Claresholm, Alberta is a quaint town nestled in the heart of southern Alberta, Canada. Situated on Highway 2, it is approximately 91 km northwest of Lethbridge and 125 km south of Calgary. This town is not just known for its geographical location, but also for its rich history and the famous personalities it has been home to. One such personality is Louise McKinney, a member of the Famous Five involved in the Persons Case, who was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the area in the 1917 provincial election.
Claresholm's history dates back to 1891 when it served as a watering stop for steam engines on the Canadian Pacific Railway line along the Macleod Trail. The first settlers arrived in 1902, and the village was established in 1903. The town was incorporated in 1905, the same year Alberta became a province. The community was named after Clare Niblock, a pioneer citizen.
In 1913, Alberta established a demonstration farm and School of Agriculture at Claresholm. The town's first hospital opened in 1921 and was replaced by the current hospital in 1939. During World War II, the Royal Canadian Air Force Station Claresholm was established near the town in 1941 to train pilots. The base also trained pilots for the Korean War and NATO pilots. The base closed in 1958 and the hangars were converted to industrial use. Today, a portion of the former base operates as Claresholm Industrial Airport. The Claresholm Museum houses artifacts from the air base, including a Link Trainer.
Claresholm experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb). During winter, Chinook winds have been known to move temperatures from well below freezing to well above in a matter of hours.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Claresholm had a population of 3,804 living in 1,709 of its 1,826 total private dwellings, a change of 0.4% from its 2016 population of 3,790. With a land area of 10.51 km2, it had a population density of 361.9/km2 in 2021. In the 2016 Census of Population, the town recorded a population of 3,780 living in 1,644 of its 1,742 total private dwellings, a 0.6% change from its 2011 population of 3,758. With a land area of 8.11 km2, it had a population density of 466.1/km2 in 2016.
Despite its peaceful demeanor, Claresholm has also witnessed a tragic event. The Claresholm highway massacre took place just north of Claresholm on Alberta Highway 2 on December 15, 2011. The suspect killed three people then turned the gun on himself in a murder–suicide.
Despite this dark chapter, Claresholm, Alberta continues to be a town rich in history and charm, offering a unique blend of past and present for its residents and visitors alike.
