Stettler, a charming town nestled in east-central Alberta, Canada, is affectionately known as "The Heart of Alberta". Surrounded by the County of Stettler No. 6, this town offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Founded in 1905, Stettler was named after Swiss immigrant Carl Stettler. Carl Stettler was not only the founder of this town but also established a settlement east of the town at Blumenau. His influence extended to the nearby community of Castor, and he served on the first Town Council of Stettler.
Stettler is located in a region that experiences a humid continental climate, as per the Köppen climate classification Dfb.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Stettler had a population of 5,695 living in 2,384 of its 2,574 total private dwellings. This represented a -4.3% change from its 2016 population of 5,952. With a land area of 13.19 km2 (5.09 sq mi), it had a population density of 431.8/km2 (1,118.3/sq mi) in 2021. The median household income in 2005 for Stettler was $56,201, which is below the Alberta provincial average of $63,988.
Stettler is home to the Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions, offering rail tours on a line from Stettler to Big Valley, a 35 km (22 mi), one-hour trip.
The town also boasts a historic Parrish & Heimbecker grain elevator overlooking the railway tracks. This elevator, one of the last in Alberta and the only survivor of the three that previously operated in Stettler, now operates as a museum. It houses a 1887 Heeber and Son's Little Giant threshing machine, a 1912 International Harvester hit-and-miss engine called the Beast, and a 1940s Ford tractor named Mickey Mouse.
Stettler's county museum features the original town train station and other historic buildings. The Jewel Theatre, built in 1952, was renovated in 2021 to become a 200-seat theatre, adding to the town's cultural offerings.
Explore Stettler, Alberta, and experience the heart of Alberta's history, culture, and natural beauty.
