Contrary to the name, Forestburg is not in a forested part of the province. The geography is a mix of prairie and parkland. Forestburg is located in East Central Alberta, approximately 180 km southeast of Edmonton.. The rich farmland of the area was first settled in 1905. Soon after the first of many 'gopher hole' mines, homesteaders were soon coal mining on the banks of the Battle River in 1907. The townsite was surveyed in 1919 after the railway in 1916, and Forestburg was incorporated into a Village. Today Forestburg's economy is thriving with agriculture, coal mining, oil and gas activity, and power generation. With such industries, and employment available, residents have a friendly atmosphere with many young families. With approximately 75 businesses, the rate of employment is good. Forestburg has a good variety of retail and services, with major employment by Alberta Power Ltd., Forestburg Collieries Ltd., and Manalta Coal Ltd.Forestburg offers a nine-hole golf course, driving range, tennis courts, swimming, curling, baseball, and an abundance of parks and playgrounds. Today, Forestburg has a population nearly 900 people and it's land mass covers just over 2 square kilometers. |