Fort Vermilion, Alberta
Encyclopedia
Fort Vermilion is a hamlet
in northern Alberta
, Canada
within Mackenzie County.
Established in 1788, Fort Vermilion shares the title of oldest European settlement in Alberta with Fort Chipewyan
. Fort Vermilion contains many modern amenities to serve its inhabitants as well as the surrounding rural community. It is the seat of Mackenzie County – Alberta's largest municipality in terms of area.
The hamlet is located in census division
No. 17
and in the federal riding
of Peace River
.
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The area was inhabited by Dunneza (Beaver)
, Dene
and later Cree
first nations long before the arrival of European traders and settlers.
Named for the vermilion
coloured clays lining the river banks, Fort Vermilion began as a trading community for the North West Company
. The fort was established in 1788, following the expeditions of Alexander MacKenzie. Winter residents would trade furs with the native trappers, then send the furs by river during the summer to exchange points to the east and then to Montreal
. The fort was later transferred to the Hudson's Bay Company
after the 1821 merger. By 1930, it was a prosperous fur trading post.
The main access to the settlements was by means of the river, using river boats and then ferries to haul materials in the summer months, when the water was not frozen. In 1974 a bridge was built over the Peace River immediately west of Fort Vermilion, effectively ending the winter isolation of the community.
The original Old Bay House, home of the Chief Factor, still exists and is now part of the Fort Vermilion National Historic Site. It was listed as such in 1968, for its importance as site of North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company posts.
The Visitor Centre is hosted in a 1923 dove-tailed log house. Built on the banks of the Peace River, it was moved to its present location in 1983. Another heritage building is the 1907 Clark House, build for the Hudson's Bay Clerk quarters, and moved in 1994 to the present location near the Visitor Centre. The Trappers Shack , built in 1912, is another dove-tailed log house. It was listed as a provincial Historic Site.
and 661 kilometres (410.7 mi) northwest of Edmonton on the Highway 88 (Bicentennial Highway). The Hamlet of La Crête
is located approximately 40 km (24.9 mi) southwest of Fort Vermilion on Highway 697.
The hamlet is one of the northernmost communities in the Peace River Country
. Peace Country, in the aspen parkland
biome
, is Canada's northernmost lands suitable for agriculture
. The landscape is dominated by aspen
poplars and spruce, occasionally interspersed with areas of grasslands. Wildlife is abundant in the area, and include bear
s, moose
, deer
, beaver
s, fox
es, coyote
s and Canada geese
.
The hamlet is situated on the southern banks of the Peace River
, with an elevation ranging from 255 m (836.6 ft) to 282 m (925.2 ft). The North Vermilion Settlement lies on the opposite (northern) shore of the river, while Fort Vermilion Airport
is located 6 km (3.7 mi) downstream.
The climate is humid continental
to subarctic
, with long cold winters and short fairly warm summers. Temperatures during the winter can drop to -40 C to -50 C. Summer days benefit from long hours of daylight due to its northern location. Mosquito
es are a hazard during the summer months.
.jpg)
Two schools are located in Fort Vermilion, both administered by the Fort Vermilion School Division No. 52.
Fort Vermilion Public is part of the public school system and offers education from grade 6 to grade 12. Approximately 150 students attend this school. St. Mary's Elementary functions in the catholic school system
and is a Kindergarten to grade 5 school. It has approximately 145 students. It will be expanded to grade 6 in 2008, and the student body is expected to grow to 180.
The Northern Lakes College
, established in 1999, has one of its 26 campuses in Fort Vermilion. It was previously known as Alberta Vocational Centre Grouard, and offered education to first nation students.
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The Community Complex includes a hockey rink, a dance hall and a curling rink. The Fort Vermilion Heritage Centre manages 25 sites (listed as both provincial and national historic sites), including the old log houses, the Dominion Experimental Farm, first nations and natural history exhibits.
St. Theresa's Hospital is a facility built in 1983, offering 36 acute care beds and 10 long term care beds. It employs approximately 76 health workers, and is administered by the Northern Lights Health Region. The Provincial Court of Alberta
maintains a circuit court
in Fort Vermilion, with the base point located in High Level
. The court is hosted in the old hospital building.
The Fantasy North Golf & Country Club is a 9 hole golf course
with a 150 years history. Additional facilities include a mini golf park, driving range and clubhouse.
