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Whitecourt Location
177 km. Northwest of Edmonton on Highway 43 at the
convergence of the Athabasca, McLeod, and Eagle Rivers.
History
First named Sagitawah (Cree for "where the rivers meet"), small HBC
sub-station 1887, first settler 1904-05, first timber berths sold 1985, name changed to Whitecourt in 1910. First train made the lumber industry big business in 1921, oil and gas exploration 1950's, first large gas find (Discovery well in Windfall field) in 1955, incorporated as a Town in 1959.
Population
8008 (as per 1999 Census)
Largest Age Group
25-44 years
Trading Area
Approximately 40 km east, 20 km south,
40 km north and 15 km west of Town.
Trading Area Population
22,000
Ground Transportation
Hwy #43 south to Edmonton and north to Peace River,
Hwy #32 north to Swan Hills and south to Edson, CNR (freight only).
Air Transportation
Airstrip with all-weather facilities.
Average Temperature
January: -16.6 Degrees C
July: +15.1 Degrees C
Annual Rainfall
40 cm
Annual Snowfall
174 cm
Frost Free Days
69
Hours of Sunshine/Year
2,056
Industries
Oil and gas, forestry, lumber/pulp, newsprint,
retail, tourism, sand/gravel, sulfur, agriculture.
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