| Castor | |
| Official Name: | Town of Castor |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Pushpin Map: | Canada Alberta |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Castor in Alberta |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Canada |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Alberta |
| Subdivision Type2: | Region |
| Subdivision Name2: | Central Alberta |
| Subdivision Type3: | Census division |
| Subdivision Name3: | 7 |
| Subdivision Type4: | Municipal district |
| Subdivision Name4: | County of Paintearth No. 18 |
| Government Footnotes: | [1] |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Richard Elhard |
| Leader Title1: | Governing & body |
| Leader Name1: | Castor Town Council |
| Leader Title2: | MP |
| Leader Name2: | Damien Kurek |
| Leader Title3: | MLA |
| Leader Name3: | Nate Horner |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Title1: | Incorporated[2] |
| Established Date1: | |
| Established Title2: | • Village |
| Established Date2: | November 26, 1909 |
| Established Title3: | • Town |
| Established Date3: | June 27, 1910 |
| Area Footnotes: | (2021) |
| Area Land Km2: | 2.61 |
| Population As Of: | 2021 |
| Population Total: | 803 |
| Population Density Km2: | 307.9 |
| Timezone: | MST |
| Utc Offset: | −7 |
| Timezone Dst: | MDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | −6 |
| Coordinates: | 52.22°N -111.9094°W |
| Elevation Footnotes: | [3] |
| Elevation M: | 816 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code span |
| Postal Code: | T0C 0X0 |
| Area Code: | 403, 587 |
| Blank Name: | Highways |
| Blank Info: | Highway 12 Highway 36 |
| Blank1 Name: | Waterways |
| Blank1 Info: | Battle River Sullivan Lake |
Castor is a town in Alberta, Canada. It is located at the intersection of Highway 12 and Highway 861, approximately 143km (89miles) east of the City of Red Deer. It has an elevation 816m (2,677feet).
Castor is French (also Latin) for beaver.[4] The town is known for its duck and geese migration in the fall since its territory includes many stopping points well frequented by migrating waterfowl.
Castor was incorporated on July 13, 1910.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Castor had a population of 803 living in 383 of its 426 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 929. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2021.[5]
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Castor recorded a population of 929 living in 419 of its 448 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 932. With a land area of 2.63km2, it had a population density of in 2016.[6]
Castor's tourism peaks during the summer months. Each year Castor's lake-like creek that wraps around the north-east end of the town, is a large drawing point for visitors. This one of a kind creek is framed by sandstone cliffs, and a visit will usually be filled with numerous wildlife sightings. The creek is one of the best places on the Alberta prairies for Kayaking and paddle-boarding. Other creek activities include motor-boating and swimming. On dry years natural beaches form at the base of some of the cliffs, giving visitors opportunities to dock their kayaks, during parts of creek. In addition to the creek, the town hosts many museums, including the towns original hospital dating back to 1911, the Machine Shed Museum, the Pharmacy Museum housed in the towns original drug store, the Beaver School Museum, the historic All Saints Anglican Church, the Grain Elevator Historical Site, and the Train Station Museum.
The town's main industries are agriculture, mining and oil and gas services.
Castor is home to the Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital.[7]
The Town of Castor has two schools, one Public named Gus Wetter School and one Catholic named Theresetta Catholic School. A source of humour for those familiar with Castor is the name of Gus Wetter's school men's sports teams: The Castor Raiders.
The local newspaper is the Castor Advance covering news events occurring in Castor as well as neighbouring communities.
W. O. Mitchell was a teacher in Castor when he wrote Who Has Seen the Wind.