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Coordinates: 49°30′8″N 112°31′0″W / 49.50222°N 112.51667°W / 49.50222; -112.51667 (Stirling)
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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
<!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available-->
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info ---------------->
|name = Stirling
|name = Stirling
|official_name = Village of Stirling
|official_name = Village of Stirling
|other_name =
|other_name =
|native_name = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|native_name = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|nickname = The Junction Town (1912)<ref>Stirling the Junction Town [http://lethbridgeherald.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewer.aspx?img=62674011&firstvisit=true&src=search&currentResult=0&currentPage=0 Lethbridge Herald Archives] Retrieved on 2008-09-28.</ref> <br> Village of Gardens<ref>Village of Gardens [http://lethbridgeherald.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewer.aspx?img=62609245&firstvisit=true&src=search&currentResult=3&currentPage=0 Lethbridge Herald Archives] Retrieved on 2009-01-15.</ref> <br> A Town of Two Towns
|nickname = The Junction Town (1912)<ref>Stirling the Junction Town [http://lethbridgeherald.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewer.aspx?img=62674011&firstvisit=true&src=search&currentResult=0&currentPage=0 Lethbridge Herald Archives]{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Retrieved on September 28, 2008.</ref> <br />Village of Gardens<ref>Village of Gardens [http://lethbridgeherald.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewer.aspx?img=62609245&firstvisit=true&src=search&currentResult=3&currentPage=0 Lethbridge Herald Archives] Retrieved on January 15, 2009.</ref> <br />A Town of Two Towns
|settlement_type = Village
|settlement_type = [[List of villages in Alberta|Village]]
|motto = Experience The History
|motto = Experience The History
|image_skyline = Galt Historic Railway Park; Stirling, AB.jpg
|image_skyline = Galt Historic Railway Park; Stirling, AB.jpg
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|image_flag = Flag of Stirling Ab.png
|image_flag = Flag of Stirling Ab.png
|flag_size = 145px
|flag_size = 145px
|image_seal =
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|image_shield = Stirling-coat of Arms.jpg
|image_shield = Stirling-coat of Arms.jpg
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|pushpin_map = Alberta
|pushpin_map_caption = Location of Stirling in [[Alberta]]
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|dot_map_caption = Location of Stirling in [[Alberta]]
|dot_x = 112 |dot_y = 246
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||coordinates_region = CA-AB
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flag|Canada}}
|subdivision_name = Canada
|subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
|subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Alberta}}
|subdivision_name1 = [[Alberta]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of regions of Canada#Alberta|Region]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of regions of Canada#Alberta|Region]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Southern Alberta]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Southern Alberta]]
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|subdivision_name3 = [[Division No. 2, Alberta|2]]
|subdivision_name3 = [[Division No. 2, Alberta|2]]
|subdivision_type4 = [[List of municipal districts in Alberta|Municipal district]]
|subdivision_type4 = [[List of municipal districts in Alberta|Municipal district]]
|subdivision_name4 = [[Warner County No. 5, Alberta|County of Warner No. 5]]
|subdivision_name4 = [[County of Warner No. 5]]
|government_footnotes =
|government_footnotes = <ref name="council">{{AMOS}}</ref>
|government_type =
|government_type =
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = Jason Edwards
|leader_name = Trevor Lewington
|leader_title1 = Governing body
|leader_title1 = Governing body
|leader_name1 = Stirling Village Council
|leader_name1 = Stirling Village Council
|leader_title2 = CAO
|leader_title2 = [[Chief administrative officer|CAO]]
|leader_name2 = J. Scott Barton
|leader_name2 = Scott Donselaar
|leader_title3 = [[Members of the Canadian House of Commons|MP]]
|leader_title3 = [[Current members of the Canadian House of Commons|MP]]
|leader_name3 = [[Jim Hillyer (politician)|Jim Hillyer]]
|leader_name3 = [[Glen Motz]]
|leader_title4 = [[Legislative Assembly of Alberta|MLA]]
|leader_title4 = [[Legislative Assembly of Alberta|MLA]]
|leader_name4 = [[Gary Bikman]]
|leader_name4 = [[Grant Hunter]]
|established_title = Founder
|established_title = Founded
|established_date = [[Johann Theodore Brandley|Theodore Brandley]]
|established_date = May 5, 1899
|established_title1 = Incorporated<ref name=AMAVillageProfiles>{{cite web | url=http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/cfml/MunicipalProfiles/basicReport/VILG.PDF | publisher=[[Alberta Municipal Affairs]] | title=Location and History Profile: Village of Stirling | page=562 | date=October 21, 2016 | access-date=October 23, 2016}}</ref>
|established_title2 = Founded
|established_date2 = 1899
|established_date1 = &nbsp;
|established_title2 = &nbsp;•&nbsp;[[List of villages in Alberta|Village]]
|established_title3 = Incorporated
|established_date3 = September 3, 1901
|established_date2 = September 3, 1901
| area_footnotes = &nbsp;(2021)<ref name=2021census/>
|area_magnitude =
|unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
| area_land_km2 = 2.7
| area_urban_km2 =
|area_footnotes = &nbsp;(2011)<ref name=2011censusABmunis/>
|area_total_km2 = 2.64
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_footnotes = <ref name=2021census/><ref name=2021censusPC>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810001101 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=February 13, 2022}}</ref>
|area_land_km2 =
|area_water_km2 =
| population_note =
| population_total = 1164 <!-- 2021 StatCan census population only per [[WP:CANPOP]]; do not replace with latest municipal census population count; this municipal census population count can go in the population_blank1_title and population_blank1 parameters further below and can be noted in the article body (so long as it doesn't replace the 2021 StatCan census population in the body). -->
|area_total_sq_mi =
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| population_density_km2 = 431.8
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|population_as_of = 2011
|population_footnotes = <ref name=2011censusABmunis/>
|population_note =
|population_total = 1090 <!-- 2011 StatsCan population only; latest municipal census result or subsequent estimates can be noted in the article body.-->
|population_density_km2 = 413.6
|population_density_sq_mi =
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|population_density_metro_km2 =
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|timezone = [[Mountain Standard Time|MST]]
|timezone = [[Mountain Standard Time|MST]]
|utc_offset = -7
|utc_offset = −7
|timezone_DST =
|timezone_DST = MDT
|utc_offset_DST =
|utc_offset_DST = −6
|coordinates = {{coord|49|30|08|N|112|31|00|W|region:CA-AB|display=inline}}
|latd= 49|latm= 30|lats= 08|latNS= N
|longd= 112|longm= 31|longs= 00|longEW= W
|elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
|elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
|elevation_m = 935
|elevation_m = 935
|elevation_ft =
|postal_code_type = Postal code span
|postal_code_type = Postal code span
|postal_code = [[List of T Postal Codes of Canada|TOK 2EO]]
|postal_code = [[List of T Postal Codes of Canada|TOK 2EO]]
|area_code = [[Area code 403|+1-403]]
|area_code = [[Area code 403|+1-403]]
|blank_name = [[List of Alberta provincial highways|Highways]]
|blank_name = [[List of Alberta provincial highways|Highways]]
|blank_info = [[Alberta Highway 4|Highway 4]]<br>[[Alberta Highway 61|Highway 61]]<br>[[Alberta Highway 846|Highway 846]]
|blank_info = [[Alberta Highway 4|Highway 4]]<br />[[Alberta Highway 61|Highway 61]]<br />[[Alberta Highway 846|Highway 846]]
|blank1_name = Waterways
|blank1_name = Waterways
|blank1_info = [[Etzikom Coulee]]<br>[[Kipp Coulee]]<br>[[Stirling Lake]]<br>[[Milk River Ridge Reservoir]]
|blank1_info = [[Etzikom Coulee]]<br>[[Kipp Coulee]]<br>Stirling Lake<br>[[Milk River Ridge Reservoir]]
|blank2_name = [[List of provincial historic sites of Alberta|Historic Sites]]
|blank2_name = [[List of provincial historic sites of Alberta|Historic Sites]]
|blank2_info = [[Galt Historic Railway Park]]<br>[[Michelsen Farmstead]]<br>[[William T. Ogden House]]
|blank2_info = [[Galt Historic Railway Park]]<br>[[Michelsen Farmstead]]<br>[[William T. Ogden House]]
|website = [http://www.stirling.ca Village of Stirling]
|website = {{official website|www.stirling.ca}}
|footnotes =
|footnotes =
}}
}} <!-- Infobox ends -->


'''Stirling''' is a [[village]] in the [[Warner County No. 5, Alberta|County of Warner No. 5]], [[Alberta]], [[Canada]]. The village is located on [[Alberta Highway 4|Highway 4]], approximately {{convert|31|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Lethbridge]] and {{convert|72|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of the [[United States-Canada border]].
'''Stirling''' is a [[village]] in [[southern Alberta]], Canada that is surrounded by the [[County of Warner No. 5]]. The village is located on [[Alberta Highway 4|Highway 4]], approximately {{convert|31|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Lethbridge]] and {{convert|72|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–US border]].


The Village of Stirling is also referred to as [[Stirling Agricultural Village]] due to its designation as a [[National Historic Sites of Canada|National Historic Site of Canada]]. It is one of only three Canadian communities designated as such, [[Quebec City]] and [[Louisbourg, Nova Scotia]] being the other two.{{citation needed|date=February 2011}}
The Village of Stirling is also referred to as [[Stirling Agricultural Village]] due to its designation as a [[National Historic Sites of Canada|National Historic Site of Canada]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=1757|title=Stirling Agricultural Village National Historic Site of Canada|website=www.pc.gc.ca|language=en|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
[[Image:Pioneer Days Pagent - Stirling, Alberta - July 24, 1930.jpg|thumb|left|900px|[[Pioneer Days]] Pagent, July 24, 1930.]]
[[Image:Theodore Brandley.png|thumb|left|100px|[[Johann Theodore Brandley|Theodore Brandley]]]]
[[Image:Theodore Brandley.png|thumb|left|100px|[[Johann Theodore Brandley|Theodore Brandley]]]]
[[File:L.D.S.Church1905.StirlingAlberta.png|thumb|left|100px|Stirling's first LDS [[meeting house]] and community hall c. 1905]]
[[File:L.D.S.Church1905.StirlingAlberta.png|thumb|left|100px|Stirling's first LDS [[meeting house]] and community hall c. 1905]]
As railway developed in Southern Alberta throughout the 1880s, the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] (CPR) built a line from [[Calgary]] to [[Fort Macleod, Alberta|Fort Macleod]], and the Alberta Railway and Coal Company (ARCC) constructed a [[narrow gauge]] line from Lethbridge to [[Medicine Hat]] to supply coal to the CPR.<ref>[http://railways.library.ualberta.ca/Chapters-7-2/ The Galt Enterprises]</ref> In 1899, the ARCC built another narrow gauge line from Lethbridge to [[Great Falls, Montana]] through the [[Coutts, Alberta|Coutts]]-[[Sweetgrass, Montana|Sweetgrass]] border crossing, closely following the route of the old [[Macleod-Benton Trail|Whoop-up Trail]].<ref>[http://www.crowsnest.bc.ca/construction01.html The Beginning: Narrow Gauge to Lethbridge]</ref>
As the development of Railway took place throughout the 1880s in [[Southern Alberta]], at the time [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] (CPR) constructed a railroad from the city of [[Calgary]] to [[Fort Macleod]]. The [[North Western Coal and Navigation Company|Alberta Railway and Coal Company]] (ARCC) built a [[narrow gauge]] railway from Lethbridge to [[Medicine Hat]] in order to supply coal to the CPR.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://railways.library.ualberta.ca/Chapters-7-2/|title=Atlas of Alberta Railways -- The Canadian Pacific Railway|website=railways.library.ualberta.ca}}</ref>
In 1899, the ARCC built another narrow gauge railway from Lethbridge, Alberta to [[Great Falls, Montana]] through the [[Coutts, Alberta|Coutts]]-[[Sweetgrass, Montana|Sweetgrass]] border crossing, closely following the route of the old [[Macleod-Benton Trail|Whoop-up Trail]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.crowsnest.bc.ca/construction01.html|title=The Beginning: Narrow Gauge to Lethbridge}}</ref>

Originally this railway was not built to promote colonization, but to open additional markets for [[Alexander Tilloch Galt|Galt Coal]] in Montana. There was a limited amount of ranching along the route and no agricultural settlement. The ARCC opened the line to advertise land in parcels of 80-6401 acres for [[Cattle|stock]]. The first station along the line south of Lethbridge was located near what was then known as "18 Mile Lake" (18 miles from Lethbridge),<ref>Book: [https://www.jstor.org/pss/1504738 The Mormon Cultural Landscape at Stirling Agricultural Village, Alberta] By Robert M. Graham</ref> for locomotives to replenish water for their engines. This station siding was named after J. A. Stirling, an executive in a company in [[England]] that helped finance the ARCC. At that time, there were no people or buildings in the region, with the exception of station employees who lived in the [[Section house (railway)|section houses]] along the railway.