The hamlet also has by a public library and four churches. The St. Luke's Anglican Church Cemetery dates back to 1877. Located east of the settlement is the Fort Vermilion Airport
, administered by the Mackenzie County. It has a small airstrip that serves Fort Vermilion as well as other settlements in the surrounding area.
The Rodeo Grounds are located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south-west of the community, and hosts a rodeo
every year in July (check for dates). The event features cattle roping and bucking broncos along with other competition. Other events and festivals held in Fort Vermilion include Canada Day
celebrations, Town and Country Fair, River Daze and Arts and Crafts Show.
As of 2006, Fort Vermilion had a total population of 714 living in 227 dwellings. With a land area of 6.81 km² (2.6 sq mi), it has a population density
of 104.8 /km2.
Industry Canada shows that Fort Vermilion's greater rural area had a total population of 1,326 living in 395 dwellings in 2001. With a land area of 1027.44 km² (396.7 sq mi), its greater rural area has a population density
of 17 /km2.
and Ian Ferguson
. Will vividly describes his childhood there in his travel memoirs Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw. Among other things he mentions that the town was included in the 1976 version of Ghost Towns of Alberta, much to the chagrin of its residents at that time.
Fort Vermilion was also the home of rodeo bare-back riding champion Kenton Randle, who represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics
in Salt Lake City
.
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
in northern Alberta
Northern Alberta
Northern Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Its primary industry is oil and gas, with large heavy oil reserves being exploited at the Athabasca Oil Sands and Wabasca Area in the east of the region...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
within Mackenzie County.
Established in 1788, Fort Vermilion shares the title of oldest European settlement in Alberta with Fort Chipewyan
Fort Chipewyan, Alberta
Fort Chipewyan, commonly referred to as Fort Chip, is a hamlet in northern Alberta, Canada within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. It is located on the western tip of Lake Athabasca, adjacent to Wood Buffalo National Park, approximately north of Fort McMurray.Fort Chipewyan is one of...
. Fort Vermilion contains many modern amenities to serve its inhabitants as well as the surrounding rural community. It is the seat of Mackenzie County – Alberta's largest municipality in terms of area.
The hamlet is located in census division
Census division
Census division is an official term in Canada and the United States. The census divisions of Canada are second-level census geographic unit, below provinces and territories, and above "census subdivisions" and "dissemination areas". In provinces where they exist, the census division may correspond...
No. 17
Division No. 17, Alberta
Division No. 17 is a census division in Alberta, Canada. It spans the central and northwest portions of northern Alberta and its largest urban community is the Town of Slave Lake. Division No...
and in the federal riding
Alberta federal electoral districts
As of 2006, the province of Alberta has 28 electoral districts represented in the Canadian House of Commons.*Calgary Centre*Calgary Centre-North*Calgary East*Calgary Northeast*Calgary Southeast*Calgary Southwest*Calgary West*Calgary—Nose Hill*Crowfoot...
of Peace River
Peace River (electoral district)
Peace River is a federal electoral district in Alberta, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1925. It is a rural riding in northwest Alberta, representing the counties of Saddle Hills, Birch Hills, Grande Prairie, Northern Lights, Mackenzie, and the municipal...
.
History
Dunneza
The Dane-zaa are a First Nation of the large Athapaskan language group; their traditional territory is around the Peace River of the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, Canada...
, Dene
Dene
The Dene are an aboriginal group of First Nations who live in the northern boreal and Arctic regions of Canada. The Dené speak Northern Athabaskan languages. Dene is the common Athabaskan word for "people" . The term "Dene" has two usages...
and later Cree
Cree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
first nations long before the arrival of European traders and settlers.
Named for the vermilion
Vermilion
Vermilion is an opaque orangish red pigment, similar to scarlet. As a naturally occurring mineral pigment, it is known as cinnabar, and was in use around the world before the Common Era began. Most naturally produced vermilion comes from cinnabar mined in China, and vermilion is nowadays commonly...
coloured clays lining the river banks, Fort Vermilion began as a trading community for the North West Company
North West Company
The North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in Montreal from 1779 to 1821. It competed with increasing success against the Hudson's Bay Company in what was to become Western Canada...
