| Village of Stirling | |||
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| Motto: Experience The History | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country |  Canada |
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| Province |  Alberta |
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| Region | Southern Alberta | ||
| Census division | 2 | ||
| County | Warner | ||
| Founded | 1899 | ||
| Incorporated | September 3, 1901 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Larry Nilsson | ||
| - Village Manager | Scott Barton | ||
| - Governing body | Stirling Village Council | ||
| - MP | Rick Casson | ||
| - MLA | Paul Hinman | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 2.64 km² (1 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 935 m (3,068 ft) | ||
| Population (2006)[1] | |||
| - Total | 921 | ||
| - Density | 349.5/km² (905.2/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) | ||
| Postal code span | TOK 2EO | ||
| Area code(s) | +1-403 | ||
| Highways | Highway 4 Highway 846 |
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| Waterways | Etzikom Coulee Stirling Lake Milk River Ridge Reservoir |
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| Historic Sites | Galt Historic Railway Park Michelsen Farmstead |
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| Website: Village of Stirling Pictures Of Stirling |
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Stirling is a village in southern Alberta, Canada. It is located on Highway 4 31 km (19 mi) southeast of Lethbridge and 72 km (45 mi) northwest of the United States-Canada border.
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Demographics
In 2006, Stirling had a population of 921 living in 299 dwellings, a 5.0% increase from 2001. The village has a land area of 2.64 km² (1 sq mi) and a population density of 349.5/km² (905.2/sq mi).[1] Since 2006 Stirling has grown to 951 according to the 2007 Municipal Census, conducted on 22 May, 2007.
History
Stirling, founded in 1899 by Theodore Brandley, was one of 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 North Western Coal and Navigation Company. It is named after J. A. Stirling, Managing Director of The Trusts, Executors and Securities Corporation of London, which owned shares in the Alberta Coal and Railway Company.
Stirling is currently the best preserved example of the plat of Zion format, with large 10 acre blocks and wide streets, in a grid format. The Stirling Agricultural Village was designated as a Canadian National Historic Site.[2] On May 5, 1899, the first LDS settlers arrived and planned out the formal town site of Stirling. At the time, Alberta Rail and Irrigation ran a narrow gauge line diagonally from Lethbridge to Stirling and then to Coutts. The Canadian Pacific Railway later bought the rail line and needed extra space for a junction point for the line between Raymond and Foremost. This junction was named New Stirling. In 1912, New Stirling’s name was changed to Maybutt, after Mr. William Fisher’s wife, May Butt. Mr. Fisher was the original owner of the town site of Maybutt and the first owner of the Prairie Queen Hotel.
Education
Stirling has one school that covers Kindergarten through grade 12 in the Westwind School Division. Enrollment for 2006 was 322.
Sports
The high school girls basketball team won the 1A girls basketball provincial championships in 1997–1999. They placed in three other provincial championships between 1996 and 2006. The Lakettes won or placed second for 6 straight years between 1996–2003. The high school boys basketball team won the 1A boys basketball provincial championships in 2001, 2003 and 2006. They placed second in three other provincial championships between 1996 and 2006. The Lakers have played in 6 of the last 10 championships.[3] 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. 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.
Stirling Settler Days
In the days before automobiles, every town had it’s own way to celebrate the days of the pioneers. After Stirling's founding on May 5, 1899, the 24th of July, known as "Pioneer Day", now called Stirling Settler Days, was celebrated to mark the Mormon pioneers' arrival in the Salt Lake Valley. To start off the celebrations, a band would set up on a flat rack riding about the town playing music, soon to follow was a parade, the parades were stupendous with marching bands, colorful floats, and many fine horses. After the parade many people gathered at the “Meeting House’’ for a program, full of fun and enjoyment with musical numbers, readings and then an oration suitable for the occasion.
In the afternoon there was many games and races, like a greased pig race or chicken race, old men races, and even a horse pulling race. To end the celebration a dance was held in the evening.
On July 24, 1931, Stirling held its first Stampede, since then Stirling has continued many of these traditions as well as some new ones, like a pancake breakfast, firefighter games, a parade, movie in the park, community dance, a rodeo, and fireworks. The Stirling fireworks display is known as the “Best Little Fireworks” in southern Alberta.
Notable People
- Grant L. Spackman, former resident of Stirling, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force for 5 years and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross medal, from King George VI.
See also
- List of national historic sites of Canada
- List of provincial historic sites of Alberta
- List of communities in Alberta
- Villages of Alberta
- Historic Buildings in Stirling, Alberta
- Stirling Agricultural Village
References
- ^ a b Statistics Canada (Census 2006). Stirling - Community Profile. Retrieved on 2007-06-09.
- ^ Parks Canada. Stirling Agricultural Village
- ^ Alberta Schools' Athletic Association website
External links
- Pictures Of Stirling
- Village of Stirling
- Plat of the city of Zion, by Joseph Smith, Jr.
- Flag of Stirling
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Lethbridge | Coaldale | Taber | |
| Raymond |  |
Wrentham | ||
 Stirling  |
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| Magrath | Montana, USA | New Dayton |
 Subdivisions of Alberta |
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|---|---|
| Subdivisions | Regions · Census divisions · Counties and municipal districts · School districts · Regional Health Authorities |
| Communities | Towns · Villages · Hamlets · Indian reserves · Métis Settlements · Ghost towns |
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