|
 Edson,
Alberta's Crossroads
to Adventure
by Jerry W. Bird
Once called "Gateway to the Last Great West,"Edson
got its start with the arrival of the Grande Trunk
Pacific Railroad, which served the rich Alberta
Coal Branch. The Edson Historical Society's
Galloway Station Museum is located in a former
railway depot. Artifacts from the Grande Trunk
Pacific, Canadian Northern and Canadian National
railways are on display, plus exhibits saluting the
coal mining and lumber industries. Strategically
located, Edson became the jumping-off point for
homesteaders heading up the Grande Prairie Trail to
the Peace River country. The Trans Canada
Yellowhead Highway's major upgrading efforts
brought a dramatic increase in all types of traffic
to the area, and in its wake, a healthy and growing
tourist trade. Local amenities include the Red
Brick Arts Centre, the 1913 Edson School Building,
an Art Gallery, the Hatlen Theatre, School Room
Museum and more. As the Slo-pitch Capital of
Canada, Edson's annual Kinsmen Slo-pitch Tournament
attracts contestants from far and wide. Petroleum,
coal mining and forestry continue to fuel the local
economy.
Nearby communities and
attractions include:
Rocky Mountain House
National Historic Park
(side trip). Risen from the ashes. Rocky
Mountain House original fort was razed in 1799.
Weeks later, HBC erected a rival fort. Explorer
David Thompson trekked to the Columbia River from
here in 1807 and for generations Rocky was the
Northwest's richest fur-producing area. Two stone
chimneys are the lone reminders of a series of
forts that stood on these hallowed grounds. Other
exhibits include a York boat, Red River cart and
fur press.
Entwhistle
Entwhistle's main street has a selection of
historic buildings that have been popular with
visitors. Its nearest major attractions are Pembina
River Provincial Park and the viewpoint overlooking
the Pembina River Canyon.
Yellowhead County
Less than two hours west of Edmonton,
Yellowhead Country includes the communities of
Evansburg, Wildwood, Marlboro, Peers, Cadomin,
Brule and Niton Junction. Vast in area, the county
stretches from the Pembina River's West Side to
Jasper Provincial Park gates. This is one of
central Alberta's key tourist destinations en route
to the Rockies. Visitors will enjoy water sports
and well-maintained beaches at Bear Lake,
Shiningbank Lake, Long Lake, Beta Lake and Millers
Lake. All eight County operated campgrounds are
family-oriented, and patrolled daily by Park
Officers. Fishing is superb throughout the area.
Yellowhead County caters to all caliber of hiker
with challenging trails, canyons and
hoodoos.
|