Alberta Railway & Coal Company owned millions of acres of semiarid dry-land throughout Southern Alberta. This land was only suitable for ranching, not many new settlers saw potential in the dry landscape.

Alberta Railway and Coal Company liked how [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) was implementing irrigation in the [[Salt Lake Valley]], Utah and nearby [[Cardston, Alberta]].{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

In 1899, it was decided to call upon the LDS Church to help colonize the area. As part of the agreement, the LDS church and the Alberta Railway & Irrigation Company (''Successor to Alberta Railway & Coal Co.'') was to build an irrigation canal as well, establish two communities, within the year end of 1899. The Community of Stirling and [[Magrath, Alberta|Magrath]]. Upon completion of the St. Mary's Irrigation Canal, the Church was granted thousands of acres of land, which was given as payment to its missionaries, who worked on building the canal.

With the arrival of [[irrigation]] on November 14, 1899,<ref>{{cite book|last=Hicken|first=John R|title=Events Leading to the Settlement of the Communities of Cardston, Magrath, Stirling and Raymond, Alberta|year=1968|publisher=Utah State University|location=Logon, Utah|page=78|url=http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/loc_hist/page.aspx?id=271305}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> the Village of Stirling quickly developed adjacent to the ARCC and station house.

Today, the St. Mary's Main Canal is 312&nbsp;km long and continues to be a vital source of irrigated water for much of Southern Alberta.

===National Historic Site status===

On May 5, 1899, a small band of 30 [[Mormon]] settlers led by [[Theodore Brandley]] of [[Richfield, Utah]], arrived at Stirling station, they were greeted by [[Charles Ora Card]] of Cardston.

The day after his arrival, Brandley with the help of Card inspected and planned out the new town site of Stirling.

Like many Mormon settlements, Stirling was designed following [[Joseph Smith]]'s "[[Plat of Zion]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://urbanplanning.library.cornell.edu/DOCS/smith.htm|title=SMITH, PLAN FOR CITY OF ZION|website=urbanplanning.library.cornell.edu}}</ref> The village, originally made up of 47 blocks and 1 "Reserved" block, within one square mile {{convert|640|acre|km2}}.

Each block was divided into {{convert|10|acre|m2}} with 8, {{convert|1.2|acre|m2}} lots, each measuring, {{convert|320|feet|m}} by {{convert|160|feet|m}}. A surveyed street, 100&nbsp;ft wide with irrigation canal, surrounded each block. Stirling is unique, as each block has a 20&nbsp;ft wide lane or alleyway separating the blocks, giving each residence access to a back alleyway.


Also unique to Stirling is its Town Square, located at the northeast corner of the village. Originally made up of 4 "half blocks"; blocks, 1, 2, 4, 15, 17,1 8, were divided into 44, {{convert|30|feet|m}} by {{convert|130|feet|m}} commercial lots with alleyway between. Blocks 3 and 16 were divided into 25, {{convert|30|feet|m}} by {{convert|130|feet|m}} commercial lots with a {{convert|280|feet|m}} by {{convert|260|feet|m}} block south of block 3 and north of block 16. This block was reserved (R) for a town park or civic buildings.
The line was not built to promote colonization, but to open additional markets for Lethbridge coal in Montana. There was a limited amount of ranching along the route and no agricultural settlement. The ARCC opened the line to advertise land in parcels of 80-6401 acres for [[Cattle|stock]]. The first station along the line south of Lethbridge was located near what was than known as "[[Stirling Lake|18 Mile Lake]]" (18 miles from Lethbridge),<ref>Book: [http://www.jstor.org/pss/1504738 The Mormon Cultural Landscape at Stirling Agricultural Village, Alberta] By Robert M. Graham</ref> so the trains would have water for the engines. This station was named after J. A. Stirling, an executive in a company in [[England]] that helped finance the ARCC. At that time, there were no people or buildings in the region, with the exception of station employees who lived in the [[Section house (railway)|section house]].


The reasoning for locating the town square in the corner of the village, was because at that time this location was nearest to the original Alberta Railway & Coal Co. station.<ref>A Cultural Landscape History of Stirling, Alberta by Elise A. Corbet</ref> Whereas, Joseph Smith's ideal Plat of Zion, planned for the town's square or business center and civic buildings to be located at the centre of the settlement, surrounded by large residential lots, giving residents enough room for a house, barn and shelters for animals. Irrigation water was accessed at the canal running along each street, giving residence the opportunity to grow and water a large garden and raise livestock. For this reason, Stirling was known as the "Village of Gardens". These canals were used up until 1968 when the village of Stirling [[public works]] installed fresh drinking water and sewer lines to each property.
With the arrival of [[irrigation]] in 1899, the Village of Stirling developed adjacent to the ARCC and station house.
Of the 47 blocks, Stirling was laid out with 32 blocks divided into 8, {{convert|1.2|acre|m2}} residential lots with an alleyway separating lots 1-4 & 5–8. 13 of the 47 blocks, bordering the western and southern borders of the village, were used by residents for agriculture purposes and never divided.


Although many original Mormon Settlements throughout Southern Alberta were planned using the Plat of Zion, Stirling presently is known to be the best preserved Mormon Settlement in Canada, still following the Plat of Zion. As so, the village of Stirling has been recognized as a [[List of national historic sites of Canada|National Historic Site of Canada]]<ref name=":0" /> for being the best-preserved example of this layout in Canada, and designated as such on June 22, 1989.<ref name=":0" />
On May 5, 1899, a small band of 30 [[Mormon]] settlers lead by [[Theodore Brandley]] of [[Richfield, Utah]], arrived at Stirling station. Theodore Brandley, with the help of [[Charles Ora Card]], began planning the layout of the new town. The town site was to be made up of one square mile (640 [[acres]]), then divided into lots of {{convert|10|acre|m2}}; each with a surveyed road around the entire area with a lane running north and south, dividing it into two parcels. The parcels were again divided, east and west, making four lots, each {{convert|2.5|acre|m2}}, giving the residents room to build homes, barns and shelters for animals, with large gardens. Theodore planned the town site after the [[Plat of Zion]],<ref>[http://www.library.cornell.edu/Reps/DOCS/smith.htm Plat Zion] of the city of [[Zion]], by [[Joseph Smith, Jr]]. Retrieved on 2007-08-02</ref> which Stirling still follows today, and is recognized as the most well-preserved, Canadian example of the Plat of Zion. For this reason, Stirling is known as ''Stirling Agricultural Village''.<ref>Parks Canada [http://www.pc.gc.ca/docs/r/ab/sites/stirling_e.asp Village of Stirling National Historic Site of Canada], Parks Canada, accessed 2008-02-26.</ref>


Stirling is one of only two communities that owed its existence to a partnership between [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] and [[Charles Alexander Magrath|Charles A. Magrath]] of the [[North Western Coal and Navigation Company]],<ref>[http://www.prairierails.net/nwcnco.htm North Western Coal and Navigation Company] Retrieved on 2007-08-02</ref> and it is one of only three communities designated as a [[National Historic Site of Canada]].<ref>[http://www.pc.gc.ca/docs/r/ab/sites/stirling.aspx Parks Canada - Stirling Agricultural Village]</ref>
Stirling is one of only two communities that owed its existence to a partnership between [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] and [[Charles Alexander Magrath|Charles A. Magrath]] of the Alberta Railway & Coal Company.<ref>[http://www.prairierails.net/nwcnco.htm North Western Coal and Navigation Company]{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }} Retrieved on August 2, 2007</ref>


=== New Stirling ===
=== New Stirling ===
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{{main|Maybutt, Alberta}}
{{main|Maybutt, Alberta}}


Construction of the ''St. Mary Railway'', beginning in Stirling and ending in [[Cardston, Alberta|Cardston]] began in 1900 and was finished in 1902. The Canadian Pacific Railway took over all assets of Alberta Railway and Irrigation company (successor of Alberta Railway Coal Company) in 1912<ref>[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001322 Canadian Pacific Railway] History of the Railway. Retrieved on 2008-07-05.</ref> and started construction of a new line east of Stirling to Saskatchewan. Stirling had now become an important [[railway junction]] in Southern Alberta with rail lines from north, south, east and west.
Construction of the ''St. Mary Railway'', beginning in Stirling and ending in [[Cardston, Alberta|Cardston]] began in 1900 and was finished in 1902. The Canadian Pacific Railway took over all assets of [[North Western Coal and Navigation Company|Alberta Railway and Irrigation company]] (successor of Alberta Railway Coal Company) in 1912<ref>[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-pacific-railway/ Canadian Pacific Railway] History of the Railway. Retrieved on July 5, 2008.</ref> and started construction of a new line east of Stirling to Saskatchewan. Stirling had now become an important [[railway junction]] in Southern Alberta with rail lines from north, south, east and west.


To accommodate the expansion of the railway the CPR needed more space for yards and shunting. [[Kipp Coulee]] near the original station did not have enough room to expand, so the CPR moved the station one mile north. This created an ideal location for a new town. A townsite was planned and lots were advertised for sale in what was called New Stirling also known as New Town.<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canab/alberta-info-placenames3.html Alberta Place Names] - [[Maybutt, Alberta]]</ref> Due to confusion between the two post offices in Stirling and New Stirling, the name was changed to [[Maybutt, Alberta|Maybutt]]. Mr. Fisher, who was the original owner and planner of the townsite, decided to rename the town after his wife, Mrs. "May Butt".<ref>Canadian Heritage Parks Canada - Book: A Cultural Landscape History of Stirling, Alberta - By Elise A. Corbet</ref>
To accommodate the expansion of the railway the CPR needed more space for yards and shunting. [[Kipp Coulee]] near the original station did not have enough room to expand, so the CPR moved the station one mile north. This created an ideal location for a new town. A town site was planned and lots were advertised for sale in what was called New Stirling also known as New Town.<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canab/alberta-info-placenames3.html Alberta Place Names] - [[Maybutt, Alberta]]</ref> Due to confusion between the two post offices in Stirling and New Stirling, the name was changed to [[Maybutt, Alberta|Maybutt]]. Mr. Fisher, who was the original owner and planner of the '''town site syndicate of Stirling''', decided to rename the town after his wife, Mrs. "May Butt".<ref>Canadian Heritage Parks Canada - Book: A Cultural Landscape History of Stirling, Alberta - By Elise A. Corbet</ref>


A large hotel; the [[Prairie Queen Hotel]], a [[Presbyterian]] Church, and more a variety of other businesses and houses quickly sprung up shortly after land was opened up. The community even had its own newspaper; the "New Stirling Star". The town did not flourish, and eventually buildings were moved away, the school was closed and in the 1950s the post office closed its doors.
A large hotel; the Prairie Queen Hotel, a [[Presbyterian]] Church, and a large variety of other businesses and houses quickly sprung up shortly after land was opened up. The community even had its own newspaper; the "New Stirling Star". The town did not flourish and eventually, buildings were moved away; the school, that was never built was closed, before speculation of building one had failed. By the 1950s the post office closed its doors.


Maybutt has slowly died off making it a ghost town with few original buildings remaining.<ref>[[Maybutt, Alberta|New Stirling]] [http://www.ghosttownscanada.ca/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/952 Picture Gallery Ghost towns of Canada] Retrieved on 2008-07-05.</ref> In recent years homes have been moved into Maybutt as small hobby farms and acreages.
Maybutt slowly died off making it a forgotten ghost town with few original buildings remaining.<ref>[[Maybutt, Alberta|New Stirling]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080322011754/http://www.ghosttownscanada.ca/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/952 Picture Gallery Ghost towns of Canada] Retrieved on September 14, 2017.</ref> In recent years homes have been moved into Maybutt as small hobby farms and acreages.


