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Edson - Profile

Edson is located on the Yellowhead highway (#16), 124 miles west of Edmonton, 98 miles east of Jasper and 281 miles northwest of Calgary. Other connecting highways in the area include highway #47 South, and secondary highway #748 north.

The railroad played the most important role in the location of Edson. When the Grande Trunk Pacific Railroad discovered that speculators had bought up much of the land in the Wolf Creek area, in anticipation that they would establish their Mountain Divisional Point there, officials moved the proposed site 8 miles west to its present day location. Originally called Heatherwood, the name was changed at the request of the residents, to Edson. This was in recognition of Edson J. Chamberlain, the General Manager of the Grande Trunk Pacific Railroad at that time.

Edson acted as the supply depot as the railroad pushed west. It was also the jumping off point for the homesteaders to the Grande Prairie region.

Today, Edson is a thriving town with many natural and developed recreational facilities. The economy of the area is based upon oil, natural gas, coal mining, forestry, agriculture and manufacturing.

Edson is the third largest town in Alberta and is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Fishing, camping, skiing, birdwatching, wildlife photography, snowmobiling, are only a few of the many recreational activities that entice visitors each year. However, Edson is most noted as the Slo-Pitch Capital of Canada. Each year over 250 teams from across Canada come to play in the town's annual Kinsmen Mixed Slo-Pitch Tournament at Vision Park. The park itself is note-worthy in that it is the largest ball park in the world, with over 20 diamonds.

Also, when you are in the area, make sure you visit one of the few remaining ferries in Alberta. The Rosevear Ferry crosses the Mcleod River on Highway #748. The crossing is free.

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