Innisfail, Alberta, a town nestled in the heart of central Canada, is a place where history and modernity intertwine. Situated in the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor, south of Red Deer, Innisfail is conveniently located at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 54.
The town's name, Innisfail, is an Irish-language epithet for Ireland, translating to "Isle of Destiny". Before adopting this name, the town was commonly known as "Poplar Grove". The first settlers, Sandy Fraser, Napoleon Remillard, Arthur Content, and Bill Kemp, made Innisfail their home between 1884 and 1887.
One notable resident was Dr. Henry George, a prominent physician and coroner for Calgary and Central Alberta. He built a house known as "Lindum Lodge", which later became the Dr. George/Kemp house. This house was run as a boarding house by Bill Kemp and Kate Jane Kemp until the 1960s.
The arrival of the railroad brought more settlers and businesses to Innisfail. G. W. West, one of the first businessmen in the area, ran a general store, meat market, and grocery store, becoming Innisfail's first proprietor in 1891. By the 1900s, Innisfail had grown into a bustling village, home to businesses like the Union Bank, the Murray Hotel, Hotel Alberta, the New York Café, the Modern Café, the Paris Café, the Opera House, and the West Store.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Innisfail, Alberta had a population of 7,985 living in 3,352 of its 3,670 total private dwellings. This represented a 1.8% increase from its 2016 population of 7,847. With a land area of 19.39 km2 (7.49 sq mi), it had a population density of 411.8/km2 (1,066.6/sq mi) in 2021.
In the 2016 Census of Population, Innisfail recorded a population of 7,847 living in 3,169 of its 3,509 total private dwellings. This was a slight decrease of 0.4% from its 2011 population of 7,876. The town's 2015 municipal census counted a population of 7,922, a 0.1% increase over its 2012 municipal census population of 7,922. The population was fairly evenly split between males and females, with the largest age categories being 75 and over, 50 to 54 years of age, and 55 to 59 years of age.
Innisfail, Alberta is home to a variety of attractions that cater to all interests. The town hosts the Daines Pro Rodeo and boasts the Anthony Henday Campground, the Dr. George / Kemp House Museum, and a downtown area filled with unique stores. History enthusiasts will enjoy the Historical Village museum and the nearby Napoleon Trails Gravesite.
Just 2 km south of Innisfail is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) dog training facility, a must-visit for animal lovers.
Innisfail, Alberta is served by the Innisfail Aerodrome, located northwest of the town, providing easy access for visitors and residents alike.
