Jasper, Alberta
Encyclopedia
Jasper is a specialized municipality
in western Alberta
, Canada
. It is the commercial centre of Jasper National Park
, located in the Canadian Rockies
in the Athabasca River
valley.
Jasper is 362 kilometres (224.9 mi) west of Edmonton. Jasper is 290 kilometres (180.2 mi) north of Banff, Alberta
, with the Icefields Parkway
connecting the Jasper townsite to Lake Louise
in Banff National Park
. It was established as a specialized municipality on July 20, 2001 and the governance of Jasper is shared between the Municipality of Jasper and the federal
Parks Canada
agency.
, and later Hudson's Bay Company
, fur trade
outpost on the York Factory Express
trade route to what was then called "New Caledonia
" (now British Columbia
), and Fort Vancouver
in Columbia District
on the lower Columbia River
.
Jasper National Park was established in 1907. The railway siding at the location of the future townsite was established by Grand Trunk Pacific Railway
in 1911 and originally named Fitzhugh after a Grand Trunk vice president (along the Grand Trunk's "alphabet" line). The Canadian Northern Railway
also began service to Fitzhugh in 1912. The townsite was surveyed in 1913 by H. Matheson, and subsequently renamed Jasper after the former fur trade post. By 1931, Jasper was accessible by road from Edmonton, and in 1940 the scenic Icefields Parkway
opened, connecting Banff and Jasper.
Jasper is located in the Athabasca River
valley, at the confluence with Miette River
. It lies between the Victoria Cross Ranges
(northwest), Pyramid Mountain
(north), Maligne Range
(southeast) and Indian Ridge (southwest). Jasper is connected to the west via the Yellowhead Highway
and the Yellowhead Pass
to Prince George
and to the east to Edmonton. Toward the south, the Icefield Parkway leads to Banff
and Banff National Park
.
Located near Jasper are Pyramid Lake
and Patricia Lake
, as well as Lake Annette, Lake Edith, Lac Beauvert
, Maligne Lake
, Medicine Lake
and numerous other smaller lakes. The Jasper Tramway
, which takes visitors to The Whistlers' summit, and the Marmot Basin
ski resort are also located near the town, as is the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
. The Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives is located in the Jasper town site, as is the Jasper Visitor Centre
.
Jasper railway station
is served by Via Rail
with two passenger services. The Canadian
and the Jasper – Prince Rupert train both operate three times per week.
In 2006, Jasper had a population of 4,265 living in 1,817 dwellings
, a 2.0% increase from 2001. The specialized municipality has a land area of 925.52 km² (357.3 sq mi) and a population density
of 4.6 /km2.
According to the 2001 census, Jasper had a population of 4,180 (down from 4,301 in 1996) on a land area of 925.43 km² (357.3 sq mi). The population density was 4.5/km2 (11.65/sq mi), and the median household income was $53,485. An average value of private dwelling of $247,658 was registered in 2001.
(Köppen climate classification
Dfc) that borders on a humid continental climate
(Köppen Dfb).
Greater North Central Francophone Education Region No. 2
Specialized municipalities of Alberta
A specialized municipality is a type of municipal status used in the Canadian Province of Alberta. Alberta specialized municipalities are unique local governments that can be formed without resorting to special acts of Alberta's legislature...
in western Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, 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...
. It is the commercial centre of Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, spanning 10,878 km² . It is located in the province of Alberta, north of Banff National Park and west of the City of Edmonton. The park includes the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and...
, located in the Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies comprise the Canadian segment of the North American Rocky Mountains range. They are the eastern part of the Canadian Cordillera, extending from the Interior Plains of Alberta to the Rocky Mountain Trench of British Columbia. The southern end borders Idaho and Montana of the USA...
in the Athabasca River
Athabasca River
The Athabasca River originates from the Columbia Glacier of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada...
valley.
Jasper is 362 kilometres (224.9 mi) west of Edmonton. Jasper is 290 kilometres (180.2 mi) north of Banff, Alberta
Banff, Alberta
Banff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately west of Calgary and east of Lake Louise....
