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Hinton is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada.
Hinton | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Town of Hinton | |
 Government Centre | |
 | |
| Motto: Gateway to the Rockies | |
 Location in Yellowhead County | |
  Hinton Location of Hinton in Alberta | |
| Coordinates: 53°24′40″N 117°33′46″W / 53.41111°N 117.56278°W[1] | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Planning region | Upper Athabasca |
| Municipal district | Yellowhead County |
| Founded | 1928 |
| Incorporated[2] | |
| • New town | November 1, 1956 |
| • Town | December 29, 1958 |
| Amalgamated[3] | April 1, 1957 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Nicholas Nissen |
| • Governing body | Hinton Town Council
|
| • Manager | Jordan Panasiuk |
| • MP | Gerald Soroka (CPC - Yellowhead) |
| • MLA | Martin Long (UCP - West Yellowhead) |
| Area (2021)[5] | |
| • Land | 33.32 km2 (12.86 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 990 m (3,250 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 9,817 |
| • Density | 294.6/km2 (763/sq mi) |
| • Estimate (2022) | 10,087[7] |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| Forward sortation area | |
| Area code(s) | 780 / 587 |
| Highways |  Highway 16 (TCH)Yellowhead Highway Highway 40 |
| Website | Official website |
It is located in Yellowhead County, 81 km (50 mi) northeast of Jasper and about 284 km (176 mi) west of Alberta's capital city, Edmonton, at the intersection of Yellowhead and Bighorn Highway, in the Athabasca River valley.
Geography
editHinton lies in the Alberta Plateau Benchlands physiographic subdivision of the Interior Plains. Soils around town are influenced by deposits of carbonate-rich, wind-blown sand and silt which usually have surface textures of loam, sandy loam or silt loam. They are moderately alkaline, in contrast to the varying, mostly moderate acidity which prevails beyond the zone of calcareous aeolian material.[9]
Climate
editThe closest weather station is located at Entrance, about 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Hinton
| Climate data for Entrance Climate ID: 3062440; coordinates 53°22′N 117°42′W / 53.367°N 117.700°W; elevation: 990.6 m (3,250 ft); 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1917-2006 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 22.2 (72.0) |
19.0 (66.2) |
22.0 (71.6) |
27.8 (82.0) |
33.9 (93.0) |
34.4 (93.9) |
37.8 (100.0) |
34.4 (93.9) |
34.0 (93.2) |
29.4 (84.9) |
21.1 (70.0) |
17.8 (64.0) |
37.8 (100.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −3.3 (26.1) |
1.1 (34.0) |
5.1 (41.2) |
11.5 (52.7) |
16.3 (61.3) |
20.0 (68.0) |
22.2 (72.0) |
21.7 (71.1) |
17.1 (62.8) |
10.4 (50.7) |
1.8 (35.2) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
10.2 (50.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −9.2 (15.4) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
3.9 (39.0) |
8.4 (47.1) |
12.3 (54.1) |
14.4 (57.9) |
13.6 (56.5) |
9.2 (48.6) |
3.9 (39.0) |
−3.7 (25.3) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
3.1 (37.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −15.0 (5.0) |
−12.8 (9.0) |
−9.5 (14.9) |
−3.7 (25.3) |
0.6 (33.1) |
4.6 (40.3) |
6.6 (43.9) |
5.5 (41.9) |
1.3 (34.3) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
−9.3 (15.3) |
−12.6 (9.3) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −51.2 (−60.2) |
−47.0 (−52.6) |
−42.8 (−45.0) |
−35.6 (−32.1) |
−13.5 (7.7) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−19.4 (−2.9) |
−27.0 (−16.6) |
−39.0 (−38.2) |
−47.2 (−53.0) |
−51.2 (−60.2) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 24.3 (0.96) |
12.9 (0.51) |
22.1 (0.87) |
25.9 (1.02) |
62.5 (2.46) |
76.3 (3.00) |
94.0 (3.70) |
73.9 (2.91) |
46.3 (1.82) |
33.1 (1.30) |
22.1 (0.87) |
14.4 (0.57) |
507.9 (20.00) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.8 (0.03) |
0.4 (0.02) |
1.6 (0.06) |
17.3 (0.68) |
56.5 (2.22) |
76.3 (3.00) |
94.0 (3.70) |
73.9 (2.91) |
44.6 (1.76) |
19.0 (0.75) |
2.4 (0.09) |
0.3 (0.01) |
387.0 (15.24) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 23.5 (9.3) |
12.5 (4.9) |
20.5 (8.1) |
8.6 (3.4) |
6.0 (2.4) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.0) |
1.6 (0.6) |
14.2 (5.6) |
19.7 (7.8) |
14.2 (5.6) |
120.9 (47.6) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 5.8 | 4.2 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 11.3 | 13.0 | 12.6 | 12.8 | 11.1 | 6.4 | 5.9 | 4.7 | 100.9 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 4.2 | 10.8 | 13.0 | 12.6 | 12.8 | 10.9 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 70.9 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 5.5 | 4.1 | 6.1 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 33.0 |
| Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[10] | |||||||||||||
History
edit
The Town of Hinton was named for William P. Hinton, Vice President and General Manager of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The community was named in 1911 and remained a hamlet for the next 45 years.
Settlement in the area was scattered along a line some 12 km (7.5 mi) in length. A site along Hardisty Creek is where a First Nations group from the Jasper area had left members stricken with smallpox while the rest of the group travelled to Lac Ste. Anne to find medical aid for the smallpox epidemic which was ravaging the indigenous population. The area was thus dubbed Cache Picote (Smallpox Camp) in 1870.
In 1888, Jack Gregg established a trading post at Prairie Creek to serve travellers along the Jasper trail. The creek is now known as Muskuta Creek after an incorrect interpretation of the Cree name by white settlers. The construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway saw the establishment of a construction camp at the mouth of Prairie Creek (at the Athabasca River) in 1908. A trestle was built over the creek and is still in use by the Canadian National Railway (CNR) today.
In 1911 the Grand Trunk Pacific built a station house at mile 978 west of Winnipeg. The station was named Hinton, and the community was born.
The Canadian Northern Railway also established a station called Bliss in 1914. The Canadian Northern Railway ran north of the Grand Trunk Pacific line and the Bliss station was about 6.4 km (4 mi) east of Hinton in the Athabasca River valley. In 1916 when the Grand Trunk Pacific rail line was temporarily closed, Dalehurst became the postal station for Hinton. Entrance (formerly Dyke), another important centre to Hinton, served as its communications centre. The original community known as Entrance was so named due to its location at the entrance to Jasper Forest Park and was on the Canadian Northern rail line north of the Athabasca River. The original site of Entrance is now known as Old Entrance.
The Canadian National Railway became the owner of both the Canadian Northern and the Grand Trunk Pacific, and various portions of both lines were used by the new railway. The company, however, abandoned the use of the rail line through Bliss in 1926 and once again the rail line through Hinton was opened.
The population of Hinton experienced a boom during the 1930s when American entrepreneur Frank Seabolt and two partners opened the Hinton coal mine in 1931.[11] Shortly thereafter, a recession caused the population to dwindle to fewer than 100 people, but the town began to rebound in 1955 with the construction of a pulp mill. The mill brought rapid growth to Hinton and a new village was developed and was named Drinnan in 1956. The two communities amalgamated on April 1, 1957, to form the present Town of Hinton.[3]
Hinton train collision
editOn February 8, 1986, a Canadian National Railway freight train collided with a Via Rail passenger train called the Super Continental, killing twenty-three people. The Hinton train collision was the deadliest rail disaster in Canada since the Dugald rail accident of 1947, which had thirty-one fatalities, and was not surpassed until the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster in 2013, which resulted in forty-seven fatalities. It was surmised that the accident was a result of the crew of the freight train becoming incapacitated, and the resulting investigations revealed serious flaws in Canadian National Railway's employee practises.[12]
Demographics
editIn the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Hinton had a population of 9,817 living in 4,006 of its 4,405 total private dwellings, a change of -0.7% from its 2016 population of 9,882. With a land area of 33.32 km2 (12.86 sq mi), it had a population density of 294.6/km2 (763.1/sq mi) in 2021.[5]
In the Canada 2016 Census conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Hinton recorded a population of 9,882 living in 3,930 of its 4,343 total private dwellings, a 2.5% increase from its 2011 population of 9,640. With a land area of 33.52 km2 (12.94 sq mi), it had a population density of 294.8/km2 (763.6/sq mi) in 2016.[13]
The population of the Town of Hinton according to its 2009 municipal census is 9,825.[14] The census originally counted 9,812 people within the town limits[15] but an additional 13 were added when a long-standing annexation application was approved shortly after the census was conducted.
