Overview > History
> Native history > Location
The Village of Empress sits on an elevated flat plain between the Red Deer
River and the South Saskatchewan River, approximately three miles from their
junction.
The low altitude has produced a very warm climate and Empress
very often matches or surpasses the " hot spot " of Canada.The semi-arid
countryside lends itself to ranching and wheat farming and is home to deer,
antelope, Canada goose, the pear cactus, ball cactus, and its delicious cactus
berries.
Empress serves as a center to the surrounding farming and ranching community
of 1,500 people. It has been a focal point for many activities in the area.
It is also at the geographical center of many large cities in Western Canada:
Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon and Regina.
Good asphalt highways provide easy accessibility. Highway 41
runs from Southern Alberta (Medicine Hat) to Northern Alberta (Edmonton).
Highway 9 and 555 intersect with Highway 41 to provide access to the fore
mentioned cities. Empress is also equidistant to Vancouver and Winnipeg.
A paved unlicensed landing strip equipped with lights and search beacon affords
access by air. Locals use the airstrip and visitors alike as well as providing
access to health care facilities.
A council of three, a Mayor, Deputy Mayor and a Councilor, who are elected
to office every three years, run the Village. Council meetings are held the
third Thursday of each month except July and August as the council is in recess.
A Municipal Secretary and a banking agent operate at the Village Office, Tue. - Fri. 1pm - 5pm. A Village Foreman maintains our Village to our excellent standards. A part time person is hired during the summer months to help with grass cutting and general maintenance, and a part time person is hired to maintain Peter Fiddler Park from April to Sept.
Empress main streets and many side streets are paved. We have sidewalks and street lights on all blocks in the Village, which makes a stroll downtown, or anywhere easy and comfortable.
Empress has a unique history. Built as a railroad town, Empress
was destined to be the Hub of the West. Situated on the forks of two large
rivers, Empress is also central to major cities in the west.
Empress began in 1914. Canadian Pacific Railroad named Empress in honor of
Queen Victoria, Empress to India.
To commemorate the early years of Empress, Gallery 41 has commissioned a well
know Medicine Hat artist, Francis Dubois, to do pen and ink prints of some
buildings in Empress. The prints of the original CPR station which still stands,
are available from Gallery 41 with a portion of the proceeds going to the
restoration of the original building. These prints are double matted and framed
and are priced at $60.00. To purchase one please contact Gallery 41 or a member
of the Historical Society.
The Village of Empress and surrounding area has an amazing Native
Canadian history. TeePee rings Buffalo jumps an Effigy and a Medicine Wheel
can be found nearby.
Book a tour with a local historian for a visit into the past. Before the explorers,
and before the settlers came to Alberta, the Empress area was alive with Native
culture and daily life.
Come and have a look.
Photos Courtesy of Aaron and Lori Steinley
Knarls and Knots
Location
Empress is on the Alberta side of the Saskatchewan Alberta border. Take Highway
41 north from Medicine Hat, approximately 130 km from the Trans Canada Highway
# 1. Highway 41 is a very nice, well maintained route, with awesome scenery
along the way to Empress.
Empress is also easily accessible from highway 9 at Oyen. If you are traveling from Saskatoon to Calgary, we are not far off. Make the trip down highway 41 to Empress it's well worth it.
last updated July 2005
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