Spirit River is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located north of Grande Prairie at the junction of Highway 49 and Highway 731. The first school opened in 1910 and the railroad arrived in 1916.
Demographics
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Spirit River recorded a population of 995 living in 442 of its 487 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 1,025. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2016. In the 2011 Census, the Town of Spirit River had a population of 1,025 living in 425 of its 471 total dwellings, a -10.7% change from its 2006 population of 1,148. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2011.
Economy
The community is largely agricultural, being located in the fertile Peace Country. It also features an active oil and gas industry. Together with Rycroft, Spirit River services an area of approximately 10,000 people.
Attractions
The town features the Richardson Pioneer Central Peace Aquatic Centre and the Spirit River and District Museum.
History
In 1891, a trading post became the original settlement along the banks of the Spirit River. Ranching in the area started as early as the 1840s and farming in the 1880s. In 1915, to the northwest, on Section 22, the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway subdivided a townsite called Spirit River Station. The residents and storekeepers at the old settlement then moved, creating a village in 1916. On February 16 of that year, the Herald Tribune reported that McRae & Co. opened a general store. Spirit River was incorporated as a town in 1951. In October 2013, a pipeline inspection crew working in the Saddle Hills area southwest of Spirit River unearthed a 10-metre long dinosaur fossil. It was later confirmed to be that of the duck-billed hadrosaur. The name Spirit River comes from the CreeChepe Sepe, or Ghost River. The Town of Spirit River, along with the Municipal District of Spirit River celebrated its centennial anniversary in August 2016.
Government
The Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133's municipal office is located in Spirit River. It is also home to the Peace-Wapiti School Board and provincial offices for Alberta Agriculture and Fish and Wildlife.
Infrastructure
;Transportation A paved airport accommodates medical emergency flights and private aircraft. ;Recreation The town features a curling rink, arena, outdoor pool, library, museum and community hall. ;Health care Spirit River is home to a hospital, the Central Peace Health Complex and a new Central Peace Health center that has three Physicians, Dentist, Physiotherapist and Massage Therapists A new 92 bed level 2/3/4 seniors care home to open 2024
Education
The town is home to two schools – Ste. Marie Catholic School and Spirit River Regional Academy.
Frank Grigware, who escaped from Leavenworth Prison while serving a life sentence for train robbery, was elected mayor in 1934 using the name James Fahey
