Champion, Alberta
| Champion | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
| Village of Champion | |
South side of Main Street Champion 2011
|
|
 |
|
| Coordinates: 50°14′15.8″N 113°08′56.6″W / 50.237722°N 113.149056°WCoordinates: 50°14′15.8″N 113°08′56.6″W / 50.237722°N 113.149056°W | |
| Country |
 Canada
|
| Province |
 Alberta
|
| Region | Southern Alberta |
| Census division | 11 |
| Municipal district | Vulcan County |
| Incorporated | |
| • Village | May 27, 1911 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | James F. Smith |
| • Governing body | Champion Village Council |
| Area (2016) | |
| • Land | 0.89 km2 (0.34 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 960 m (3,150 ft) |
| Population (2016) | |
| • Total | 317 |
| • Density | 356.5/km2 (923/sq mi) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
| Highways | Highway 23 |
Champion is a village in southern Alberta, Canada within Vulcan County. It is located on Highway 23, approximately 74 kilometres (46 mi) north of Lethbridge and 147 kilometres (91 mi) south of Calgary, Alberta.
Homesteaders began arriving in the Champion area in 1904 and 1905, mainly from the USA, Eastern Canada, and Britain. The vast prairie grasslands, cut through by the Little Bow River, provided ideal country for farming and ranching. One of these settlers was Martin G. Clever, who arrived in 1905. He homesteaded on the quarter section of land (160 acres) where the town of Champion is currently located.
The birth of the town was the product of the rapid settlement of the farming and ranching land in the area, but it was also fuelled by the discovery of coal. Homesteader Henry Therriualt opened the first coal mine in the area in 1906, and soon farmers were travelling from neighbouring towns (including Nanton and Stavely) to purchase coal from the Therriault mine. Their journey took them through the Clever homestead to reach the mine, and soon Martin Clever realized the business opportunity that presented itself.
Soon, a country store and a mail route were established. When the storeowner (George Mark) applied to have a government post office located, the burgeoning settlement required a name, and in honour of Martin Clever, Cleverville was christened. Several other thriving businesses soon sprung up, thanks to Martin Clever's offer of the free use of his land: Cleverville was soon home to three general stores, a millinery and linen shop, drug store, butcher shop, blacksmith shop, livery stable, restaurant, two real estate offices, lumber yard, Bank of Hamilton, and doctor's office.
...
Wikipedia