== Geography and climate ==
== Geography and climate ==
Stirling is in the [[Warner County No. 5, Alberta|County of Warner No. 5]], and lies 31&nbsp;km (19&nbsp;mi) south-east of Lethbridge, at the junction of [[Alberta Highway 4|Highway 4]] and [[Alberta Highway 846|Highway 846]]. The [[Milk River Ridge]] is south of the village, and [[Etzikom Coulee]] and [[Kipp Coulee]] are north of it.
Stirling is in the County of Warner No. 5, and lies 31&nbsp;km (19&nbsp;mi) south-east of Lethbridge, at the junction of [[Alberta Highway 4|Highway 4]] and [[Alberta Highway 846|Highway 846]]. The [[Milk River Ridge]] is south of the village, and [[Etzikom Coulee]] and [[Kipp Coulee]] are north of it.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 163: Line 149:


=== Climate ===
=== Climate ===
Stirling experiences a [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''[[Semi-arid climate#Cold Semi-arid climates|BSk]]''). Stirling is subject to [[Chinook wind|chinooks]], which bring temperatures in mid-winter above 10 °C (50 °F). Chinooks bring more than 200 days of wind a year.<ref>[http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/CAAB0291 Weather] Environment Canada. Retrieved on 2008-08-26.</ref>
Stirling experiences a [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''[[Semi-arid climate#Cold semi-arid climates|BSk]]''). Stirling is subject to [[Chinook wind|chinooks]], which bring temperatures in mid-winter above 10&nbsp;°C (50&nbsp;°F). Chinooks bring more than 200 days of wind a year.<ref>[http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/CAAB0291 Weather] Environment Canada. Retrieved on August 26, 2008.</ref>


{{Weather box
{{Weather box
Line 182: Line 168:
|Dec record high C = 19.6
|Dec record high C = 19.6
|year record high C = 39.4
|year record high C = 39.4
|Jan high C = -1.8
|Jan high C = −1.8
|Feb high C = 1.5
|Feb high C = 1.5
|Mar high C = 6
|Mar high C = 6
Line 193: Line 179:
|Oct high C = 14
|Oct high C = 14
|Nov high C = 4.3
|Nov high C = 4.3
|Dec high C = -0.2
|Dec high C = −0.2
|year high C = 12.3
|year high C = 12.3
|Jan mean C = -7.8
|Jan mean C = −7.8
|Feb mean C = -4.6
|Feb mean C = −4.6
|Mar mean C = -0.2
|Mar mean C = −0.2
|Apr mean C = 6.0
|Apr mean C = 6.0
|May mean C = 11.3
|May mean C = 11.3
Line 205: Line 191:
|Sep mean C = 12.6
|Sep mean C = 12.6
|Oct mean C = 7.0
|Oct mean C = 7.0
|Nov mean C = -2.5
|Nov mean C = −2.5
|Dec mean C = -6.1
|Dec mean C = −6.1
|year mean C = 5.7
|year mean C = 5.7
|Jan low C = -13.8
|Jan low C = −13.8
|Feb low C = -10.7
|Feb low C = −10.7
|Mar low C = -6.5
|Mar low C = −6.5
|Apr low C = -0.9
|Apr low C = −0.9
|May low C = 4.2
|May low C = 4.2
|Jun low C = 8.6
|Jun low C = 8.6
Line 218: Line 204:
|Sep low C = 5.1
|Sep low C = 5.1
|Oct low C = 0
|Oct low C = 0
|Nov low C = -7.2
|Nov low C = −7.2
|Dec low C = -12
|Dec low C = −12
|year low C = -1.1
|year low C = −1.1
|Jan record low C = -42.8
|Jan record low C = −42.8
|Feb record low C = -42.2
|Feb record low C = −42.2
|Mar record low C = -38
|Mar record low C = −38
|Apr record low C = -25.6
|Apr record low C = −25.6
|May record low C = -11.7
|May record low C = −11.7
|Jun record low C = -1.7
|Jun record low C = −1.7
|Jul record low C = 0.9
|Jul record low C = 0.9
|Aug record low C = -1
|Aug record low C = −1
|Sep record low C = -9.4
|Sep record low C = −9.4
|Oct record low C = -26.7
|Oct record low C = −26.7
|Nov record low C = -34.7
|Nov record low C = −34.7
|Dec record low C = -42.8
|Dec record low C = −42.8
|year record low C = -42.8
|year record low C = −42.8
|Jan precipitation mm = 17.6
|Jan precipitation mm = 17.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 11.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 11.6
Line 247: Line 233:
|Dec precipitation mm = 16.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 16.7
|year precipitation mm = 386.3
|year precipitation mm = 386.3
|source 1 = [[Environment Canada]]<ref name= "climate">[[Environment Canada]]—[http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=ALTA&StationName=&SearchType=&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=2263& Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000], accessed 23 March 2010</ref>
|source 1 = [[Environment Canada]]<ref name= "climate">[[Environment Canada]]—[http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=ALTA&StationName=&SearchType=&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=2263& Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000], accessed March 23, 2010</ref>
|date=August 2010
|date=August 2010
}}
}}
Line 254: Line 240:
[[Image:Stirling Alberta.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Stirling Elevator|Stirling Grain Terminal]] (Super grain elevator)]]
[[Image:Stirling Alberta.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Stirling Elevator|Stirling Grain Terminal]] (Super grain elevator)]]


=== Agriculture ===<!--[[Stirling Elevator]] redirects here-->
'''Agriculture'''
Historically, Stirling's economy has relied mainly on [[agriculture]] as a main industry. The community still has strong roots to agriculture and has become one of the 21 communities that have joined the South Grow Regional Initiative,<ref>South Grow Regional Initiative [http://www.southgrow.com/_data/profiles/communityprofilestirling.pdf "Stirling - Community Profile"]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Retrieved on January 4, 2008</ref> a proposal to accelerate and enhance [[economic development]] and [[sustainability]] for communities within the SouthGrow Regional Initiative region. Three quarters of a mile north east of town stands a 200 foot tall [[Container terminal|concrete terminal grain elevator]]. The large elevator was built between 1998 and 1999 at a cost of $11 million and was one of the first elevators of its kind in the area. The elevator was built with a capacity of 17,500 [[metric tonnes]].


=== Other industries ===
Historically, Stirling's economy has relied mainly on [[agriculture]] as a main industry. The community still has strong roots to agriculture and has become one of the 21 communities that have joined the [[South Grow Regional Initiative]],<ref>[[South Grow Regional Initiative]] [http://www.southgrow.com/_data/profiles/communityprofilestirling.pdf "Stirling - Community Profile"] Retrieved on 2008-01-04</ref> a proposal to accelerate and enhance [[economic development]] and [[sustainability]] for communities within the SouthGrow Regional Initiative region.
Stirling's location and rich history makes [[tourism]] another main industry. Stirling has a variety of businesses<ref>[http://stirling.ca/business/business-directory/ Stirling Business Directory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616150930/http://stirling.ca/business/business-directory/ |date=June 16, 2012 }}. Retrieved on August 31, 2008.</ref> and [[recreation]], such as a [[convenience store]], a wooden crib [[grain elevator]] now used as a [[hemp]] plant, a truck and tractor dealer, a pool, a community-owned campground, and a library, two museums and a community park known as Centennial Park.

[[Image:Stirling 569.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Last of three, the former [[Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd.|P&H]] [[grain elevator|elevator]] now used as a [[Hemp]] plant.]]
'''Tourism'''

Stirling's location and rich history makes [[tourism]] another main industry. Stirling has a variety of businesses<ref>[http://stirling.ca/business/business-directory/ Stirling Business Directory]. Retrieved on 2008-08-31.</ref> and [[recreation]], such as a [[convenience store]], large [[Container terminal|concrete terminal grain elevator]], a wooden crib [[grain elevator]] now used as a [[hemp]] plant, a truck and tractor dealer, a pool, a community-owned campground, and a library, two museums and a community park known as [[Centennial Park (Stirling)|Centennial Park]].
[[Image:Stirling 569.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Last of three, the former [[Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd.|P&H]] [[grain elevator|elevator]] now used as a [[Hemp]] plant.]]


== Demographics ==
== Demographics ==
In the [[Canada 2011 Census|2011 Census]], the Village of Stirling had a population of 1,090 living in 327 of its 352 total dwellings, a 18.3% change from its 2006 population of 921. With a land area of {{convert|2.64|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|1090|2.64|km2|sqmi}} in 2011.<ref name=2011censusABmunis>{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table-Tableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=51&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48&CMA=0 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=2012-02-08 | accessdate=2012-02-08}}</ref> At its current population, Stirling is the [[List of villages in Alberta|largest village]] in the province and is eligible for town status. According to Alberta's ''Municipal Government Act'', a village is eligible for town status when it reaches 1,000 residents.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?page=m26.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779745739 | title=Municipal Government Act | publisher=Alberta Queen's Printer | accessdate=2012-09-05}}</ref>
In the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 Census of Population]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], the Village of Stirling had a population of 1,164 living in 360 of its 379 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:1164-978}}|978|1}} from its 2016 population of 978. With a land area of {{cvt|2.7|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|1164|2.7|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=2021census>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000248 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities) | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=February 9, 2022}}</ref>


The population of the Village of Stirling according to its 2010 [[Census#Alberta|municipal census]] is 1,157,<ref name=2010pop>{{cite web | url=http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/msb/2010pop.pdf | title=2010 Official Population List | publisher=Alberta Municipal Affairs | date=2010-09-15 | accessdate=2011-01-19}}</ref> a 4.6% increase over its 2009 municipal census population of 1,106.<ref name=2009opl>{{cite web |url=http://municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/documents/LGS/2009pop.pdf |publisher=Alberta Municipal Affairs |title=2009 Official Population List |date=2009-09-15 |accessdate=2010-09-14}}</ref>
The population of the Village of Stirling according to its [[Alberta municipal censuses, 2017|2017 municipal census]] is 1,269,<ref name=2017MAPL>{{cite book | url=http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/2017%20MAPL%20Final.pdf | title=2017 Municipal Affairs Population List | publisher=[[Alberta Municipal Affairs]] | isbn=978-1-4601-3652-2 | access-date=January 13, 2018}}</ref> a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:1269-1147}}|1147|1}} from its [[Alberta municipal censuses, 2013|2013 municipal census]] population of 1,147.<ref name=2016MAPL>{{cite book | url=http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/2016_Municipal_Affairs_Population_List.pdf | title=2016 Municipal Affairs Population List | publisher=[[Alberta Municipal Affairs]] | isbn=978-1-4601-3127-5 | access-date=January 13, 2018}}</ref>


In the [[2006 Canada Census|2006 Census]], Stirling had a population of 921 living in 299 [[house|dwellings]], a 5.0% increase from 2001. The village has a land area of {{convert|2.64|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and a [[population density]] of {{convert|349.5|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name=statcan2006>{{Cite web| url= http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4802009&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=Stirling&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=&GeoCode=4802009 | title= Stirling - Community Profile | author= Statistics Canada| authorlink= Statistics Canada| year= [[Canada 2006 Census|Census 2006]] | accessdate= 2007-06-09}}</ref>
In the [[Canada 2016 Census|2016 Census of Population]] conducted by Statistics Canada, the Village of Stirling recorded a population of 978 living in 308 of its 375 total private dwellings, a {{percentage|{{#expr:978-1090}}|1090|1}} change from its 2011 population of 1,090. With a land area of {{convert|2.71|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|978|2.71|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2016.<ref name=2016censusABmunis>{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta) | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=February 8, 2017 | access-date=February 8, 2017}}</ref>

According to the [[2001 Canadian census]],<ref name=statcan2001>{{Cite web| url= http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4802009&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=Stirling&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= | title= Stirling - Community Profile | author= Statistics Canada| authorlink= Statistics Canada| year= [[Canada 2001 Census|Census 2001]] | accessdate= 2007-10-30}}</ref> of those respondents who indicated religious affiliation, all but 13% considered themselves [[Christian]].

