In 1928, the railroad extended west from Whitelaw through the Beaver Indian Reserve across a stubble field where the Hamlet of Fairview was established. The community of Waterhole, five miles to the south, was packed onto skids and wagons and relocated to the railroad site. The first train rolled into Fairview on November 2, 1928. The hamlet was incorporated as a village on April 22, 1929. In 1949, the village was incorporated into the Town of Fairview.
Demographics
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Fairview recorded a population of 2,998 living in 1,251 of its 1,363 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 3,162. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2016. In the 2011 Census, the Town of Fairview had a population of 3,162 living in 1,266 of its 1,322 total dwellings, a -4.1% change from its 2006 population of 3,297. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2011. The median household income in 2005 for Fairview was $56,954, which is below the Alberta provincial average of $63,988.
In terms of recreation, Fairview offers indoor swimming at the Fairview Aquatic Centre, golfing at the Fairview Golf Course, skating at the Fairplex, skiing at the Fairview Ski Hill, curling, and bowling. In 2010, the Fairplex Arena underwent a major upgrade which included the addition of 5 more dressing rooms, roof repairs and extra storage space. The Fairview Regional Aquatic Centre was a $3.4M collaborative project taken on by the Town of Fairview and the M.D. of Fairview No. 136. The facility has a waterslide, a zero depth wading pool, a 25m lap pool, a tarzan swing, monkey bars, a whirlpool, and a climbing wall. The facility is home to the Fairview Olympians swim club and offers various programming. Cummings Lake is located north of the Town of Fairview. The Cummings Lake Recreation Area has six baseball diamonds, a day-use camping area, an overnight-use camping area, a playground and a boat launch. Cummings Lake has a 28-stall campground that offers coin-operated showers and toilets, free firewood, electrical hookups and non-potable water from a cistern via hand pump. 1000 Rainbow trout were stocked in Cummings Lake in both 2012 and 2013. Costing an estimated $3200. Surrounding the lake and campground area is a large portion of the trail system that stretches from 108 Avenue to the northern tip of Cummings Lake. The trail system loops around the lake, the golf course, and the town's reservoirs. The majority of the trail is paved, while the remaining is gravel. A of educational signed nature trail is connected to the main trail. Dunvegan Provincial Park is nearby in the Peace River valley. The DunveganFish and Game Association operate a 535-yard gun range near Fairview.
Sports
Notable people
Jordan B. Peterson, cultural critic, author, clinical psychologist, and University of Toronto psychology professor.
The Fairview Post is local newspaper that covers the town and surrounding area. It was founded by Hec MacLean, a renowned sportswriter that formerly worked for the Calgary Herald. It is now owned by Sun Media Corporation, under Quebecor. Fairview is also served bi-weekly by an alternative newspaper, The Vault Magazine.