, with the Icefields Parkway
Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway , also known as Highway 93 north, is a scenic road in Alberta, Canada. It parallels the Continental Divide, traversing the rugged landscape of the Canadian Rockies, travelling through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. It links Lake Louise with Jasper to the north....
connecting the Jasper townsite to Lake Louise
Lake Louise, Alberta
Lake Louise is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within Improvement District No. 9 Banff . It is named for the nearby Lake Louise, which in turn was named after the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta , the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, and the wife of John Campbell, the 9th Duke of Argyll, who was the...
in Banff National Park
Banff National Park
Banff National Park is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains. The park, located 110–180 kilometres west of Calgary in the province of Alberta, encompasses of mountainous terrain, with numerous glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine...
. It was established as a specialized municipality on July 20, 2001 and the governance of Jasper is shared between the Municipality of Jasper and the federal
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
Parks Canada
Parks Canada
Parks Canada , also known as the Parks Canada Agency , is an agency of the Government of Canada mandated to protect and present nationally significant natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative...
agency.
History
Established in 1813, Jasper House was first a North West CompanyNorth 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...
, and later 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...
, fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
outpost on the York Factory Express
York Factory Express
The York Factory Express, usually called "the Express" and also called the Columbia Express and the Communication, was a brigade operated by Hudson's Bay Company in the early 19th century connecting York Factory and Fort Vancouver. It was named "express" because it was not used only to transport...
trade route to what was then called "New Caledonia
New Caledonia (Canada)
New Caledonia was the name given to a district of the Hudson's Bay Company that comprised the territory largely coterminous with the present-day province of British Columbia, Canada. Though not a British colony, New Caledonia was part of the British claim to North America. Its administrative...
" (now British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
), and Fort Vancouver
Fort Vancouver
Fort Vancouver was a 19th century fur trading outpost along the Columbia River that served as the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company in the company's Columbia District...
in Columbia District
Columbia District
The Columbia District was a fur trading district in the Pacific Northwest region of British North America in the 19th century. It was explored by the North West Company between 1793 and 1811, and established as an operating fur district around 1810...
on the lower Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
.
Jasper National Park was established in 1907. The railway siding at the location of the future townsite was established by Grand Trunk Pacific Railway
Grand Trunk Pacific Railway
The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway was a historical Canadian railway.A wholly owned subsidiary of the Grand Trunk Railway , the GTPR was constructed by GTR using loans provided by the Government of Canada. The company was formed in 1903 with a mandate to build west from Winnipeg, Manitoba to the...
in 1911 and originally named Fitzhugh after a Grand Trunk vice president (along the Grand Trunk's "alphabet" line). The Canadian Northern Railway
Canadian Northern Railway
The Canadian Northern Railway is a historic Canadian transcontinental railway. At its demise in 1923, when it was merged into the Canadian National Railway , the CNoR owned a main line between Quebec City and Vancouver via Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Edmonton.-Manitoba beginnings:CNoR had its start in...
also began service to Fitzhugh in 1912. The townsite was surveyed in 1913 by H. Matheson, and subsequently renamed Jasper after the former fur trade post. By 1931, Jasper was accessible by road from Edmonton, and in 1940 the scenic Icefields Parkway
Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway , also known as Highway 93 north, is a scenic road in Alberta, Canada. It parallels the Continental Divide, traversing the rugged landscape of the Canadian Rockies, travelling through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. It links Lake Louise with Jasper to the north....
opened, connecting Banff and Jasper.
Geography
Athabasca River
The Athabasca River originates from the Columbia Glacier of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada...
valley, at the confluence with Miette River
Miette River
The Miette River is a short river in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It flows south-southwest through the Rocky Mountains before draining into the Athabasca River....
. It lies between the Victoria Cross Ranges
Victoria Cross Ranges
The Victoria Cross Ranges are a set of mountain ranges in the Canadian Rockies, located to the northwest of Jasper. Of the 19 peaks contained within this range, six are named after Canadian recipients of the Victoria Cross....
(northwest), Pyramid Mountain
Pyramid Mountain (Alberta)
Pyramid Mountain is a mountain in Jasper National Park, Alberta, named for its pyramid-like shape. James Hector named the mountain in 1859 due to its appearance from the Athabasca River valley on the eastern side of the peak....
(north), Maligne Range
Maligne Range
The Maligne Range is a mountain range of the Canadian Rockies located directly southeast of Jasper townsite in Jasper National Park, Canada.This range includes the following mountains and peaks:...