*Protestant: 78% (mostly [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|LDS]])
*Catholic: 9%
*No religious affiliation: 13%
*Christian Orthodox: 0%
*Christian (unspecified denomination): 0%


== Government ==
== Government ==
{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; width:400; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;"
The village is governed by a village council composed of a [[mayor]], four councillors and a village manager.<ref name=Stirling>{{Cite web| url=http://stirling.ca/administration/council/ | title= Stirling Village Council | author= The Village of Stirling | authorlink= | accessdate= 2007-10-30}}</ref> Municipal elections are held every three years.
|+'''Stirling federal election results'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=rep/off/44gedata&document=bypro&lang=e |title=Official Voting Results Raw Data (poll by poll results in Stirling)|date=April 7, 2022 |publisher=Elections Canada |access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref>
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[New Democratic Party|New Democratic]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Green Party of Canada|Green]]
|-
| rowspan="2" style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative}}|
! [[2021 Canadian federal election|2021]]
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|background}} | 4%
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| ''30''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|background}} | '''75%'''
| style="text-align:right; background:#6495ED;"| ''535''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|background}} | 5%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''37''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|background}} | 2%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''11''
|-
! [[2019 Canadian federal election|2019]]
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|background}} | 4%
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| ''28''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|background}} | '''88%'''
| style="text-align:right; background:#6495ED;"| ''577''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|background}} | 4%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''25''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|background}} | 1%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''7''
|-
|}
{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; width:400; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;"
|+ Stirling provincial election results<ref>{{cite web |url=https://officialresults.elections.ab.ca/orResultsPGE.cfm?EventId=60 |title=Official Voting Results by polling station (poll by poll results in Stirling)|publisher=Elections Alberta |access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref>
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[United Conservative Party|United Cons.]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Alberta New Democratic Party|New Democratic]]
|-
| style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|AB|UCP}}|
! [[2019 Alberta general election|2019]]
| {{Canadian party colour|AB|UCP|background}} | <span style="color:#FFFFFF">'''84%'''</span>
| style="text-align:right; background:#005D7C;"| <span style="color:#FFFFFF">''521''</span>
| {{Canadian party colour|AB|NDP|background}} | 10%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''62''
|-
| style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|AB|Wildrose Alliance}}|
! [[2015 Alberta general election|2015]]
| {{Canadian party colour|AB|UCP|background}} | <span style="color:#FFFFFF">23%</span>
| style="text-align:right; background:#005D7C;"| <span style="color:#FFFFFF">''104''</span>
| {{Canadian party colour|AB|NDP|background}} | 18%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''84''
|}{{Clear}}

The village is governed by a village council composed of a [[mayor]] and four councillors, and administered by a village chief administrative officer.<ref name="council"/> Municipal elections are held every four years.


== Infrastructure ==
== Infrastructure ==
The village is connected to two highways: [[Alberta Highway 4|Highway 4]], which heads south to [[Interstate 15]] and north to [[Lethbridge]], and the historic [[Red Coat Trail]]<ref name="Alberta Highway 61">{{Cite web| url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0009698 | title= Red Coat Trail | author= The Canadian Encyclopedia | authorlink= | accessdate= 2008-08-05}}</ref> also known as [[Alberta Highway 61|Highway 61]], which heads east to [[Foremost, Alberta|Foremost]] and then ends in [[Manyberries, Alberta|Manyberries]].
The village is connected to two highways: [[Alberta Highway 4|Highway 4]], which heads south to [[Interstate 15]] and north to [[Lethbridge]], and the historic [[Red Coat Trail]]<ref name="Alberta Highway 61">{{cite web | url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/red-coat-trail/ | title=Red Coat Trail | publisher=The Canadian Encyclopedia | access-date=August 5, 2008}}</ref> also known as [[Alberta Highway 61|Highway 61]], which heads east to [[Foremost, Alberta|Foremost]] and then ends in [[Manyberries, Alberta|Manyberries]].


Emergency services are provided by the nearby town of [[Raymond, Alberta]], where the [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Raymond+Health+Centre/@49.4654948,-112.6494165,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x536e982e708e996d:0xc77b816ba37197c2!8m2!3d49.4647001!4d-112.6505819 Raymond Health Centre] and [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] (RCMP) are detached.
Emergency services are provided by the Raymond and District Hospital and police station located in [[Raymond, Alberta|Raymond]], while the village has its own volunteer fire department, which has served Stirling and area since 1957.<ref name=Emergency>{{Cite web| url=http://www.geocities.com/stirlingfireamb/ | title= Stirling Emergency Services | author= Stirling Fire Department | authorlink= | accessdate= 2008-08-05.|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090724031806/http://geocities.com/stirlingfireamb/|archivedate=2009-07-24}}</ref>

The village has its own volunteer fire department, which has served Stirling and area since 1957.<ref name=Emergency>{{cite web | url=http://www.geocities.com/stirlingfireamb/ | title=Stirling Emergency Services | publisher=Stirling Fire Department | access-date=August 5, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724031806/http://geocities.com/stirlingfireamb/ | archive-date=July 24, 2009}}</ref>

In recent years, village residents have reestablished the local [[Neighborhood watch|Neighborhood watch program]], an organized group of residents devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within the village.


== Tourism ==
== Tourism ==
{{See also|Stirling Settler Days|Stirling Agricultural Village|List of attractions and landmarks in Stirling, Alberta}}
{{See also|Stirling Agricultural Village|List of attractions and landmarks in Stirling, Alberta}}
[[File:Pioneer Days Pagent - Stirling, Alberta - July 24, 1930.jpg|thumb|center|990px|[[Pioneer Day (Utah)|Pioneer Days]] Pageant, July 24, 1930, which is now known as Stirling Settler Days]]
Stirling's recreational facilities<ref name=Recreation>{{Cite web| url=http://stirling.ca/visit/facilities/reunion-centre-campground/ | title= Stirling's recreational facilities | author= Village of Stirling | authorlink= | accessdate= 2007-08-02}}</ref> include ball parks, a swimming pool, a tennis court, a community centre, a picnic area, playgrounds, rodeo grounds, fish pond, and library.<ref name="Theodore Brandley Library">{{Cite web| url=http://www.informalberta.ca/public/service/srvProfileGeneral_Initialize.do;jsessionid=313AB5A892959771C4397F983B09AD2F?serviceQueryId=1007767 | title= Theodore Brandley Library | author= Chinook Arch Regional Library System | authorlink= | accessdate= 2007-08-02}}</ref> The [[Milk River Ridge Reservoir]]<ref name="Milk River Ridge">{{Cite web| url=http://www.travelwestvisual.com/TravelAlberta/Home/Pages/AlbertaSouth/LethAr/MilkRivRidge/Pict/Pict154525F120.htm | title= Milk River Ridge Reservoir | author= County of Warner No. 5 | authorlink=Warner County No. 5, Alberta | accessdate= 2007-08-02}}</ref> south of Stirling supports water recreation in the summer months, and [[Stirling Lake]] also known as Michelsen Marsh, north of Stirling supports bird watchers year-round.

Stirling's recreational facilities<ref name=Recreation>{{cite web | url=http://stirling.ca/visit/facilities/reunion-centre-campground/ | title=Stirling's recreational facilities | publisher=Village of Stirling | access-date=August 2, 2007}}</ref> include ball parks, a swimming pool and water slides, a tennis court, a community centre with large picnic area, playgrounds, rodeo grounds, fish pond, cafe, Bed & breakfast, and library.<ref name="Theodore Brandley Library">{{cite web | url=http://www.informalberta.ca/public/service/srvProfileGeneral_Initialize.do;jsessionid=313AB5A892959771C4397F983B09AD2F?serviceQueryId=1007767 | title=Theodore Brandley Library | publisher=Chinook Arch Regional Library System | access-date=August 2, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626174259/http://www.informalberta.ca/public/service/srvProfileGeneral_Initialize.do | archive-date=June 26, 2007 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> The [[Milk River Ridge Reservoir]]<ref name="Milk River Ridge">{{cite web | url=http://www.travelwestvisual.com/TravelAlberta/Home/Pages/AlbertaSouth/LethAr/MilkRivRidge/Pict/Pict154525F120.htm | title=Milk River Ridge Reservoir | publisher=[[County of Warner No. 5]] | access-date=August 2, 2007}}</ref> south of Stirling supports water recreation in the summer months, and Stirling Lake also known as Michelsen Marsh, north of Stirling supports bird watchers year-round.

At the east entrance of Main Street (1 Ave & 4 St.) is a newly built [[Kiosk|information kiosk]] made to replicate that of an older pioneer home found throughout Stirling and area. In the kiosk are historical markers and a map that shows many sites of interest throughout the National Historic Site of Stirling.

=== Mormon Trail ===

The village of Stirling sits along the historic [[Red Coat Trail]] & [[Mormon Trail (Canada)|Canada's Mormon Trail]].<ref>[http://www.themormontrail.ca/ Canada's Mormon Trail]</ref> A 2-4 hour self-guided tour starting in Stirling, which happens to be the first community along the trail starting at the intersection of [[Alberta Highway 4|Highway 4]] and [[Alberta Highway 846|846]] and west to the town of Raymond, along [[Alberta Highway 52|Highway 52]], then following [[Alberta Highway 5|Highway 5]] past Magrath, all the way to Cardston.


In recent years a group was formed to unite all these communities along the Mormon Trail. Each year the communities of Stirling, Raymond, Magrath & Cardston, partner together to hold annual events such as [[Chautauqua]], to show local talent and history of the Mormon communities along the trail.
On east entrance of Main Street is a newly built [[Kiosk|information kiosk]] made to replicate that of an older pioneer home found throughout Stirling and area. In the kiosk are historical markers and a map that shows many sites of interest throughout the National Historic Site of Stirling.


=== Museums ===
=== Museums ===
[[File:Michelsen Farmstead.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[Michelsen Farmstead]] Provincial Historic Site of Alberta]]
[[File:Michelsen Farmstead.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Michelsen Farmstead]] Provincial Historic Site of Alberta]]
* [[Michelsen Farmstead]]<ref>Michelsen Farm http://waltonfeed.com/stirling/history/vtour/mfarm.html</ref> - a typical farmstead found throughout Stirling in the early 1900s. The Michelsen's farmstead was declared a [[List of provincial historic sites of Alberta|Provincial Historic Site of Alberta]] in 2001, and is maintained by the Stirling Historical Society who have restored the farm back to its 1930s heritage. Located on the corner of 6th Street and 2nd Avenue.
* [[Michelsen Farmstead]]<ref>Michelsen Farm {{cite web |url=http://waltonfeed.com/stirling/history/vtour/mfarm.html |title=The Michelsen Farm - an Historic Landmark |access-date=2008-07-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709011130/http://waltonfeed.com/stirling/history/vtour/mfarm.html |archive-date=July 9, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> - a typical farmstead found throughout Stirling in the early 1900s. The Michelsen's farmstead was declared a [[List of provincial historic sites of Alberta|Provincial Historic Site of Alberta]] in 2001, and is maintained by the Stirling Historical Society who have restored the farm back to its 1930s heritage. Located on the corner of 6th Street and 2nd Avenue.
*[[Bishop's storehouse]], Also known as Lord's storehouse, moved to its current location next to the Kiosk on the corner of 1st Street and 4th Avenue.
*[[Bishop's storehouse]], Also known as Lord's storehouse, moved to its current location next to the Kiosk on the corner of 1st Street and 4th Avenue.