It is the site of the Foothills Ojibway Society (non-status First Nation).
Attractions
editHinton is one of two staging areas for expeditions in the Willmore Wilderness Park, the other being Grande Cache.
Nature lovers are drawn to Hinton to visit the Beaver Boardwalk, a 3 km (1.9 mi) walk where they can see beavers and other wildlife.[16]
Infrastructure
edit
Transportation
editHinton Transit is the municipal public transportation service, operated under contract by First Student Canada, which is responsible for providing the vehicles, drivers and maintenance. The bus service operates on Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 8:00pm and on Saturday from 8:00am to 6:00pm. No service is provided on Sunday or statutory holidays.[17] There is also an accessible transit service available for residents with physical and cognitive disabilities called The Freedom Express Service. [18]
As a flag stop, Via Rail's The Canadian calls at the Hinton station three times per week, in each direction.
Health care
editEmergency and other medical care is provided at the Hinton Healthcare Centre.
Education
editEducation in Hinton includes:[19]
- Grande Yellowhead Public School Division No. 77
- Crescent Valley Elementary School (K-7)
- Mountain View Elementary School (K-7 English, French)
- Harry Collinge High School (8-12 English, French)
- Evergreen Catholic Separate School Division
- St. Gregory Catholic Elementary School (K-4)
- Father Gerard Redmond Community Catholic School (5-12)
Media
editNewspapers
editOne weekly newspaper is produced in Hinton; the Hinton Voice, a weekly independent newspaper that started up in June 2009.
Radio
edit
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|
Notable people
edit- Bob Nystrom (born 1952), Swedish-Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Dave Scatchard (born 1976), professional National Hockey League ice hockey player
- Glenn Taylor (born 1961/62), former leader of the Alberta Party, former mayor
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Hinton". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
- ^ "Location and History Profile: Town of Hinton" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. 17 June 2016. p. 330. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ^ a b Province of Alberta (27 March 1957). "Order in Council (O.C.) 494-57, New Town Established (Amalgamation of Hinton and Drinnan)" (PDF). Retrieved 23 April 2010.
- ^ "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)" (PDF) (PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
- ^ "Census Subdivision (Municipal) Population Estimates, July 1, 2016 to 2022, Alberta". Alberta Municipal Affairs. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ "Dumanski, Macyk, Veauvy and Lindsay, 1972. Soil Survey and Land Evaluation of the Hinton-Edson Area, Alberta" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2015.
- ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ "A History of Hinton". Archived from the original on 11 February 2004. Retrieved 10 January 2004.
- ^ "Hinton Train Collision". Town of Hinton. Archived from the original on 16 April 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
- ^ Alberta Municipal Affairs (15 September 2009). "Alberta 2009 Official Population List" (PDF). Retrieved 14 September 2010.
- ^ "Hinton's Population is Up!" (PDF). Town of Hinton. 25 July 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
- ^ "Beaver Boardwalk | Hinton, AB - Official Website". Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- ^ "Hinton Transit | Hinton, AB - Official Website". www.hinton.ca. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
- ^ "Hinton Transit | Hinton, AB - Official Website". www.hinton.ca. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
- ^ "Education". Retrieved 20 August 2023.
External links
edit
Media related to Hinton, Alberta at Wikimedia Commons
Hinton travel guide from Wikivoyage- Official website