. The fort was established in 1788, following the expeditions of Alexander MacKenzie. Winter residents would trade furs with the native trappers, then send the furs by river during the summer to exchange points to the east and then to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. The fort was later transferred to the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
after the 1821 merger. By 1930, it was a prosperous fur trading post.
The main access to the settlements was by means of the river, using river boats and then ferries to haul materials in the summer months, when the water was not frozen. In 1974 a bridge was built over the Peace River immediately west of Fort Vermilion, effectively ending the winter isolation of the community.
The original Old Bay House, home of the Chief Factor, still exists and is now part of the Fort Vermilion National Historic Site. It was listed as such in 1968, for its importance as site of North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company posts.
The Visitor Centre is hosted in a 1923 dove-tailed log house. Built on the banks of the Peace River, it was moved to its present location in 1983. Another heritage building is the 1907 Clark House, build for the Hudson's Bay Clerk quarters, and moved in 1994 to the present location near the Visitor Centre. The Trappers Shack , built in 1912, is another dove-tailed log house. It was listed as a provincial Historic Site.
Geography
Fort Vermilion is located approximately 77 kilometres (47.8 mi) southeast of High LevelHigh Level, Alberta
- Demographics :According to the 2006 census, High Level had a:*population of 3,887 living in 1,519 dwellings, a 12.9% increase from 2001;*land area of ; and*population density of .- Economy :...
and 661 kilometres (410.7 mi) northwest of Edmonton on the Highway 88 (Bicentennial Highway). The Hamlet of La Crête
La Crete, Alberta
La Crete is a hamlet in northern Alberta, Canada within Mackenzie County. It is located on Highway 697, approximately southeast of High Level and north of Edmonton, Alberta.The hamlet is located in census division No...
is located approximately 40 km (24.9 mi) southwest of Fort Vermilion on Highway 697.
The hamlet is one of the northernmost communities in the Peace River Country
Peace River Country
The Peace River Country is an aspen parkland region around the Peace River in Canada. It spans from northwestern Alberta to the Rocky Mountains in northeastern British Columbia, where the region is also referred to as the Peace River Block.- Geography :The Peace River Country includes the...
. Peace Country, in the aspen parkland
Aspen parkland
Aspen parkland refers to a very large area of transitional biome between prairie and boreal forest in two sections; the Peace River Country of northwestern Alberta crossing the border into British Columbia, and a much larger area stretching from central Alberta, all across central Saskatchewan to...
biome
Biome
Biomes are climatically and geographically defined as similar climatic conditions on the Earth, such as communities of plants, animals, and soil organisms, and are often referred to as ecosystems. Some parts of the earth have more or less the same kind of abiotic and biotic factors spread over a...
, is Canada's northernmost lands suitable for agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. The landscape is dominated by aspen
Aspen
Populus section Populus, of the Populus genus, includes the aspen trees and the white poplar Populus alba. The five typical aspens are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south at high altitudes in the mountains. The White Poplar, by...
poplars and spruce, occasionally interspersed with areas of grasslands. Wildlife is abundant in the area, and include bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
s, moose
Moose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
, deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, beaver
Beaver
The beaver is a primarily nocturnal, large, semi-aquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, North American Beaver and Eurasian Beaver . Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges . They are the second-largest rodent in the world...
s, fox
Fox
Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...
es, coyote
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
s and Canada geese
Canada Goose
The Canada Goose is a wild goose belonging to the genus Branta, which is native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, having a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and a brownish-gray body....
.
The hamlet is situated on the southern banks of the Peace River
Peace River (Canada)
The Peace River is a river in Canada that originates in the Rocky Mountains of northern British Columbia and flows to the northeast through northern Alberta. The Peace River flows into the Slave River, a tributary of the Mackenzie River. The Mackenzie is the 12th longest river in the world,...
, with an elevation ranging from 255 m (836.6 ft) to 282 m (925.2 ft). The North Vermilion Settlement lies on the opposite (northern) shore of the river, while Fort Vermilion Airport
Fort Vermilion Airport
Fort Vermilion Airport, , is located east northeast of Fort Vermilion, Alberta, Canada.-External links:* on COPA's Places to Fly airport directory...
is located 6 km (3.7 mi) downstream.
The climate is humid continental
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
to subarctic
Subarctic climate
The subarctic climate is a climate characterized by long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers. It is found on large landmasses, away from the moderating effects of an ocean, generally at latitudes from 50° to 70°N poleward of the humid continental climates...