=== Local attractions ===
=== Local attractions ===
*Stirling Lions Club Fish Pond, stocked every year with new fish for fishing. Corner of 7th Street and 4th Avenue.
*Stirling Lions Club Fish Pond, stocked every year with new fish for fishing. Corner of 7th Street and 4th Avenue.
*[[Centennial Park (Stirling)|Centennial Park]], community park with swimming pool,play grounds, a tennis court, basketball courts, reunion center, a senior citizen's center, baseball diamonds and a campground.
*Centennial Park, a community park with swimming pool, playgrounds, a tennis court, basketball courts, reunion center, a senior citizen's center, baseball diamonds and campground.
*[[William T. Ogden House]], a [[Neoclassical architecture|Neo-Classical]] style house that is declared as a [[List of provincial historic sites of Alberta|Provincial historic site of Alberta]] located in Stirling. Every year around [[Halloween]] the owners of the home decorate the {{convert|7000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} house as a live [[haunted house]], making it the largest haunted house in [[southern Alberta]]. 441 4th Street.<ref>William T. Ogden House [http://www.freewebs.com/hauntedmansionstirling/index.htm Stirling Haunted Mansion]. Retrieved on August 2, 2007</ref>
*Prairie Cactus Mini Putts, a privately owned miniature golf course, open by request. Corner of 1st Street and 7th Avenue.
*[[Lost Frontier Mini-Railway]],<ref>William T. Ogden House [http://www.freewebs.com/lostfrontierminirailroad/index.htm Lost Frontier Mini-Railway.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523001119/http://www.freewebs.com/lostfrontierminirailroad/index.htm |date=May 23, 2011 }} Retrieved on August 2, 2007</ref> a small train park open by booking from May to October and is a very popular local attraction. Located on the grounds of the William T. Ogden House, the park also has a [[petting zoo]], a mini village, a large [[Cuckoo clock]] as well as the "worlds smallest church". 441 4th Street.
*[[William T. Ogden House]], a [[Neoclassical architecture|Neo-Classical]] style house that is declared as a [[List of provincial historic sites of Alberta|Provincial historic site of Alberta]] located in Stirling. Every year around [[Halloween]] the owners of the home decorate the {{convert|7000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} house as a live [[haunted house]], making it the largest haunted house in [[southern Alberta]]. 441 4th Street.<ref>William T. Ogden House [http://www.freewebs.com/hauntedmansionstirling/index.htm Stirling Haunted Mansion]. Retrieved on 2007-08-02</ref>
*[[Lost Frontier Mini-Railway]],<ref>William T. Ogden House [http://www.freewebs.com/lostfrontierminirailroad/index.htm Lost Frontier Mini-Railway.] Retrieved on 2007-08-02</ref> a small train park open by booking from May to October and is a very popular local attraction. Located on the grounds of the [[William T. Ogden House|William T. Ogden Home]], the park also has a [[petting zoo]], a mini village, a large [[Cuckoo clock]] as well as the "worlds smallest church". 441 4th Street.
[[Image:Stirling Banner.jpg|thumb|right|100px|One of Stirling's decorative banners]]
[[Image:Stirling Banner.jpg|thumb|right|100px|One of Stirling's decorative banners]]


=== Events ===
=== Events ===
*''Stirling Community Garage Sale'' (''Saturday of [[May long weekend|May-long]]''), community garage sale held by the Stirling Historical Society.
*''Stirling Community Garage Sale'' (''Saturday of [[Victoria Day]] weekend''), community garage sale held by the Stirling Historical Society.
*''[[Lions Clubs International|Lions]] Community [[BBQ]]'' (''June''), community BBQ held at the Stirling Lions Hall.
*''[[Lions Clubs International|Lions]] Community [[BBQ]]'' (''June''), community BBQ held at the Stirling Lions Hall.
*''[[Stirling Settler Days]]'' (''July''), after Stirling's founding on May 5, 1899, the 24th of July, previously known as "[[Pioneer Day]]" & now called "Stirling Settler Days", was celebrated to mark the [[Mormon pioneers]]' arrival in the [[Salt Lake Valley]].
*''Stirling Settler Days'' (''July''), after Stirling's founding on May 5, 1899, the 24th of July, previously known as "[[Pioneer Day (Utah)|Pioneer Day]]" & now called "Stirling Settler Days", was celebrated to mark the [[Mormon pioneers]]' arrival in the [[Salt Lake Valley]].
*''Stirling Fall Festival'' (''September''), held at the grounds of the Michelsen Farmstead each year. Visitors get to make [[rope]], stick dolls, and dipped candles, there are also wagon rides as well as kiddie games.
*''Stirling Fall Festival'' (''September''), held at the grounds of the Michelsen Farmstead each year. Visitors get to make [[rope]], stick dolls, and dipped candles, there are also wagon rides as well as kiddie games.
*''[[Harvest Dance]]'' (''October''), also held at the Michelsens farmstead, Old-fashioned [[Barn dance]].
*''Harvest Dance'' (''October''), also held at the Michelsens farmstead, Old-fashioned [[Barn dance]].
*''[[William T. Ogden House|Stirling Haunted Mansion]]'' (''October''), located in the William Ogden House, also known as the largest haunted house in [[Southern Alberta]].
*''[[Lions Clubs International|Lions]] [[Christmas Dinner]]'' (''November''), a community dinner with traditional home cooking.
*''[[Lions Clubs International|Lions]] [[Christmas Dinner]]'' (''November''), a community dinner with traditional home cooking.
*''A Victorian Christmas'' (''December''), a dinner and show at the [[Galt Historic Railway Park]].
*''[[William T. Ogden House|Santa Claus Mansion]]'' (''December''), held at the William Ogden House in conjunction with the town's Christmas lights tour.
*''[[William T. Ogden House|Santa Claus Mansion]]'' (''December''), held at the William Ogden House in conjunction with the town's Christmas lights tour.
*''[[Christmas Lights|Christmas Lights tour]]'' (''December''), held in conjunction with the Santa Claus Mansion to view citizen's Christmas light displays.
*''[[Christmas Lights|Christmas Lights tour]]'' (''December''), held in conjunction with the Santa Claus Mansion to view citizen's Christmas light displays.


=== Regional attractions ===
=== Regional attractions ===

;Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum:
;Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum:
The [[Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum]]<ref name=Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum>{{Cite web| url=http://www.devilscoulee.com/Main.html | title= Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum | author= Village of Warner | authorlink=Warner, Alberta | accessdate= 2007-08-02 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070729024805/http://www.devilscoulee.com/Main.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-07-29}}</ref> features a [[Hadrosaur]] (duck-billed dinosaur) nest and embryo, ancient fossils, dinosaur models, located in the Village of [[Warner, Alberta|Warner]].
The [[Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum]]<ref name="Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum">{{cite web | url=http://www.devilscoulee.com/Main.html | title=Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum | publisher=Village of Warner | access-date=August 2, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070729024805/http://www.devilscoulee.com/Main.html | archive-date=July 29, 2007}}</ref> features a [[Hadrosaur]] (duck-billed dinosaur) nest and embryo, ancient fossils, dinosaur models, located in the Village of [[Warner, Alberta|Warner]].


;Galt Historic Railway Park:
;Galt Historic Railway Park:
The ''[[Galt Historic Railway Park]]'' located 1&nbsp;km north of Stirling is another popular museum which displays the life and travel of the late 1880s to early 1920s in the restored 1890 [[North-West Territories]] International Train Station from [[Coutts, Alberta]], [[Canada]], and [[Sweetgrass, Montana]], USA. The station was moved to the current location near Stirling in 2000 and is added onto every year. Future plans to move the 1925 Oglvie grain elevator from [[Wrentham, Alberta|Wrentham]] for display along the station in the {{convert|36|acre|m2|adj=on}} park is still in the planning stages.
The ''[[Galt Historic Railway Park]]'' located 1&nbsp;km north of Stirling is another popular museum which displays the life and travel of the late 1880s to early 1920s in the restored 1890 [[North-West Territories]] International Train Station from [[Coutts, Alberta]], [[Canada]], and [[Sweetgrass, Montana]], USA. The station was moved to the current location near Stirling in 2000 and is added onto every year.


;Waterton Lakes National Park
;Waterton Lakes National Park
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;Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
;Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
[[Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park]], 125&nbsp;km east of Cardston, is one of the largest areas of protected prairie in the Alberta park system, and serves as both a [[nature preserve]] and protection for the largest concentration of [[rock art]], created by Plains People. There are over 50 rock art sites, with thousands of figures, as well as numerous archeological sites.
[[Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park]], 44&nbsp;km east of Milk River, is one of the largest areas of protected prairie in the Alberta park system, and serves as both a [[nature preserve]] and protection for the largest concentration of [[rock art]], created by Plains People. There are over 50 rock art sites, with thousands of figures, as well as numerous archeological sites.


== Education ==
== Education ==
[[Image:Stirling School 1902. Stirling, Alberta.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Stirling School]] 1902, demolished 1957]]
[[Image:Stirling School 1902. Stirling, Alberta.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Stirling School]] 1902, demolished 1957]]


Stirling has one school that covers [[Kindergarten]] through grade 12 in the [[Westwind School Division No. 74|Westwind School Division]]. Enrollment for [[Stirling School]]<ref>[http://www.westwind.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=88 Stirling School]. Retrieved on 2007-08-02</ref> was 322 in 2006.
Stirling has one school that covers [[Kindergarten]] through grade 12 in the [[Westwind School Division No. 74|Westwind School Division]]. Enrollment for [[Stirling School]]<ref>[http://www.westwind.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=88 Stirling School]. Retrieved on August 2, 2007</ref> was 322 in 2006.


Stirling School is home to a few athletic teams, from [[volleyball]] to [[badminton]], even [[golf]].
Stirling School is home to a few athletic teams, from [[volleyball]] to [[badminton]], even [[golf]].
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{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2008}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2008}}


In 1924, rodeo pioneer and Stirling cowboy [[Earl W. Bascom]]<ref>Stirling Sunset Society, ''Stirling: Its Story and People 1899-1980'', "Earl W. and Nadine Bascom", publisher=Stirling Sunset Society (1981), pp.210-13, {{ISBN|0889252343}}</ref> designed and made rodeo's first one-hand bareback rigging,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westernhorsereview.com/home/|title=Home|date=October 28, 2011|website=WESTERN HORSE REVIEW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.answers.com/Q/What_did_the_earl_of_cardigan_invent|title=What did the earl of cardigan invent?|website=Answers}}</ref> which is now standard rodeo equipment used around the world,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aginfo.net/index.cfm/event/report/id/Land-&-Livestock-Report-18045|title=AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST|website=AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST}}</ref> making Stirling the "Home of the Modern Rodeo Bareback Rigging."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westwindweekly.com/news/2015/07/23/first-rodeo-champion-inducted-into-canadas-sports-hall-of-fame/|title=First rodeo champion inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame › Westwind Weekly}}</ref> Earl Bascom is considered the world's greatest inventor of rodeo equipment<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yahoo.com/|title=Yahoo|website=Yahoo}}</ref> and has been called the "Father of Modern Rodeo."
The high school girls basketball team, the Lakettes, won the 1A girls basketball provincial championships in 1997–1999. They placed in three other provincial championships between 1996 and 2006, and won or placed second for 6 straight years between 1996–2003.


The high school boys basketball team, the Lakers, won the 1A boys basketball provincial championships in 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008. They placed second in three other provincial championships between 1996 and 2006, and have played in 6 of the last 10 championships.<ref>[http://www.asaa.ca/pages/sports/basketball/results/results.php3#2005 Alberta Schools' Athletic Association website] Retrieved on 2006-03-01.</ref>
The high school girls basketball team, the Lakettes, won the 1A girls basketball provincial championships in 1997–1999. They placed in three other provincial championships between 1996 and 2006, and won or placed second for 6 straight years between 1996 and 2003.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}


The high school boys basketball team, the Lakers, won the 1A boys basketball provincial championships in 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008. They placed second in three other provincial championships between 1996 and 2006, and have played in 6 of the last 10 championships.<ref>[http://www.asaa.ca/pages/sports/basketball/results/results.php3#2005 Alberta Schools' Athletic Association website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060528084516/http://www.asaa.ca/pages/sports/basketball/results/results.php3#2005 |date=May 28, 2006 }} Retrieved on March 1, 2006.</ref>
In 2006 the final game was a decisive 98-68 victory over the third-ranked Youngstown Falcons. Besides the provincial title, the Stirling Lakers recorded a season of 30 wins, 9 losses, and 3 other tournament champion titles, including the 1A South Zone Title, the Picture Butte Sugar King Invitational, and the Mccoy Invitational.


In 2006 the final game was a decisive 98–68 victory over the third-ranked Youngstown Falcons. Besides the provincial title, the Stirling Lakers recorded a season of 30 wins, 9 losses, and 3 other tournament champion titles, including the 1A South Zone Title, the Picture Butte Sugar King Invitational, and the Mccoy Invitational.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}
The Stirling Lakers followed up their 2006 season with another provincial title in 2007. The Lakers were victorious in the championship game over their rivals from Foremost. On their way to provincials, the Lakers were also crowned South Zone champions.


