37528; -114.92167Coordinates: 52°22′31″N 114°55′18″W / 52.37528°N 114.92167°W / 52.37528; -114.92167
Country  Canada
Province  Alberta
Region Central Alberta
Census division 9
Municipal district Clearwater County
Founded 1799
Incorporated 1912 (Town)
Government[1]
  Mayor Fred Nash
  Governing body Rocky Mountain House Town Council
  MP Jim Eglinski
  MLA Jason Nixon
Area (2011)[2]
  Total 12.99 km2 (5.02 sq mi)
Elevation[3] 985 m (3,232 ft)
Population (2011)[2]
  Total 6,933
  Density 533.6/km2 (1,382/sq mi)
Time zone MST (UTC−7)
  Summer (DST) MDT (UTC−6)
Postal code span T4T
Area code(s) 403 / 587
Highways Hwy 11
Hwy 11A
Hwy 22
Hwy 598
Hwy 752
Waterways North Saskatchewan River, Clearwater River
Website Official website

Rocky Mountain House is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada located approximately 77 km (48 mi) west of the City of Red Deer at the confluence of the Clearwater and North Saskatchewan Rivers, and at the crossroads of Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail) and Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway). The surrounding Clearwater County's administration office is located in Rocky Mountain House.[4]

History

Rocky Mountain Fort in 1848 by Paul Kane
Ruins of Rocky Mountain House in 1884 (photo by James Williams Tyrrell)

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 Company 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 and closed the Rocky Mountain House post. The name of the settlement however remained.[5]

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.[5]

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.

Fur trade

Rocky Mountain House and Acton House were a pair of fur trade posts from 1799 to 1876. Rocky Mountain House belonged to the North West Company (NWC) and Acton House to the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). When the two companies merged in 1821, the name Rocky Mountain House was retained. The posts were opened and closed seven times.[6]

Rocky Mountain House was the westernmost post on the North Saskatchewan and was within sight of the Rocky Mountains. The fort facilitated trade with the Blackfeet and Piegans as well as the Kootenays across the mountains. The Kootenays were prevented from reaching Fort Edmonton by the Blackfeet and Piegans who wanted to profit as middlemen and keep them from getting guns. The fort also served as a base for finding a pass across the Rocky Mountains. The post also produced pemmican and York boats.[6]

The posts were built at the confluence of the Clearwater River and the North Saskatchewan River. They were on the north bank just above the Clearwater and strongly built for protection from the Blackfeet. During low water there were rapids near the post. Around 1980, only two stone chimneys were standing. An interpretive centre was subsequently developed at this location.[6]

Timeline

Geography

The North Saskatchewan River borders Rocky Mountain House to the west where the Clearwater River flows into the North Saskatchewan River.

Crimson Lake is a lake approximately 17 km (11 mi) northwest of town. Crimson Lake is home to Crimson Lake Provincial Park.[8]

Climate

Rocky Mountain House has a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc) that borders on a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb). Daytime temperatures are in general representative for the latter, but the larger diurnal temperature variation with the high elevation ensures frequent frosts. The January average high of around −4 °C (25 °F) is actually much milder than clear continental areas further east in Canada on similar and lower parallels.

Demographics

The Town of Rocky Mountain House's 2012 municipal census counted a population of 7,300,[10] a 1.0% increase over its 2007 municipal census population of 7,231.[11]

In the 2011 Census, the Town of Rocky Mountain House had a population of 6,933 living in 2,651 of its 2800 total dwellings, a 0.9% change from its 2006 population of 6,874. With a land area of 12.99 km2 (5.02 sq mi), it had a population density of 533.7/km2 (1,382.3/sq mi) in 2011.[2]

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 (4.80 sq mi) and a population density of 552.6/km2 (1,431/sq mi).[12]

Economy

The economy of the Rocky Mountain House area is driven by petroleum, agriculture, and forestry.[13] Tourism also plays a role in its economy[13] 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.

Transportation

On the road, Rocky Mountain House is served by Highway 22 and Highway 11.

In the air, Rocky Mountain House is served by its airport.

Sports

The Recreation, Parks & Community Services Department hosts five annual sports tournaments. They include two slo-pitch, a sno-pitch, a volleyball and a hockey/slo-pitch combined tournament.

Government

Rocky Mountain House's town council consists of Mayor Fred Nash and councillors Tammy Burke, Randall Sugden, William Symko, Manfred Ullmann, Donald Verhesen, and a vacancy.[1]

Rocky Mountain House is located within the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre provincial electoral district, which is represented by Joe Anglin of the Wildrose Party.

Twin town

Rocky Mountain House is twinned with Kamikawa, Hokkaido, Japan.[14]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. 2016-04-15. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
  2. 1 2 3 "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.
  3. "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 9, 2013.
  4. "Contact Directory". Clearwater County. Retrieved 2012-05-21.
  5. 1 2 "Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site of Canada". Canada's Historic Places. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Elizabeth Losey (1999). Let Them be Remembered: The Story of the Fur Trade Forts. pp. 250–261.
  7. Rocky Mountain House Reunion Historical Society (1977). Days Before Yesterday : History of Rocky Mountain House district. Rocky Mountain House: Rocky Mountain House Reunion Historical Society. p. 2. ISBN 0-88925-003-0.
  8. "Crimson Lake Information and Facilities". Alberta Tourism, Parks, and Recreation. Government of Alberta. 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  9. Environment Canada - Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 4 December 2010
  10. "Council Newsletter" (PDF). Town of Rocky Mountain House. 2012-07-15. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
  11. "Alberta 2009 Official Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. 2009-09-15. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
  12. Statistics Canada. "Canada 2006 Census: Rocky Mountain House - Community Profile". Retrieved 2007-06-12.
  13. 1 2 "Rocky Mountain House (Alberta First Community Profile)". Alberta First. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
  14. "Rocky Mountain House". Alberta/Japan Twinned Municipalities Association. Retrieved 30 November 2014.

External links

Media related to Rocky Mountain House at Wikimedia Commons

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