The town of Athabasca is nestled in the picturesque Athabasca River valley, just 150 km north of Edmonton on Highway 2. Athabasca Landing, as the town was called between the years 1880 and 1914, became a jumping off point for the Peace and Athabasca trading rivers flowing to the Arctic. Today, the Town is the modern gateway to the new north country, its economic prospects, natural resource industries, tourism opportunities, natural beauty, and lifestyle choices. While the Town of Athabasca is steeped in historical tradition, it is focused on the future.
As the health, education, shopping, and service centre for the region, the Town of Athabasca and surrounding area offer something for just about everyone--business entrepreneurs, cottagers, campers and nature lovers, hunters and fishermen, history buffs, golf enthusiasts, retirees, and those seeking the pace of a small town and a rural lifestyle.Before the coming of the white man, native tribes chose the flats of Athabasca River as a resting place, a camping place, a place to meet their friends and to trade. The name Athabasca came from the Cree word "ATHEPESCOW" meaning a place of reeds and hay. The Hudson's Bay Company was active in Alberta after the first fort was established at Fort Edmonton and the North West Company was active at its fort at Fort Augustus, established in 1795. The first trappers showed the Indians the value of the skins they caught. The traders moved in behind the trappers and explorers in their efforts to obtain these valuable skins and furs. All furs were taken to the forts to be traded. It was not until after 1821 when the Hudson's Bay Company absorbed the North West Company that remote seasonal posts were established. The post at Athabasca was built in 1877. In these seasonal posts goods were shipped in and traded for furs which were baled and shipped out. When the trading was over, the traders departed and trappers arriving late had to travel to Fort Edmonton to trade. Today, Athabasca has a cozy population of about 2,500 people and it's land mass covers almost 17 square kilometers. |