In 2008 Stirling hosted provincials and ended up winning their third provincial title in a row.
The Stirling Lakers followed up their 2006 season with another provincial title in 2007.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

The Lakers were victorious in the championship game over their rivals from Foremost.
On their way to provincials, the Lakers were also crowned South Zone champions.

In 2008 Stirling hosted provincials and ended up winning their third provincial title in a row.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}


== Media ==
== Media ==
Stirling is served by a number of regional newspapers including the Westwind Weekly, Lethbridge Herald, and Prairie Post. At one time, Stirling had a newspaper of its own called the Stirling Star.<ref>[http://www.telusplanet.net/public/vilstir/star.htm New Stirling Star]. Retrieved on 2007-08-02</ref> In the 1980s Stirling also hosted the cast of a film called "[[Pure Escape]]" starring [[James Garner]]. {{Citation needed|date=June 2008}}
Stirling is served by a number of regional newspapers including the Westwind Weekly, Lethbridge Herald, and Prairie Post. At one time, Stirling had a newspaper of its own called the Stirling Star.<ref>[http://www.telusplanet.net/public/vilstir/star.htm New Stirling Star] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514173639/http://www.telusplanet.net/public/vilstir/star.htm |date=May 14, 2008 }}. Retrieved on August 2, 2007</ref>


'''Newspapers'''
'''Newspapers'''
*''[[Lethbridge Herald]]''
*''[[Lethbridge Herald]]''
*''Prairie Post'', a newspaper focused on Alberta and the southwest region of [[Saskatchewan]].
*''Prairie Post'', a newspaper focused on Alberta and the southwest region of [[Saskatchewan]].
*''[[Stirling Star]]'' was Stirling's newspaper printed in [[Maybutt, Alberta|New Stirling]] until the late 1930s.
*''Stirling Star'' was Stirling's newspaper printed in [[Maybutt, Alberta|New Stirling]] until the late 1930s.
*''Westwind Weekly'', a weekly newspaper featuring news from Stirling and surrounding communities.
*''Westwind Weekly'', a weekly newspaper featuring news from Stirling and surrounding communities.


'''Movies'''
'''Movies'''
*[[Pure Escape]], movie shot throughout southern Alberta and Stirling in the 1980s.
*''Pure Escape'', movie shot throughout southern Alberta and Stirling in the 1980s.
*[[The Calgary Stampede]], movie filmed in 1925, starring [[Hoot Gibson]]. Gibson drove a team of palomino horses in a chuckwagon race filmed at the Calgary Stampede. The palomino horses were from the Bascom Ranch of Stirling.
*''[[The Calgary Stampede]]'', movie filmed in 1925, starring [[Hoot Gibson]]. Gibson rode a team of palomino horses in a Roman standing race filmed at the Calgary Stampede. The palomino horses were from the Bascom Ranch of Stirling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20170707/earl-bascom-and-calgary-stampede|title=Earl Bascom and the Calgary Stampede|first=KATHY|last=YOUNG|website=vvdailypress.com}}</ref>
*[[RV (film)|RV]], movie filmed in the [[Vancouver]] area and southern Alberta including the Stirling area, May–December 2005, starring [[Robin Williams]], [[Cheryl Hines]], [[JoJo (singer)|Joanna Levesque]], [[Josh Hutcherson]], [[Jeff Daniels]], and [[Kristin Chenoweth]].
*''[[RV (film)|RV]]'', movie filmed in the [[Vancouver]] area and southern Alberta including the Stirling area, May–December 2005, starring [[Robin Williams]], [[Cheryl Hines]], [[JoJo (singer)|Joanna Levesque]], [[Josh Hutcherson]], [[Jeff Daniels]], and [[Kristin Chenoweth]].


== Notable people ==
== Notable people ==
* [[Earl W. Bascom]] (1906-1995) - moved to Stirling in 1924,<ref>Stirling Sunset Society, ''Stirling: Its Story and People 1899-1980'', "Earl W. and Nadine Bascom", Stirling Sunset Society (1981), pp.210-13, {{ISBN|0889252343}}</ref> rodeo pioneer,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prorodeohalloffame.com/inductees/pioneer-award/2016-bascoms/|title=2016 Bascom's|first=Kevin|last=Vicroy}}</ref> inventor of modern rodeo bareback rigging,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboycountrymagazine.com/2010/11/earl-bascom/|title=Earl Bascom &#124; Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine|first=Terri|last=Mason|date=November 2, 2010|website=www.cowboycountrymagazine.com}}</ref> inductee of cowboy halls of fame,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eliteequestrianmagazine.com/first-rodeo-cowboy-in-canadas-sports-hall-of-fame/|title=First Rodeo Cowboy in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame – Elite Equestrian magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rodeocanada.com/news_archives/2015/Announcements/earl-bascom-Cdn-Sport-HOF.htm|title=Rodeo Canada - Official Home of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association|website=rodeocanada.com}}</ref> "father of modern rodeo," <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westernhorsereview.com/blogs/screen-doors-saddles/bascom-honored-on-national-cowboy-day/|title=Earl Bascom Honored On National Cowboy Day|date=August 19, 2014|website=WESTERN HORSE REVIEW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tsln.com/news/earl-bascom-the-father-of-modern-rodeo/|title=Earl Bascom: The Father of Modern Rodeo|first=Jan Swan|last=Wood|website=www.tsln.com}}</ref> Hollywood actor,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3327612/bio|title=Earl Bascom|website=IMDb}}</ref> western artist and sculptor<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.askart.com/artist_bio/artist/39318/artist.aspx|title=Earl Wesley Bascom - Biography|website=www.askart.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fineartestate.com/|title=Fine art for sale &#124; Fineartestate &#124; Gallery|website=Fineartestate-fine-art-gallery}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bascombronze.com/|title=Earl Bascom: Master Sculpture and The Cowboy of Cowboy Artists|website=www.bascombronze.com}}</ref>
* [[Theodore Brandley]], LDS [[Missionary (LDS Church)|missionary]] and colonizer of Stirling<ref name=Biography>{{Cite web| url=http://waltonfeed.com/stirling/history/people/tbrandle.html | title=Biography of Theodore Brandley | author=Stirling Historical Society | accessdate=2007-08-02}}</ref>

* [[Reg Kesler]], [[Calgary Stampede]] champion and member of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame<ref>Canadian Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame [http://www.canadianprorodeohalloffame.com/inductees.php?year=1989 Biography of Reg Kesler] Retrieved on 2007-08-02</ref>
* [[Theodore Brandley]] - LDS [[Missionary (LDS Church)|missionary]] and colonizer of Stirling<ref name=Biography>{{cite web | url=http://waltonfeed.com/stirling/history/people/tbrandle.html | title=Biography of Theodore Brandley | publisher=Stirling Historical Society | access-date=August 2, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109214407/http://waltonfeed.com/stirling/history/people/tbrandle.html | archive-date=November 9, 2006 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

* [[Reg Kesler]] - [[Calgary Stampede]] champion and inductee of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame<ref>Canadian Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame [http://www.canadianprorodeohalloffame.com/inductees.php?year=1989 Biography of Reg Kesler] Retrieved on August 2, 2007</ref>

* [[Jim Hillyer (politician)|Jim Hillyer]] (1974–2016) - Member of Parliament <ref>{{Cite web|last=Nelson|first=Darrel|editor-last=Prete|editor-first=Roy A.|editor2-last=Prete|editor2-first=Carmen T.|title=Southern Alberta: The Ongoing Mission|url=https://rsc.byu.edu/canadian-mormons/southern-alberta|access-date=2021-02-17|website=Canadian Mormons: History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|publisher=BYU Religious Studies Center}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 379: Line 429:


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
*{{official website}}
* [http://stirling.ca Village of Stirling]
* [http://www.ourroots.ca/toc.aspx?id=13204&amp;qryID=c58a32cf-3879-47c7-b90f-12d06f277e75 Stirling Its Story and People] - [http://www.ourroots.ca/index.aspx?qryID=c58a32cf-3879-47c7-b90f-12d06f277e75 OurRoots: Canada's Local Histories Online]
* [http://www.flickr.com/people/69790991@N06/ Stirling Historical Society & Archives on Flickr]
* [http://waltonfeed.durtschi.com/stirling/history/index.php Stirling Historical Society]
* Canadian Badlands Touring Routes - [http://www.canadianbadlands.org/cbl/ttb/resources/1295566275538_MormonTales.pdf Mormon Tales and Historic Rails Tour]
* [http://waltonfeed.com/stirling/history/ceremony/index.html Stirling's National Historic Site Designation Ceremony]
* [http://www.picturesofcanada.ca/gallery/main.php/v/Alberta/Stirling/ Pictures Of Stirling]
* [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fd/Flag of Stirling Ab.png Flag of Stirling]


{{Geographic location
{{Geographic location
| Northwest = [[Lethbridge]]
| Northwest = [[Lethbridge]]
| North = [[Coaldale, Alberta|Coaldale]]<br>[[Maybutt, Alberta|Maybutt]]
| North = [[Coaldale, Alberta|Coaldale]]<br />[[Maybutt, Alberta|Maybutt]]
| Northeast = [[Taber, Alberta|Taber]]
| Northeast = [[Taber, Alberta|Taber]]
| West = [[Raymond, Alberta|Raymond]]
| West = [[Raymond, Alberta|Raymond]]
Line 399: Line 442:
| South = [[New Dayton, Alberta|New Dayton]]
| South = [[New Dayton, Alberta|New Dayton]]
| Southeast = [[Warner, Alberta|Warner]]
| Southeast = [[Warner, Alberta|Warner]]
| image = Flag of Alberta.svg
}}
}}


Line 405: Line 447:
{{Coord|49|30|8|N|112|31|0|W|scale:60000|display=title|name=Stirling}}
{{Coord|49|30|8|N|112|31|0|W|scale:60000|display=title|name=Stirling}}


[[Category:National Historic Sites in Alberta]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1899]]
[[Category:Stirling, Alberta| ]]
[[Category:Stirling, Alberta| ]]
[[Category:The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Canada]]
[[Category:1901 establishments in the Northwest Territories]]
[[Category:Latter-day Saint settlements in Canada]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1899]]
[[Category:Villages in Alberta]]

Latest revision as of 18:12, 25 July 2024

Stirling
Village of Stirling
Galt Historic Railway Park north of Stirling.
Galt Historic Railway Park north of Stirling.
Flag of Stirling
Coat of arms of Stirling
Nickname(s): 
The Junction Town (1912)[1]
Village of Gardens[2]
A Town of Two Towns
Motto: 
Experience The History
Stirling is located in Alberta
Stirling
Stirling
Location of Stirling in Alberta
Coordinates: 49°30′08″N 112°31′00″W / 49.50222°N 112.51667°W / 49.50222; -112.51667
CountryCanada
ProvinceAlberta
RegionSouthern Alberta
Census division2
Municipal districtCounty of Warner No. 5
FoundedMay 5, 1899
Incorporated[3] 
 • VillageSeptember 3, 1901
Government
 • MayorTrevor Lewington
 • Governing bodyStirling Village Council
 • CAOScott Donselaar
 • MPGlen Motz
 • MLAGrant Hunter
Area
 (2021)[5]
 • Land2.7 km2 (1.0 sq mi)
Elevation
935 m (3,068 ft)
Population
 (2021)[5][6]
 • Total1,164
 • Density431.8/km2 (1,118/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Postal code span
Area code+1-403
HighwaysHighway 4
Highway 61
Highway 846
WaterwaysEtzikom Coulee
Kipp Coulee
Stirling Lake
Milk River Ridge Reservoir
Historic SitesGalt Historic Railway Park
Michelsen Farmstead
William T. Ogden House
WebsiteOfficial website

Stirling is a village in southern Alberta, Canada that is surrounded by the County of Warner No. 5. The village is located on Highway 4, approximately 31 km (19 mi) southeast of Lethbridge and 72 km (45 mi) northwest of the Canada–US border.

