High River

History

The community takes its name from the Highwood River, which flows through the town. The area was originally inhabited largely by the Blackfoot First Nation, who called the site Ispitzee (or the "place of high trees along running water"). By 1870, after the arrival of the North-West Mounted Police and after Treaty Number 7 had been signed in 1877, settlers began arriving into the region. High River's development centred on a convenient location for people, horses and cattle to cross the Highwood River - a location known as "The Crossing".

Development of the town was supported by the completion of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway in 1892. High River incorporated as a village on December 5, 1901, and was incorporated as a town on February 12, 1906.

Although growth slowed during the First World War, it continued after the war with the building of brick structures and a number of industries. One of Canada's first air force stations was constructed to the east of the town in 1921 The establishment of a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan elementary flying training school at the same air station helped boost High River's economy during the Second World War.

High River continued to grow throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s the downtown saw some major redevelopment, and redevelopment is continuing.

Floods

Main article: 2013 Alberta floods

The Highwood River is subject to frequent flooding. Flood events of exceptional magnitude occurred in 1894, 1899, 1902, 1908, 1912, 1923, 1929, 1932, 1942, 1995, 2005 and 2013. Most recently during the 2013 Alberta floods, thousands of people in Alberta were ordered to evacuate their homes after the rise of the Highwood River, Bow River, Elbow River, Sheep River, and numerous others. In 2013, three people died as a result of the flooding of the Highwood River.

Geography

Climate

High River experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb). Summer days are mild to warm with cool nights, while winters are cold and snowy with annual snowfall averaging 69 inches (175 cm).

| Jan record high C = 20.6 | Feb record high C = 23.0 | Mar record high C = 22.2 | Apr record high C = 30.0 | May record high C = 33.3 | Jun record high C = 35.0 | Jul record high C = 37.2 | Aug record high C = 35.6 | Sep record high C = 33.9 | Oct record high C = 31.7 | Nov record high C = 24.4 | Dec record high C = 20.0 | year record high C = 37.2 | Jan record low C = −45.0 | Feb record low C = −43.3 | Mar record low C = −40.6 | Apr record low C = −30.0 | May record low C = −19.4 | Jun record low C = −4.4 | Jul record low C = −3.9 | Aug record low C = −16.7 | Sep record low C = −16.1 | Oct record low C = −29.4 | Nov record low C = −37.0 | Dec record low C = −45.0 | year record low C = −45.0

Demographics

population history

|1901|153 |1906|1018 |1911|1182 |1916|1182 |1921|1198 |1926|1377 |1931|1459 |1936|1359 |1941|1430 |1946|1674 |1951|1888 |1956|2102 |1961|2276 |1966|2239 |1971|2676 |1976|3598 |1981|4792 |1986|5096 |1991|6269 |1996|7359 |2001|9345 |2006|10716 |2011|12920 |2016|13584 |2021|14,324

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High River had a population of 14,324 living in 5,787 of its 5,950 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 13,594. With a land area of 22.19 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

The population of the Town of High River according to its 2019 municipal census is 14,052, a change from its 2010 municipal census population of 11,783.

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High River recorded a population of 13,584 living in 5,367 of its 5,655 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 12,930. With a land area of 21.39 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High River recorded a population of 14,324 living in 5,790 of its 5,790 total private dwellings, a 5.4% change from its 2016 population of 14,324. With a land area of 22.19 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

Arts and culture

As part of High River's tourism and heritage endeavours, a number of murals illustrating High River's history were painted around town. The first of which were painted in the 1990s, and the most recent one being completed in 2016.

Attractions

The Museum of the Highwood (c. 1911–12), which sustained smoke, water and fire damage following a fire in the building's attic in July 2010, is on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

Education

High River is part of the Foothills School Division No. 38, as well as the Christ The Redeemer Catholic Schools Division.

Foothills School Division:

• École Joe Clark School – Grades K-5
• Spitzee Elementary School – Grades K-5
• École Senator Riley Middle School – Grades 6–8
• École Secondaire Highwood High School – Grades 9–12

Christ The Redeemer Catholic Schools:

• Holy Spirit Academy – Grades K-6
• Notre Dame Collegiate – Grades 7–12

Media

• CHRB AM 1140, community radio
• CFXO-FM 99.7, country music
• CKUV-FM 100.9, classic hits
• High River Times

Notable people

• Evan Berger, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, 2008 - 2012
• George Canyon, country music singer
• Joe Clark, former Canadian Prime Minister
• John "Pie" McKenzie, former professional hockey player
• W. O. Mitchell, author
• Glen Sather, former hockey player/head coach
• Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

Film and television

High River has been used as a filming location for the following films and television series:

• Superman III (1983)
• Caitlin's Way (20002002)
• Heartland (2007present)
• Fargo (2014present)
• Tin Star (20172020)
• Black Summer (20192021)
• The Last of Us (2023present)

Notes

References

References

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