(southeast) and Indian Ridge (southwest). Jasper is connected to the west via the Yellowhead Highway
Yellowhead Highway
The Yellowhead Highway is a major east-west highway connecting the four western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Although part of the Trans-Canada Highway system, the highway should not be confused with the more southerly, originally-designated...
and the Yellowhead Pass
Yellowhead Pass
The Yellowhead Pass is a mountain pass across the Continental Divide of the Canadian Rockies. It is located on the border between the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and lies within Jasper National Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park....
to Prince George
Prince George, British Columbia
Prince George, with a population of 71,030 , is the largest city in northern British Columbia, Canada, and is known as "BC's Northern Capital"...
and to the east to Edmonton. Toward the south, the Icefield Parkway leads to Banff
Banff, Alberta
Banff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately west of Calgary and east of Lake Louise....
and Banff National Park
Banff National Park
Banff National Park is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains. The park, located 110–180 kilometres west of Calgary in the province of Alberta, encompasses of mountainous terrain, with numerous glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine...
.
Located near Jasper are Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake (Alberta)
Pyramid Lake is kidney-shaped lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It lies at the foot of Pyramid Mountain, a natural landmark that overlooks the town of Jasper....
and Patricia Lake
Patricia Lake (Alberta)
Patricia Lake is a lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, near the town of Jasper.Pyramid Lake is connected by hiking trails to the town of Jasper, and other tourist sites such as Pyramid Lake and Pyramid Mountain.- Project Habbakuk :...
, as well as Lake Annette, Lake Edith, Lac Beauvert
Lac Beauvert
Lac Beauvert, or Beauvert Lake is a small lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.It is located next to the Jasper Park Lodge, a Fairmont Hotels and Resorts property. The lake is located a 10 minute drive North-East of the town of Jasper....
, Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is a lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It is famed for the colour of its water, the surrounding peaks, the three glaciers visible from the lake and Spirit Island, one of the most photographed locations in the world. The lake is located south of Jasper town, and is...
, Medicine Lake
Medicine Lake
Medicine Lake can refer to:* Medicine Lake * Medicine Lake Volcano in California, USA* Medicine Lake, Minnesota* Medicine Lake, Montana* Medicine Lake in Carbon County, Montana* Medicine Lake in Granite County, Montana...
and numerous other smaller lakes. The Jasper Tramway
Jasper Tramway
The Jasper Tramway is the highest and longest aerial tramway located in Canada. It was built in 1964 and goes to a height of 2,277 m above sea level. It is a ten minute drive from Jasper, Alberta and crests The Whistlers Mountain. It is roughly 230 km north of Lake Louise along the Icefields...
, which takes visitors to The Whistlers' summit, and the Marmot Basin
Marmot Basin
Marmot Basin is an alpine ski area located in Alberta's Jasper National Park. It has offered a broad variety of basin and glade skiing since it first served enthusiasts in 1961 with a single rope tow driven by a truck engine....
ski resort are also located near the town, as is the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Jasper Park Lodge
The Jasper Park Lodge opened in 1922 in Jasper, Alberta, Canada to challenge the CPR's Banff Springs Hotel.The lodge had first been established in 1915 as a "Tent City," in association with the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, but by the 1920s the property was under the management of Canadian National...
. The Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives is located in the Jasper town site, as is the Jasper Visitor Centre
Jasper Park Information Centre
The Jasper Park Information Centre National Historic Site, located in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, is the primary visitor contact centre for visitors to the park. Sited in the Jasper townsite, it was built as the park administration building in 1913-1914, and became the visitor contact...
.
Transportation
Jasper railway station
Jasper railway station is on the Canadian National Railway mainline in Jasper, Alberta. The station is served by Via Rail's The Canadian three times per week in each direction and is the eastern terminus for the Via Rail's Jasper – Prince Rupert train...
is served by Via Rail
VIA Rail
Via Rail Canada is an independent crown corporation offering intercity passenger rail services in Canada. It is headquartered near Montreal Central Station at 3 Place Ville-Marie in Montreal, Quebec....
with two passenger services. The Canadian
The Canadian
The Canadian is a Canadian transcontinental passenger train originally operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway between 1955 and 1978. It is currently operated as an Inter-city rail service by Via Rail Canada with service between Union Station in Toronto, Ontario and Pacific Central Station in...
and the Jasper – Prince Rupert train both operate three times per week.
