Vermilion, Alberta, a charming town nestled in central Canada, is surrounded by the County of Vermilion River. It is strategically located at the intersection of Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) and Highway 41 (Buffalo Trail), approximately 60 kilometres west of Lloydminster and 192 kilometres east of Edmonton.
The history of Vermilion, Alberta dates back to 1902 when settlers, mostly of British ethnic background, arrived from the east. The town also has a significant Ukrainian population, who mostly travelled from the west.
In 1904, a post office was established at Breage, about 5 km east of the present townsite. The arrival of the Canadian Northern Railway in 1905 marked a significant milestone in Vermilion's history. The railway station, water tower, large roundhouse, extensive yard, a wye, a turntable, and a bunkhouse for engine crews made Vermilion a crucial divisional point.
Vermilion was incorporated as a village in early 1906 and later that year as a town. The town's name, Vermilion, was inspired by the red clay found in the river valley. The first businesses in Vermilion included a brick factory, which operated from 1906 until 1914. Some buildings constructed from bricks from this factory are still standing today.
The Vermilion Signal, the first newspaper in the area, was founded and edited by William Bleasdell Cameron, a survivor of the Frog Lake Massacre. In 1909, S.R.P. Cooper established the Vermilion Standard, which continues to publish to this day.
In 1911, the provincial government established three demonstration farms near Olds, Fairview, and just west of the Vermilion townsite. The Vermilion School of Agriculture officially opened on November 17, 1913, becoming the first of the provincial agricultural colleges. The school has undergone several name changes over the years, including Vermilion Agricultural and Vocational College and Vermilion College, before becoming Lakeland College in 1975.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Vermilion, Alberta had a population of 3,948 living in 1,678 of its 1,976 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -3.3% from its 2016 population of 4,084. With a land area of 12.72 km2, it had a population density of 310.4/km2 in 2021.
Vermilion, Alberta is a vibrant hub of arts and culture. The Vermilion Agricultural Society hosts an annual fair, which started in 1906. The fair begins with a parade on Thursday morning and lasts for three days on the last weekend in July.
Vermilion, Alberta is home to the Vermilion Provincial Park, located on the northwest side of the town. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including camping, fishing, canoeing, and trails for hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing.
