New Norway, Alberta
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New Norway | |
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![]() New Norway circa 1915
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Area | 1.3 km² |
Population | 292 (2001) |
Population density | 224/km² |
Location | |
Altitude | 745 m m |
Incorporation | 1909 |
Province | Alberta |
Census division | 10 |
MP | Kevin Sorensen |
MLA | LeRoy Johnson |
Mayor | |
City manager | |
Governing body | New Norway Village Council |
Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
Postal code | T0B |
Area code | +1-780 |
Village of New Norway |
New Norway is a small rural village located in the central prairies of Alberta, Canada. Named in 1895 and properly established in 1909, it is located on Hwy 21, approximately 100 km SSE of Edmonton and 22 km SW of Camrose, the closest major trading center.
With a population of less than 300, New Norway is home to a number of small businesses, and provides its inhabitants with an elementary and secondary school, local fire protection, and municipal services.
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[edit] Early history
In 1892, travelling first on the newly constructed Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) line, the Ole M. Olstad family disembarked in Wetaskiwin and made their way to the Duhamel settlement, which had been established for some years. The family quickly filed homesteads a few miles south for themselves and several relatives and friends in the United States. In addition they purchased available CPR land for $3.00/acre ($7.41/ha).
For a time the area was known as the "Olstead District". However, as other Norwegian families (along with those of other nationalities) settled in the area, the name changed to New Norway around 1895. By 1903 the fledgling community had a school, general store, and a blacksmith shop to its credit.
In the fall of 1909, in anticipation of the new Grand Trunk Pacific rail line being built nearby, the town was moved (by the use of skids and seven oxen) to its present location NW-11-45-21-W4 (see Dominion Land Survey). According to the Camrose Canadian, the townsite of New Norway was put on sale October 14, 1909, with 14 businesses filing intent to establish within the first month. Commercial lots sold from $100 to $250, and residential lots were priced from $50 to $150.
The first village council was elected on May 9, 1910 with Norman M. Smith, James F. Willows and Evan O. Olstad serving.
[edit] Geography
Nearby communities include:
[edit] References
- Memory Opens the Door - New Norway and District 1972. (Local History book, no ISBN)
- Statistics Canada - Government site for 2001 Census.
[edit] External link
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