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 Edmonton - History

Many millions of years ago the area around Edmonton was part of a huge sea. During the dinosaur era, this area was warm, and hosted not only dinosaurs but generous vegetation needed to support such huge animals. Over millions of years this vegetation died and settled on the bottom of this sea. As continents shifted, Edmonton became part of North America and the sediments were lifted well above sea level. The pressure of deep layers of rock on the decaying vegetation created the vast oil & gas reserves in Alberta today.

The last ice age which ended 10,000 years ago created a land bridge between Asia and North America. This enabled early Homo Sapiens to walk to this continent many years before whites came over from Europe by boat. Over the years, these natives dispersed across both North and South America.
Edmonton's development began in 1795 when the Hudson's Bay Company Trading Post was established. John Rowand, a fur trader for the North West Company, arrived in Edmonton in 1804, and grew to be respected by the Plains Indians and accepted as a leader, managing Edmonton's the fur trade with the Cree and Blackfoot in Edmonton for about 30 year.

Fort Edmonton became a local economic centre, becoming the major stopping point before pioneers headed up north or farther west

In the 1870s more people began to settle around Fort Edmonton, after the government offered the land to settlers at a good price. Edmonton had 700 residents in 1892, when it officially became a town. The city boomed during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897, as thousands of eager prospectors heading north, via the "All Canadian Route," stopped in Edmonton for supplies.

Many people settled in Edmonton permanently and by 1904 Edmonton had 9,000 residents. It became incorporated as a city and a year later was declared the provincial capital.

In 1912, Edmonton on the north side of the river and the town of Strathcona on the south amalgamated with a combined population over 53,000. The High Level Bridge was completed in 1913, creating another link between the north and south sides of Edmonton. The elegant Hotel Macdonald was completed in 1915.

In the 1930s, Edmonton continued to thrive as a northern business center, and an aviation shipping point for food and medical supplies using the new bush planes. In 1942, the construction of the Alaska Highway made the city became a major ground transportation and supply center to the far north. Edmonton officially became known as "Gateway to the North

Oil was discovered in the Edmonton area shortly after World War II, near Leduc just south of Edmonton. The area around Edmonton became home to most of Alberta's oil production. The oil boom gave Edmonton new status as the Oil Capital of Canada.

Since the Arab Oil Boycott of 1973, the city has grown dramatically with an area population now around 800,000. As Alberta's capital, Edmonton is home to the provincial government offices and staff. The oil refineries and oil production are the basis of many Edmonton jobs.

Edmonton's modern downtown overlooks the beautiful river valley and its parklands on both shores. Edmontonians are proud of their city and its reputation as "Canada's Festival City" with virtually non-stop summertime celebrations, which draw visitors from far and wide.

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