Evansburg, Alberta is a charming hamlet nestled in west-central Alberta, Canada, within the boundaries of Yellowhead County. Situated on Highway 16A, it is approximately 88 kilometres west of Edmonton and 96 kilometres east of Edson. The hamlet is conveniently adjacent to the Pembina River and the Pembina River Provincial Park, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers.
Evansburg was named in honour of Harry Marshall Erskine Evans, a former mayor of Edmonton and advisor to the Government of Alberta. The hamlet's post office, a cornerstone of the community, has been in operation since 1914. Originally incorporated as a village, Evansburg dissolved to become a hamlet within Yellowhead County on June 30, 1998. Today, Statistics Canada recognizes Evansburg as a designated place.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Evansburg had a population of 717 living in 334 of its 371 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -9.8% from its 2016 population of 795. With a land area of 2.84 km2, it had a population density of 252.5/km2 in 2021.
The Tipple Park Museum is a cultural gem in Evansburg, preserving and showcasing the hamlet's railway, agricultural, and coal mining history. The museum's symbol is a tipple, a structure at a mine used to load ore or coal, reflecting the community's rich industrial heritage.
Evansburg has gained a degree of fame across Canada for being the "Home of the Grouch." Every August, as part of the community's Pembina Valley Daze festival, the community chooses the "Town Grouch". This tradition began in 1961 when local artist John Lauer created a new welcome sign for the community, humorously listing Evansburg's population as "603 people, 29 dogs, 41 cats, and one grouch." In 1979, the Evansburg Chamber of Commerce decided to settle the question of the grouch's identity by holding an election. The chosen citizen becomes Evansburg's ambassador, representing the community at trade shows and conferences across Canada.
Evansburg is a flag stop for Via Rail's The Canadian, which calls at the Evansburg railway station three times per week in each direction. This convenient transportation option makes Evansburg easily accessible for visitors and residents alike.
