The community takes its name from the Highwood River, which flows through the town. The area was originally inhabited largely by the Blackfoot First Nation, who called the site Ispitzee. By 1870, after the arrival of the North-West Mounted Police and after Treaty Number 7 had been signed in 1877, settlers began arriving into the region. High River's development centered on a convenient location for people, horses and cattle to cross the Highwood River - a location known as "The Crossing". Development of the town was supported by the completion of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway in 1892. High River incorporated as a village on December 5, 1901, and was incorporated as a town on February 12, 1906. Although growth slowed during the First World War, it continued after the war with the building of brick structures and a number of industries. One of Canada's first air force stations was constructed to the east of the town in 1921 The establishment of a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan elementary flying training school at the same air station helped boost High River's economy during the Second World War. High River continued to grow throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s the downtown saw some major redevelopment, and redevelopment is continuing.
Floods
The Highwood River is subject to frequent flooding. Flood events of exceptional magnitude occurred in 1894, 1899, 1902, 1908, 1912, 1923, 1929, 1932, 1942, 1995, 2005 and 2013. Most recently during the 2013 Alberta floods, thousands of people in Alberta were ordered to evacuate their homes after the rise of the Highwood River, Bow River, Elbow River Sheep River, and numerous others. In 2013, three people died as a result of the flooding of the Highwood River.
Geography
Climate
High River experiences a humid continental climate. Summer days are mild to warm with cool nights, while winters are cold and snowy with annual snowfall averaging 69 inches.
Demographics
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of High River recorded a population of 13,584 living in 5,367 of its 5,655 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 12,930. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2016. In the 2011 Census, the Town of High River had a population of 12,920 living in 5,261 of its 5,473 total dwellings, a 20.6% change from its 2006 population of 10,716. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2011. Following its 2012 annexation, Statistics Canada adjusted High River's 2011 population by an additional 10 people to 12,930. At its current population, High River is one of the largest towns in the province and is eligible for city status. According to Alberta's Municipal Government Act, a town is eligible for city status when it reaches 10,000 residents. The population of the Town of High River according to its 2010 municipal census is 11,783, a 3.9% increase over its 2009 municipal census population of 11,346.
Arts and culture
As part of High River's tourism and heritage endeavours, a number of murals illustrating High River's history were painted around town.
John "Pie" McKenzie, former professional hockey player
W. O. Mitchell, author
Glen Sather, former hockey player/head coach
Film and television
High River was used as a set for Smallville in Superman III, as well as High River, Montana in Nickelodeon's series Caitlin's Way. Recently, Heartland, a CBC television series has found High River its main filming spot. Also, the movie Carolina Moon based on the book by Nora Roberts was filmed in High River and the movie Moondance Alexander was also filmed in High River. Parts of the television series Fargo were filmed in High River. Tin Star, a British-Canadian drama series, was filmed in and around High River in 2016. A second series/season was shot in spring and summer of 2018.
