Athabasca, originally known as Athabasca Landing, is a charming town nestled in northern Alberta, Canada. With a population of 2,759 as of 2021, it is situated 145 km north of Edmonton at the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 55. The town is beautifully located on the banks of the Athabasca River and serves as the centre of Athabasca County. The town's name was changed from Athabasca Landing to Athabasca on August 4, 1913.
The name "Athabasca" has its roots in the Cree language. Early spellings include "Araubaska" (Peter Pond) and "Athapescow" (Arrowsmith). The name has been interpreted in various ways, such as "where there are reeds" (Douglas) and "meeting place of many waters" (Voorhis). The town was first named Athabasca Landing around 1889, then changed to Athabaska in 1904, and finally reverted to Athabasca in 1948.
Unlike many other towns in Alberta, Athabasca predates the Canadian Pacific Railway. It lies on a southern protrusion of the Athabasca River, which was a crucial transportation route during the fur trade era. The Athabasca-Edmonton trail connected two different drainage basins, serving as a portage route for goods between river systems.
In 1876, the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) built a warehouse at Athabasca Landing to facilitate the supply route to Lesser Slave Lake. The site expanded in 1886 with a store, house, and larger warehouse, becoming a full trading post. By 1889, it was the HBC's headquarters of northern transport.
A devastating forest fire in August 1913 destroyed a large portion of the town, including 30 businesses. However, there was no loss of life, and the town was quickly rebuilt. The HBC post was reconstructed in 1914 and operated until 1924. Today, the Athabasca Heritage Society commemorates the town's history with signs throughout the downtown and riverfront areas, as well as a published historical walking tour.
Athabasca is home to the beautiful Narrow Lake. The town experiences a humid continental climate that borders on a subarctic climate. The highest temperature ever recorded in Athabasca was 38.3 °C on July 18, 1941, while the coldest was -54.4 °C on January 11, 1911.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Athabasca had a population of 2,759 living in 1,155 of its 1,325 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -6.9% from its 2016 population of 2,965. With a land area of 17.79 km2, it had a population density of 155.1/km2 in 2021. In the 2016 Census of Population, Athabasca recorded a population of 2,965 living in 1,194 of its 1,313 total private dwellings, a -0.8% change from its 2011 population of 2,990.
Athabasca boasts a well-developed infrastructure that supports its residents and visitors. The town's strategic location and rich history make it a unique destination in Alberta, Canada.