, with long cold winters and short fairly warm summers. Temperatures during the winter can drop to -40 C to -50 C. Summer days benefit from long hours of daylight due to its northern location. Mosquito
Mosquito
Mosquitoes are members of a family of nematocerid flies: the Culicidae . The word Mosquito is from the Spanish and Portuguese for little fly...
es are a hazard during the summer months.
Education
Fort Vermilion Public is part of the public school system and offers education from grade 6 to grade 12. Approximately 150 students attend this school. St. Mary's Elementary functions in the catholic school system
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
and is a Kindergarten to grade 5 school. It has approximately 145 students. It will be expanded to grade 6 in 2008, and the student body is expected to grow to 180.
The Northern Lakes College
Northern Lakes College
Northern Lakes College is a publicly-funded comprehensive community college in north-central Alberta, Canada.Administrative offices are located in Slave Lake and Grouard, Alberta, with a staff of more than 275 working in more than 30 campuses...
, established in 1999, has one of its 26 campuses in Fort Vermilion. It was previously known as Alberta Vocational Centre Grouard, and offered education to first nation students.
Infrastructure
St. Theresa's Hospital is a facility built in 1983, offering 36 acute care beds and 10 long term care beds. It employs approximately 76 health workers, and is administered by the Northern Lights Health Region. The Provincial Court of Alberta
Provincial Court of Alberta
The Provincial Court of Alberta is a Provincial Court for the Canadian province of Alberta. The court oversees matters relating to criminal law, family law, youth law, civil law and traffic laws....
maintains a circuit court
Circuit court
Circuit court is the name of court systems in several common law jurisdictions.-History:King Henry II instituted the custom of having judges ride around the countryside each year to hear appeals, rather than forcing everyone to bring their appeals to London...
in Fort Vermilion, with the base point located in High Level
High Level, Alberta
- Demographics :According to the 2006 census, High Level had a:*population of 3,887 living in 1,519 dwellings, a 12.9% increase from 2001;*land area of ; and*population density of .- Economy :...
. The court is hosted in the old hospital building.
The Fantasy North Golf & Country Club is a 9 hole golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
with a 150 years history. Additional facilities include a mini golf park, driving range and clubhouse.
The hamlet also has by a public library and four churches. The St. Luke's Anglican Church Cemetery dates back to 1877. Located east of the settlement is the Fort Vermilion Airport
Fort Vermilion Airport
Fort Vermilion Airport, , is located east northeast of Fort Vermilion, Alberta, Canada.-External links:* on COPA's Places to Fly airport directory...
, administered by the Mackenzie County. It has a small airstrip that serves Fort Vermilion as well as other settlements in the surrounding area.
The Rodeo Grounds are located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south-west of the community, and hosts a rodeo
Rodeo
Rodeo is a competitive sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. It was based on the skills required of the working vaqueros and later, cowboys, in what today is the western United States,...
every year in July (check for dates). The event features cattle roping and bucking broncos along with other competition. Other events and festivals held in Fort Vermilion include Canada Day
Canada Day
Canada Day , formerly Dominion Day , is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act , which united three British colonies into a single country, called Canada, within the British Empire...
celebrations, Town and Country Fair, River Daze and Arts and Crafts Show.
Demographics
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 104.8 /km2.
Industry Canada shows that Fort Vermilion's greater rural area had a total population of 1,326 living in 395 dwellings in 2001. With a land area of 1027.44 km² (396.7 sq mi), its greater rural area has a population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 17 /km2.
Famous residents
Fort Vermilion was the childhood home of writers - and brothers - Will FergusonWill Ferguson
William Stener "Will" Ferguson is a Canadian writer and novelist best known for his humorous observations on Canadian history and culture....
and Ian Ferguson
Ian Ferguson (writer)
Ian Ferguson is a Canadian author and playwright.He is the brother of journalist and author Will Ferguson, with whom he co-wrote the 2001 book How To Be A Canadian ....
. Will vividly describes his childhood there in his travel memoirs Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw. Among other things he mentions that the town was included in the 1976 version of Ghost Towns of Alberta, much to the chagrin of its residents at that time.
Fort Vermilion was also the home of rodeo bare-back riding champion Kenton Randle, who represented Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
.