Drumheller

The Town of Drumheller was named after Samuel Drumheller, who, after purchasing the homestead of Thomas Patrick Greentree, had it surveyed into the original Drumheller townsite and put lots on the market in 1911.

Drumheller became a railway station in 1912.[6] It then incorporated as a village on May 15, 1913, a town on March 2, 1916 and a city on April 3, 1930.[7] Over a 15-year period, Drumheller's population increased 857% from 312 in 1916[8] to 2,987 in 1931[9] shortly after becoming a city.

The City of Drumheller amalgamated with the Municipal District (MD) of Badlands No. 7 on January 1, 1998 to form the current Town of Drumheller.[10] Some of the reasons the two municipalities amalgamated included the MD of Badlands No. 7 having more in common with Drumheller than other surrounding rural municipalities and both were experiencing similar planning and development issues due to their locations within the Red Deer River valley.[11] The amalgamated municipality opted for town status rather than city status so that highways within would remain the responsibility of the Province of Alberta.[12] As a result of the amalgamation, Drumheller became Alberta's largest town in terms of land area at 107.93 square kilometres (41.67 sq mi).[13]

The 1998 amalgamation resulted in Drumheller absorbing six hamlets that were previously under the jurisdiction of the MD of Badlands No. 7 – Cambria, East Coulee, Lehigh, Nacmine, Rosedale and Wayne.[11] Drumheller also previously absorbed the hamlets of Bankview, Midlandvale (Midland), Newcastle and North Drumheller during annexations while under city status.[11] Bankview and Midland were annexed in 1964 and 1972 respectively, while Newcastle and North Drumheller were both annexed in 1967.[11] Other localities within Drumheller, either absorbed through past annexations or its eventual amalgamation with the MD of Badlands No. 7, include Aerial, Eladesor, Kneehill, Rosedale Station, Western Monarch (Atlas)[14] and Willow Creek.[15]

In total, Drumheller has absorbed at least 13 other communities in its history, some of which are now recognized as neighbourhoods or districts within the town.[16]

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Drumheller recorded a population of 7,982 living in 3,164 of its 3,471 total private dwellings, a -0.6% change from its 2011 population of 8,029. With a land area of 108.03 km² (41.71 sq mi), it had a population density of 73.9/km² (191.4/sq mi) in 2016.[4]

In the 2011 Census, the Town of Drumheller had a population of 8,029 living in 3,182 of its 3,418 total dwellings, a 1.2% change from its 2006 population of 7,932. With a land area of 107.93 km² (41.67 sq mi), it had a population density of 74.4/km² (192.7/sq mi) in 2011.[13]

Drumheller experiences a Semi-arid climate (BSk). The highest temperature ever recorded in Drumheller was 40.6 °C (105 °F) on 18 July 1941.[17] The coldest temperature ever recorded was −43.9 °C (−47 °F) on 29 January 1996.[18]

Hoodoos at Drumheller

South of the traffic bridge over the Red Deer river on Highway 9 is the World's Largest Dinosaur, a 26.2-metre (86 ft) high fiberglass Tyrannosaurus rex that can be entered for a view of the Badlands, including the adjacent 23 metre (75 ft) water fountain, again one of the largest in Canada.[25] Tourist attractions also include the Star Mine Suspension Bridge, Atlas Coal Mine, Canadian Badlands Passion Play, Horseshoe Canyon, Water Spray Park, Aquaplex with indoor and outdoor pools, Horse Thief Canyon, hoodoos, Midland Provincial Park, the Rosedeer Hotel in Wayne, 27 kilometres (17 mi) of constructed pathways, Bleriot Ferry, East Coulee School Museum, Homestead Museum, Valley Doll Museum and the Little Church which is capable of seating only six patrons.[26]

Next to the now closed Drumheller ski hill is the Canadian Badlands Passion Play site, where, for two weeks each July, performances are held. Companies are composed of actors from all over Alberta. The site also offers small plays throughout the summer and an interpretive centre.[27]

Drumheller is also home to the Valley Doll Museum and Gifts.

Royal Tyrrell Museum

Main article: Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology

Gorgosaurus at Royal Tyrrell Museum

The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology is a museum that hosts Canada's largest collection of dinosaur fossils. It boasts 375,000 visitors a year, the largest of all provincial museum attractions. It opened on September 25, 1985. The Royal Tyrrell Museum is located in the northwest quadrant of the Town of Drumheller, in Midland Provincial Park.

Drumheller/Ostergard's Airport and Drumheller Municipal Airport are in the vicinity of Drumheller. None have regular passenger flights.

The railway was decommissioned and demolished in 2014.[28]

• Tommy Anderson (1910–1971), professional ice hockey player
• Jaydee Bixby (born 1990), professional musician
• Andrew Bodnarchuk (born 1988), professional ice hockey player
• Don Campbell (1925–2012), professional ice hockey player
• Philip J. Currie (born 1949), palaeontologist and museum curator
• Bruno De Costa (born 1938), Olympic skeet shooter
• Jack Evans (1928–1996), professional ice hockey player
• Glen Gorbous (1930-1990), professional baseball player
• Glenn Gray (1924–2011), curler
• Glenn Hagel (born 1949), provincial and municipal politician
• Doug MacAuley (1929–2009), professional ice hockey player
• Jackie Pement (born 1946), provincial politician
• Howard E. Ross (1921–2010), land developer and builder
• Frank Sandercock (1887–1942), president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association[29]
• Stanley Schumacher (born 1933), politician and lawyer
• Tom Siddon (born 1941), politician and engineer
• Darren Tanke (born 1960), palaeontologist and museum curator
• Jeff Trembecky (born 1974), professional ice hockey player

• List of communities in Alberta
• List of towns in Alberta

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Drumheller.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Drumheller.

• Official website