Demographics
The population of the Municipality of Jasper according to its 2008 municipal census is 4,745, which includes a permanent population of 4,235 and a shadow (non-permanent) population of 510.In 2006, Jasper had a population of 4,265 living in 1,817 dwellings
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
, a 2.0% increase from 2001. The specialized municipality has a land area of 925.52 km² (357.3 sq mi) and 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 4.6 /km2.
According to the 2001 census, Jasper had a population of 4,180 (down from 4,301 in 1996) on a land area of 925.43 km² (357.3 sq mi). The population density was 4.5/km2 (11.65/sq mi), and the median household income was $53,485. An average value of private dwelling of $247,658 was registered in 2001.
Media
- Newspapers
- The FitzhughThe FitzhughThe Fitzhugh is a weekly newspaper serving the Jasper, Alberta area.The Fitzhugh bills itself as Jasper's independent, locally owned newspaper. It was started in 2005 by a group of five colleagues from Jasper...
(locally-owned weekly) - Jasper BoosterJasper BoosterThe Jasper Booster was a weekly newspaper published on Wednesdays, serving the Jasper, Alberta area. It was founded in 1963, and was the first to report news in Jasper. It was Jasper's long-term residents favourite newspaper, reporting real news about local residents.The Jasper Booster team created...
(weekly) (The Booster has ceased publication. It printed its last issue on March 11, 2009.)
- The Fitzhugh
- Radio Stations
- CJAG-FMCJAG-FMCJAG-FM is a Canadian radio station that broadcasts an active rock format at 92.3 FM in Jasper, Alberta. The station is branded as JAG 92.3 or The lone wolf. It is Jasper's only local radio station...
92.3 Athabasca Hotel - CFXP-FM 95.5 Newcap BroadcastingNewcap BroadcastingNewfoundland Capital Corporation Limited is a major Canadian broadcasting company, majority-owned by Harold R. Steele. Newfoundland Capital is the parent company of Newcap Inc. . It is currently the number two private-sector radio broadcaster in Canada, just behind Astral Media...
- CBXJ-FM 98.1 CBC Radio OneCBC Radio OneCBC Radio One is the English language news and information radio network of the publicly-owned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It is commercial free and offers both local and national programming...
- CJAG-FM
Climate
Jasper experiences a subarctic climateSubarctic 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...
(Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Dfc) that borders on a humid continental climate
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....
(Köppen Dfb).
Education
Grande Yellowhead Regional Division No. 35- Jasper Elementary School (K–6 English, K–3 French)
- Jasper Junior Senior High SchoolJasper Junior Senior High SchoolJasper Junior Senior High School is a public high school located in Jasper, Alberta, Canada.-Building:The school is housed in a building of masonry construction that was first erected in 1952. Additions were made in 1958, 1967 and 1988, and the building has a current floor area of ....
(7–12)
Greater North Central Francophone Education Region No. 2
Greater North Central Francophone Education Region No. 2
The Greater North Central Francophone Education Region No. 2, known in French as the Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord is Alberta’s largest French language school board. French language education is intended for children who are eligible under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms...
- École Desrochers (K–12)
Notable residents
- Erin KarplukErin KarplukErin Karpluk is a Canadian television actress. She is best known for her leading roles in Godiva's and Being Erica...
, actress - Wyatt TremblayWyatt TremblayWyatt Tremblay is a Canadian editorial cartoonist who has worked for the Yukon News since 1992.-Personal life:Born in 1960 in Jasper, Alberta, he completed his schooling at F.H. Collins high school in Whitehorse, Yukon in 1978, with the intention of becoming an accountant but with the desire to...
, editorial cartoonist - Brian YoungBrian Young (ice hockey)Brian Donald Young was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played eight games in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks. Young was a fourth round selection by the Hawks in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. He spent the majority of his career with Schwenningen ERC of the...
, NHL hockey player - Ian Herbers, NHL hockey player
- John HilworthJohn HilworthJohn Hilworth is a retired Canadian ice hockey player who played 57 games in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings.- Career statistics :-External links:...
, NHL hockey player
External links
- Municipality of Jasper - official website