The Village of Stirling is also referred to as Stirling Agricultural Village due to its designation as a National Historic Site of Canada.[7]

History

[edit]
Theodore Brandley
Stirling's first LDS meeting house and community hall c. 1905

As the development of Railway took place throughout the 1880s in Southern Alberta, at the time Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) constructed a railroad from the city of Calgary to Fort Macleod. The Alberta Railway and Coal Company (ARCC) built a narrow gauge railway from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat in order to supply coal to the CPR.[8]

In 1899, the ARCC built another narrow gauge railway from Lethbridge, Alberta to Great Falls, Montana through the Coutts-Sweetgrass border crossing, closely following the route of the old Whoop-up Trail.[9]

Originally this railway was not built to promote colonization, but to open additional markets for Galt Coal in Montana. There was a limited amount of ranching along the route and no agricultural settlement. The ARCC opened the line to advertise land in parcels of 80-6401 acres for stock. The first station along the line south of Lethbridge was located near what was then known as "18 Mile Lake" (18 miles from Lethbridge),[10] for locomotives to replenish water for their engines. This station siding was named after J. A. Stirling, an executive in a company in England that helped finance the ARCC. At that time, there were no people or buildings in the region, with the exception of station employees who lived in the section houses along the railway.

Alberta Railway & Coal Company owned millions of acres of semiarid dry-land throughout Southern Alberta. This land was only suitable for ranching, not many new settlers saw potential in the dry landscape.

Alberta Railway and Coal Company liked how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) was implementing irrigation in the Salt Lake Valley, Utah and nearby Cardston, Alberta.[citation needed]

In 1899, it was decided to call upon the LDS Church to help colonize the area. As part of the agreement, the LDS church and the Alberta Railway & Irrigation Company (Successor to Alberta Railway & Coal Co.) was to build an irrigation canal as well, establish two communities, within the year end of 1899. The Community of Stirling and Magrath. Upon completion of the St. Mary's Irrigation Canal, the Church was granted thousands of acres of land, which was given as payment to its missionaries, who worked on building the canal.

With the arrival of irrigation on November 14, 1899,[11] the Village of Stirling quickly developed adjacent to the ARCC and station house.

Today, the St. Mary's Main Canal is 312 km long and continues to be a vital source of irrigated water for much of Southern Alberta.

National Historic Site status

[edit]

On May 5, 1899, a small band of 30 Mormon settlers led by Theodore Brandley of Richfield, Utah, arrived at Stirling station, they were greeted by Charles Ora Card of Cardston.

The day after his arrival, Brandley with the help of Card inspected and planned out the new town site of Stirling.

Like many Mormon settlements, Stirling was designed following Joseph Smith's "Plat of Zion".[12] The village, originally made up of 47 blocks and 1 "Reserved" block, within one square mile 640 acres (2.6 km2).

Each block was divided into 10 acres (40,000 m2) with 8, 1.2 acres (4,900 m2) lots, each measuring, 320 feet (98 m) by 160 feet (49 m). A surveyed street, 100 ft wide with irrigation canal, surrounded each block. Stirling is unique, as each block has a 20 ft wide lane or alleyway separating the blocks, giving each residence access to a back alleyway.

Also unique to Stirling is its Town Square, located at the northeast corner of the village. Originally made up of 4 "half blocks"; blocks, 1, 2, 4, 15, 17,1 8, were divided into 44, 30 feet (9.1 m) by 130 feet (40 m) commercial lots with alleyway between. Blocks 3 and 16 were divided into 25, 30 feet (9.1 m) by 130 feet (40 m) commercial lots with a 280 feet (85 m) by 260 feet (79 m) block south of block 3 and north of block 16. This block was reserved (R) for a town park or civic buildings.

The reasoning for locating the town square in the corner of the village, was because at that time this location was nearest to the original Alberta Railway & Coal Co. station.[13] Whereas, Joseph Smith's ideal Plat of Zion, planned for the town's square or business center and civic buildings to be located at the centre of the settlement, surrounded by large residential lots, giving residents enough room for a house, barn and shelters for animals. Irrigation water was accessed at the canal running along each street, giving residence the opportunity to grow and water a large garden and raise livestock. For this reason, Stirling was known as the "Village of Gardens". These canals were used up until 1968 when the village of Stirling public works installed fresh drinking water and sewer lines to each property.

Of the 47 blocks, Stirling was laid out with 32 blocks divided into 8, 1.2 acres (4,900 m2) residential lots with an alleyway separating lots 1-4 & 5–8. 13 of the 47 blocks, bordering the western and southern borders of the village, were used by residents for agriculture purposes and never divided.

Although many original Mormon Settlements throughout Southern Alberta were planned using the Plat of Zion, Stirling presently is known to be the best preserved Mormon Settlement in Canada, still following the Plat of Zion. As so, the village of Stirling has been recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada[7] for being the best-preserved example of this layout in Canada, and designated as such on June 22, 1989.[7]

Stirling is one of only two communities that owed its existence to a partnership between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Charles A. Magrath of the Alberta Railway & Coal Company.[14]

New Stirling

[edit]
Poster advertising lots in "New Stirling"

Construction of the St. Mary Railway, beginning in Stirling and ending in Cardston began in 1900 and was finished in 1902. The Canadian Pacific Railway took over all assets of Alberta Railway and Irrigation company (successor of Alberta Railway Coal Company) in 1912[15] and started construction of a new line east of Stirling to Saskatchewan. Stirling had now become an important railway junction in Southern Alberta with rail lines from north, south, east and west.

To accommodate the expansion of the railway the CPR needed more space for yards and shunting. Kipp Coulee near the original station did not have enough room to expand, so the CPR moved the station one mile north. This created an ideal location for a new town. A town site was planned and lots were advertised for sale in what was called New Stirling also known as New Town.[16] Due to confusion between the two post offices in Stirling and New Stirling, the name was changed to Maybutt. Mr. Fisher, who was the original owner and planner of the town site syndicate of Stirling, decided to rename the town after his wife, Mrs. "May Butt".[17]

A large hotel; the Prairie Queen Hotel, a Presbyterian Church, and a large variety of other businesses and houses quickly sprung up shortly after land was opened up. The community even had its own newspaper; the "New Stirling Star". The town did not flourish and eventually, buildings were moved away; the school, that was never built was closed, before speculation of building one had failed. By the 1950s the post office closed its doors.

Maybutt slowly died off making it a forgotten ghost town with few original buildings remaining.[18] In recent years homes have been moved into Maybutt as small hobby farms and acreages.

Geography and climate

[edit]

Stirling is in the County of Warner No. 5, and lies 31 km (19 mi) south-east of Lethbridge, at the junction of Highway 4 and Highway 846. The Milk River Ridge is south of the village, and Etzikom Coulee and Kipp Coulee are north of it.

Coordinates: 49°30′N 112°31′W / 49.500°N 112.517°W / 49.500; -112.517 (Stirling)
Elevation 935 metres (3,068 ft)
Land Area 2.64 square kilometres (1.02 sq mi)

Climate

[edit]

Stirling experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk). Stirling is subject to chinooks, which bring temperatures in mid-winter above 10 °C (50 °F). Chinooks bring more than 200 days of wind a year.[19]

Climate data for Stirling
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.7
(62.1)
21.8
(71.2)
23.3
(73.9)
31.1
(88.0)
34.2
(93.6)
38.3
(100.9)
39.4
(102.9)
38.9
(102.0)
36.7
(98.1)
31.7
(89.1)
22.8
(73.0)
19.6
(67.3)
39.4
(102.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −1.8
(28.8)
1.5
(34.7)
6
(43)
12.9
(55.2)
18.2
(64.8)
22.3
(72.1)
25.5
(77.9)
25.4
(77.7)
20.1
(68.2)
14
(57)
4.3
(39.7)
−0.2
(31.6)
12.3
(54.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) −7.8
(18.0)
−4.6
(23.7)
−0.2
(31.6)
6.0
(42.8)
11.3
(52.3)
15.5
(59.9)
18.0
(64.4)
17.7
(63.9)
12.6
(54.7)
7.0
(44.6)
−2.5
(27.5)
−6.1
(21.0)
5.7
(42.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −13.8
(7.2)
−10.7
(12.7)
−6.5
(20.3)
−0.9
(30.4)
4.2
(39.6)
8.6
(47.5)
10.5
(50.9)
10
(50)
5.1
(41.2)
0
(32)
−7.2
(19.0)
−12
(10)
−1.1
(30.0)
Record low °C (°F) −42.8
(−45.0)
−42.2
(−44.0)
−38
(−36)
−25.6
(−14.1)
−11.7
(10.9)
−1.7
(28.9)
0.9
(33.6)
−1
(30)
−9.4
(15.1)
−26.7
(−16.1)
−34.7
(−30.5)
−42.8
(−45.0)
−42.8
(−45.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 17.6
(0.69)
11.6
(0.46)
24
(0.9)
31.3
(1.23)
53.5
(2.11)
63
(2.5)
47.5
(1.87)
45.8
(1.80)
36.9
(1.45)
18.9
(0.74)
16.9
(0.67)
16.7
(0.66)
386.3
(15.21)
Source: Environment Canada[20]

Economy

[edit]
Stirling Grain Terminal (Super grain elevator)

Agriculture

[edit]

Historically, Stirling's economy has relied mainly on agriculture as a main industry. The community still has strong roots to agriculture and has become one of the 21 communities that have joined the South Grow Regional Initiative,[21] a proposal to accelerate and enhance economic development and sustainability for communities within the SouthGrow Regional Initiative region. Three quarters of a mile north east of town stands a 200 foot tall concrete terminal grain elevator. The large elevator was built between 1998 and 1999 at a cost of $11 million and was one of the first elevators of its kind in the area. The elevator was built with a capacity of 17,500 metric tonnes.

Other industries

[edit]

Stirling's location and rich history makes tourism another main industry. Stirling has a variety of businesses[22] and recreation, such as a convenience store, a wooden crib grain elevator now used as a hemp plant, a truck and tractor dealer, a pool, a community-owned campground, and a library, two museums and a community park known as Centennial Park.

Last of three, the former P&H elevator now used as a Hemp plant.

Demographics

[edit]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Village of Stirling had a population of 1,164 living in 360 of its 379 total private dwellings, a change of 19% from its 2016 population of 978. With a land area of 2.7 km2 (1.0 sq mi), it had a population density of 431.1/km2 (1,116.6/sq mi) in 2021.[5]

The population of the Village of Stirling according to its 2017 municipal census is 1,269,[23] a change of 10.6% from its 2013 municipal census population of 1,147.[24]

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Village of Stirling recorded a population of 978 living in 308 of its 375 total private dwellings, a -10.3% change from its 2011 population of 1,090. With a land area of 2.71 km2 (1.05 sq mi), it had a population density of 360.9/km2 (934.7/sq mi) in 2016.[25]

Government

[edit]
Stirling federal election results[26]
Year Liberal Conservative New Democratic Green
2021 4% 30 75% 535 5% 37 2% 11
2019 4% 28 88% 577 4% 25 1% 7
Stirling provincial election results[27]
Year United Cons. New Democratic
2019 84% 521 10% 62
2015 23% 104 18% 84

The village is governed by a village council composed of a mayor and four councillors, and administered by a village chief administrative officer.[4] Municipal elections are held every four years.

Infrastructure

[edit]

The village is connected to two highways: Highway 4, which heads south to Interstate 15 and north to Lethbridge, and the historic Red Coat Trail[28] also known as Highway 61, which heads east to Foremost and then ends in Manyberries.

Emergency services are provided by the nearby town of Raymond, Alberta, where the Raymond Health Centre and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are detached.

The village has its own volunteer fire department, which has served Stirling and area since 1957.[29]

In recent years, village residents have reestablished the local Neighborhood watch program, an organized group of residents devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within the village.

Tourism

[edit]
Pioneer Days Pageant, July 24, 1930, which is now known as Stirling Settler Days

Stirling's recreational facilities[30] include ball parks, a swimming pool and water slides, a tennis court, a community centre with large picnic area, playgrounds, rodeo grounds, fish pond, cafe, Bed & breakfast, and library.[31] The Milk River Ridge Reservoir[32] south of Stirling supports water recreation in the summer months, and Stirling Lake also known as Michelsen Marsh, north of Stirling supports bird watchers year-round.

At the east entrance of Main Street (1 Ave & 4 St.) is a newly built information kiosk made to replicate that of an older pioneer home found throughout Stirling and area. In the kiosk are historical markers and a map that shows many sites of interest throughout the National Historic Site of Stirling.

