Port Cornwall, Alberta
Encyclopedia
Port Cornwall, also known as Fort Cornwall, is a former village in northern Alberta
, Canada
within the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124. Prior to incorporation as a village, the community was known as Mirror Landing.
Port Cornwall was located on the north shore of the Lesser Slave River
at its confluence with the Athabasca River
. The Hamlet of Smith
is located 1.4 km (0.869921831309729 mi) southeast of the former village across the Athabasca River.
via Athabasca Landing
. By 1911, Mirror Landing was one of numerous stopping points for unimpeded steamboat travel between Athabasca Landing and Lesser Slave Lake
.
The community was incorporated as the Village of Fort Cornwall on October 27, 1913, although it was referred to as Port Cornwall as early as January, 1914. According to Alberta Municipal Affairs
, Port Cornwall had a population of 200 in 1913.
By early 1914, the village had over 30 businesses and numerous residences. Infrastructure included streetlights and sidewalks. It also included a government telegraph office and quarters for the Royal Northwest Mounted Police
. At this time, plans were also underway for the building of a school and a Methodist church.
However, early 1914 would also spell the beginning of the end for the village. The Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway
had reached the present location of Smith, across the confluence of the Lesser Slave and Athabasca rivers from Port Cornwall. Subdivision of the Smith townsite began as a result, and Port Cornwall's demise began.
Ultimately, the Village of Port Cornwall later disorganized on September 11, 1917.
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 the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124. Prior to incorporation as a village, the community was known as Mirror Landing.
Port Cornwall was located on the north shore of the Lesser Slave River
Lesser Slave River
Lesser Slave River is a river in central Alberta, Canada. It is a major tributary of the Athabasca River....
at its confluence with the Athabasca River
Athabasca River
The Athabasca River originates from the Columbia Glacier of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada...
. The Hamlet of Smith
Smith, Alberta
Smith is a hamlet in northern Alberta, Canada within the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124. It is located on Highway 2A, approximately northwest of Edmonton, at the confluence of the Lesser Slave River and the Athabasca River.- History :...
is located 1.4 km (0.869921831309729 mi) southeast of the former village across the Athabasca River.
History
In the late 19th century, Mirror Landing was a stopping point along a trail for travelers to the Peace Country from Fort EdmontonFort Edmonton
Fort Edmonton was the name of a series of trading posts of the Hudson's Bay Company from 1795 to 1891, all of which were located in central Alberta, Canada...
via Athabasca Landing
Athabasca, Alberta
Athabasca is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It lies north of Edmonton on Highway 2, on the banks of the Athabasca River. It is the centre of Athabasca County. Until 1913 it was known as Athabasca Landing.- History :...
. By 1911, Mirror Landing was one of numerous stopping points for unimpeded steamboat travel between Athabasca Landing and Lesser Slave Lake
Lesser Slave Lake
Lesser Slave Lake is a lake located in central Alberta, Canada, northwest of Edmonton. It is the second largest lake entirely within Alberta boundaries , covering and measuring over long and at its widest point. Lesser Slave Lake averages in depth and is at its deepest...
.
The community was incorporated as the Village of Fort Cornwall on October 27, 1913, although it was referred to as Port Cornwall as early as January, 1914. According to Alberta Municipal Affairs
Alberta Municipal Affairs
Alberta Municipal Affairs is a ministry of the Executive Council of Alberta. Its major responsibilities include assisting municipalities in the provision of local government, administering a safety system for the construction and maintenance of buildings and equipment, and managing Alberta's...
, Port Cornwall had a population of 200 in 1913.
By early 1914, the village had over 30 businesses and numerous residences. Infrastructure included streetlights and sidewalks. It also included a government telegraph office and quarters for the Royal Northwest Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
. At this time, plans were also underway for the building of a school and a Methodist church.
However, early 1914 would also spell the beginning of the end for the village. The Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway
Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway
The Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway was an early pioneer railway in northwestern Alberta, designed to open up the Peace River district....
had reached the present location of Smith, across the confluence of the Lesser Slave and Athabasca rivers from Port Cornwall. Subdivision of the Smith townsite began as a result, and Port Cornwall's demise began.
Ultimately, the Village of Port Cornwall later disorganized on September 11, 1917.
External links
- View of Port Cornwall, 1914 – Library and Archives Canada