Heritage and Culture of the Red Deer Region

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Heritage
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History and Culture . . .
A rich heritage and a courageous pioneer spirit have built a diversified culture into the modern era

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Geology

A deal between the railroad and a reverend landowner determined the location of the city

The city and region's name came from a misinterpretation of the Cree word for the area, Waskasoo, meaning elk or wapiti, named for their abundance in the region. Early fur traders assumed that the elk were red deer.

In 1882, a number of former freighters, land surveryors and other pioneers took up claims near the ford where the old Calgary-Edmonton Trail crossed the Red Deer River.

former park at Red Deer CPR station The original settlement was at the Crossing of the Red Deer River (where Fort Normandeau is located), a few miles upstream from the current city. When the railroad was being built, the Rev. Leonard Gaetz made a land deal with the railroad to have it run through his property and donated land for the townsite. And where the railroad was, so came the settlers and business.

Alberta Central Railway steel bridge at Red Deer River The new settlement developed, thrived and became the hub of an energic and prosperous region expanding north, south, east and west. Then and now, transportation and business opportunities expanded. Communities, recreation, tourism and the economy continue to grow.

The history and culture of the Red Deer Region will be expanded over the next few months.
The first two installments are:

Part 1 - Communities in the wilderness - First Nations, hunters, traders,
             explorers and missionaries lay the groundwork for the future

Part 2 - The Calgary-Edmonton Trail - Settlements develop around the Crossing
             of the Red Deer River

See: History of the Railways of Central Alberta
      History of the Penhold Base 1939-1995

Coming Soon:
- The Calgary Edmonton Railway
- Competition Along the Line
- The Development of the Region
- The Railway Capital of Canada
- Effects of World War I
- Effects of World War II

Geology       Museums       Historical Sites

Fort Normandeau
and the Crossing
The Red Deer River Crossing
on the Calgary and Edmonton Trail
upstream from current location
of the City of Red Deer
First resident 1872
First settlement 1882
First stagecoach 1883
Fort established 1885
New townsite 6 km east 1891

Innisfail Historical Village

The Spruces
Stopping House

Old Red Deer CPR Station

Harvard Trainer at former Penhold Air Base