Mormon Trail

[edit]

The village of Stirling sits along the historic Red Coat Trail & Canada's Mormon Trail.[33] A 2-4 hour self-guided tour starting in Stirling, which happens to be the first community along the trail starting at the intersection of Highway 4 and 846 and west to the town of Raymond, along Highway 52, then following Highway 5 past Magrath, all the way to Cardston.

In recent years a group was formed to unite all these communities along the Mormon Trail. Each year the communities of Stirling, Raymond, Magrath & Cardston, partner together to hold annual events such as Chautauqua, to show local talent and history of the Mormon communities along the trail.

Museums

[edit]
Michelsen Farmstead Provincial Historic Site of Alberta
  • Michelsen Farmstead[34] - a typical farmstead found throughout Stirling in the early 1900s. The Michelsen's farmstead was declared a Provincial Historic Site of Alberta in 2001, and is maintained by the Stirling Historical Society who have restored the farm back to its 1930s heritage. Located on the corner of 6th Street and 2nd Avenue.
  • Bishop's storehouse, Also known as Lord's storehouse, moved to its current location next to the Kiosk on the corner of 1st Street and 4th Avenue.

Local attractions

[edit]
  • Stirling Lions Club Fish Pond, stocked every year with new fish for fishing. Corner of 7th Street and 4th Avenue.
  • Centennial Park, a community park with swimming pool, playgrounds, a tennis court, basketball courts, reunion center, a senior citizen's center, baseball diamonds and campground.
  • William T. Ogden House, a Neo-Classical style house that is declared as a Provincial historic site of Alberta located in Stirling. Every year around Halloween the owners of the home decorate the 7,000 sq ft (650 m2) house as a live haunted house, making it the largest haunted house in southern Alberta. 441 4th Street.[35]
  • Lost Frontier Mini-Railway,[36] a small train park open by booking from May to October and is a very popular local attraction. Located on the grounds of the William T. Ogden House, the park also has a petting zoo, a mini village, a large Cuckoo clock as well as the "worlds smallest church". 441 4th Street.
One of Stirling's decorative banners

Events

[edit]
  • Stirling Community Garage Sale (Saturday of Victoria Day weekend), community garage sale held by the Stirling Historical Society.
  • Lions Community BBQ (June), community BBQ held at the Stirling Lions Hall.
  • Stirling Settler Days (July), after Stirling's founding on May 5, 1899, the 24th of July, previously known as "Pioneer Day" & now called "Stirling Settler Days", was celebrated to mark the Mormon pioneers' arrival in the Salt Lake Valley.
  • Stirling Fall Festival (September), held at the grounds of the Michelsen Farmstead each year. Visitors get to make rope, stick dolls, and dipped candles, there are also wagon rides as well as kiddie games.
  • Harvest Dance (October), also held at the Michelsens farmstead, Old-fashioned Barn dance.
  • Lions Christmas Dinner (November), a community dinner with traditional home cooking.
  • A Victorian Christmas (December), a dinner and show at the Galt Historic Railway Park.
  • Santa Claus Mansion (December), held at the William Ogden House in conjunction with the town's Christmas lights tour.
  • Christmas Lights tour (December), held in conjunction with the Santa Claus Mansion to view citizen's Christmas light displays.

Regional attractions

[edit]
Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum

The Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum[37] features a Hadrosaur (duck-billed dinosaur) nest and embryo, ancient fossils, dinosaur models, located in the Village of Warner.

Galt Historic Railway Park

The Galt Historic Railway Park located 1 km north of Stirling is another popular museum which displays the life and travel of the late 1880s to early 1920s in the restored 1890 North-West Territories International Train Station from Coutts, Alberta, Canada, and Sweetgrass, Montana, USA. The station was moved to the current location near Stirling in 2000 and is added onto every year.

Waterton Lakes National Park

Waterton Lakes National Park is a national park located in the extreme southwest corner of Alberta, Canada, 40 km west of Cardston, and borders Glacier National Park in Montana, USA. Waterton Lakes was Canada's fourth national park formed in 1895. The Rocky Mountains rise suddenly out of the rolling prairies in the park. Amid the peaks are the three Waterton Lakes, carved out of the rock by ancient glaciers.

Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park

Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, 44 km east of Milk River, is one of the largest areas of protected prairie in the Alberta park system, and serves as both a nature preserve and protection for the largest concentration of rock art, created by Plains People. There are over 50 rock art sites, with thousands of figures, as well as numerous archeological sites.

Education

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Stirling School 1902, demolished 1957

Stirling has one school that covers Kindergarten through grade 12 in the Westwind School Division. Enrollment for Stirling School[38] was 322 in 2006.

Stirling School is home to a few athletic teams, from volleyball to badminton, even golf.

Sports

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In 1924, rodeo pioneer and Stirling cowboy Earl W. Bascom[39] designed and made rodeo's first one-hand bareback rigging,[40][41] which is now standard rodeo equipment used around the world,[42] making Stirling the "Home of the Modern Rodeo Bareback Rigging."[43] Earl Bascom is considered the world's greatest inventor of rodeo equipment[44] and has been called the "Father of Modern Rodeo."

The high school girls basketball team, the Lakettes, won the 1A girls basketball provincial championships in 1997–1999. They placed in three other provincial championships between 1996 and 2006, and won or placed second for 6 straight years between 1996 and 2003.[citation needed]

The high school boys basketball team, the Lakers, won the 1A boys basketball provincial championships in 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008. They placed second in three other provincial championships between 1996 and 2006, and have played in 6 of the last 10 championships.[45]

In 2006 the final game was a decisive 98–68 victory over the third-ranked Youngstown Falcons. Besides the provincial title, the Stirling Lakers recorded a season of 30 wins, 9 losses, and 3 other tournament champion titles, including the 1A South Zone Title, the Picture Butte Sugar King Invitational, and the Mccoy Invitational.[citation needed]

The Stirling Lakers followed up their 2006 season with another provincial title in 2007.[citation needed]

The Lakers were victorious in the championship game over their rivals from Foremost.

On their way to provincials, the Lakers were also crowned South Zone champions.

In 2008 Stirling hosted provincials and ended up winning their third provincial title in a row.[citation needed]

Media

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Stirling is served by a number of regional newspapers including the Westwind Weekly, Lethbridge Herald, and Prairie Post. At one time, Stirling had a newspaper of its own called the Stirling Star.[46]

Newspapers

  • Lethbridge Herald
  • Prairie Post, a newspaper focused on Alberta and the southwest region of Saskatchewan.
  • Stirling Star was Stirling's newspaper printed in New Stirling until the late 1930s.
  • Westwind Weekly, a weekly newspaper featuring news from Stirling and surrounding communities.

Movies

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Stirling the Junction Town Lethbridge Herald Archives[permanent dead link] Retrieved on September 28, 2008.
  2. ^ Village of Gardens Lethbridge Herald Archives Retrieved on January 15, 2009.
  3. ^ "Location and History Profile: Village of Stirling" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 21, 2016. p. 562. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. May 9, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  6. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "Stirling Agricultural Village National Historic Site of Canada". www.pc.gc.ca. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  8. ^ "Atlas of Alberta Railways -- The Canadian Pacific Railway". railways.library.ualberta.ca.
  9. ^ "The Beginning: Narrow Gauge to Lethbridge".
  10. ^ Book: The Mormon Cultural Landscape at Stirling Agricultural Village, Alberta By Robert M. Graham
  11. ^ Hicken, John R (1968). Events Leading to the Settlement of the Communities of Cardston, Magrath, Stirling and Raymond, Alberta. Logon, Utah: Utah State University. p. 78.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "SMITH, PLAN FOR CITY OF ZION". urbanplanning.library.cornell.edu.
  13. ^ A Cultural Landscape History of Stirling, Alberta by Elise A. Corbet
  14. ^ North Western Coal and Navigation Company[permanent dead link] Retrieved on August 2, 2007
  15. ^ Canadian Pacific Railway History of the Railway. Retrieved on July 5, 2008.
  16. ^ Alberta Place Names - Maybutt, Alberta
  17. ^ Canadian Heritage Parks Canada - Book: A Cultural Landscape History of Stirling, Alberta - By Elise A. Corbet
  18. ^ New Stirling Picture Gallery Ghost towns of Canada Retrieved on September 14, 2017.
  19. ^ Weather Environment Canada. Retrieved on August 26, 2008.
  20. ^ Environment CanadaCanadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed March 23, 2010
  21. ^ South Grow Regional Initiative "Stirling - Community Profile"[permanent dead link] Retrieved on January 4, 2008
  22. ^ Stirling Business Directory Archived June 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on August 31, 2008.
  23. ^ 2017 Municipal Affairs Population List (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. ISBN 978-1-4601-3652-2. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  24. ^ 2016 Municipal Affairs Population List (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. ISBN 978-1-4601-3127-5. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  25. ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  26. ^ "Official Voting Results Raw Data (poll by poll results in Stirling)". Elections Canada. April 7, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  27. ^ "Official Voting Results by polling station (poll by poll results in Stirling)". Elections Alberta. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  28. ^ "Red Coat Trail". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
  29. ^ "Stirling Emergency Services". Stirling Fire Department. Archived from the original on July 24, 2009. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
  30. ^ "Stirling's recreational facilities". Village of Stirling. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  31. ^ "Theodore Brandley Library". Chinook Arch Regional Library System. Archived from the original on June 26, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  32. ^ "Milk River Ridge Reservoir". County of Warner No. 5. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  33. ^ Canada's Mormon Trail
  34. ^ Michelsen Farm "The Michelsen Farm - an Historic Landmark". Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  35. ^ William T. Ogden House Stirling Haunted Mansion. Retrieved on August 2, 2007
  36. ^ William T. Ogden House Lost Frontier Mini-Railway. Archived May 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on August 2, 2007
  37. ^ "Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum". Village of Warner. Archived from the original on July 29, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  38. ^ Stirling School. Retrieved on August 2, 2007
  39. ^ Stirling Sunset Society, Stirling: Its Story and People 1899-1980, "Earl W. and Nadine Bascom", publisher=Stirling Sunset Society (1981), pp.210-13, ISBN 0889252343
  40. ^ "Home". WESTERN HORSE REVIEW. October 28, 2011.
  41. ^ "What did the earl of cardigan invent?". Answers.
  42. ^ "AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST". AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST.
  43. ^ "First rodeo champion inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame › Westwind Weekly".
  44. ^ "Yahoo". Yahoo.
  45. ^ Alberta Schools' Athletic Association website Archived May 28, 2006, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on March 1, 2006.
  46. ^ New Stirling Star Archived May 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on August 2, 2007
  47. ^ YOUNG, KATHY. "Earl Bascom and the Calgary Stampede". vvdailypress.com.
  48. ^ Stirling Sunset Society, Stirling: Its Story and People 1899-1980, "Earl W. and Nadine Bascom", Stirling Sunset Society (1981), pp.210-13, ISBN 0889252343
  49. ^ Vicroy, Kevin. "2016 Bascom's".
  50. ^ Mason, Terri (November 2, 2010). "Earl Bascom | Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine". www.cowboycountrymagazine.com.
  51. ^ "First Rodeo Cowboy in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame – Elite Equestrian magazine".
  52. ^ "Rodeo Canada - Official Home of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association". rodeocanada.com.
  53. ^ "Earl Bascom Honored On National Cowboy Day". WESTERN HORSE REVIEW. August 19, 2014.
  54. ^ Wood, Jan Swan. "Earl Bascom: The Father of Modern Rodeo". www.tsln.com.
  55. ^ "Earl Bascom". IMDb.
  56. ^ "Earl Wesley Bascom - Biography". www.askart.com.
  57. ^ "Fine art for sale | Fineartestate | Gallery". Fineartestate-fine-art-gallery.
  58. ^ "Earl Bascom: Master Sculpture and The Cowboy of Cowboy Artists". www.bascombronze.com.
  59. ^ "Biography of Theodore Brandley". Stirling Historical Society. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  60. ^ Canadian Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame Biography of Reg Kesler Retrieved on August 2, 2007
  61. ^ Nelson, Darrel. Prete, Roy A.; Prete, Carmen T. (eds.). "Southern Alberta: The Ongoing Mission". Canadian Mormons: History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU Religious Studies Center. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
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49°30′8″N 112°31′0″W / 49.50222°N 112.51667°W / 49.50222; -112.51667 (Stirling)