Derwent, Alberta Explained

Derwent
Settlement Type:Hamlet
Pushpin Map:Canada Alberta
Pushpin Label Position:none
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Alberta
Pushpin Mapsize:200
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Canada
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Alberta
Subdivision Type2:Region
Subdivision Name2:Central Alberta
Subdivision Type3:Census division
Subdivision Name3:10
Subdivision Type4:Municipal district
Leader Title:Governing Body
Leader Name:County of Two Hills No. 21 Council
Leader Title1:Reeve
Leader Name1:Allan Sayler
Leader Title4:MLA
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:1928
Established Title2:Incorporated
(Village)
Established Date2:June 25, 1930[1]
Established Title3:Dissolved
Established Date3:September 1, 2010
Area Footnotes: (2021)
Area Land Km2:0.37
Population As Of:2021
Population Total:96
Population Density Km2:261.4
Timezone:MST
Utc Offset:−7
Timezone Dst:MDT
Utc Offset Dst:−6
Coordinates:53.6541°N -110.967°W
Elevation M:617
Blank Name:Highways
Blank Info:Highway 45
Highway 41
Blank1 Name:Waterway
Blank1 Info:Lac Cote

Derwent is a hamlet in central Alberta, Canada within the County of Two Hills No. 21. It is located on Highway 45, approximately 41km (25miles) north of Vermilion.

Derwent dissolved from village status to become a hamlet on September 1, 2010.[2] It originally incorporated as a village on June 25, 1930.[1]

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Derwent had a population of 96 living in 54 of its 59 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 85. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2021.[3]

As a designated place in the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Derwent had a population of 85 living in 47 of its 68 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2011 population of 100. With a land area of 0.37km2, it had a population density of in 2016.[4]

Location

Derwent lies 41 km north of Vermilion, 35 km south of Elk Point, 20 km east of Myrnam, and 38 km west of Dewberry on Highway 45, 7 km west of Highway 41.

History

Established in 1928 when the Canadian Pacific Railway opened a rail line through the region, it was named after Derwent, Derbyshire, England.[5] Prior to this name, the community was briefly known as Monkman (purportedly after the temporary stay in the community of Albert Monkman, an important member of the 1885 Metis Provisional Government headed by Louis Riel) and, before that, the Native Americans of the region referred to it as Penguix. The population peaked at 301 in 1959, but declined rapidly after the construction of the bridge to Elk Point and the closure of the local grain elevator.[6] The subsequent abandonment of the Lloydminster to Starr rail line in 2005 - 2007 signaled the final chapter in Derwent's rail access. Only two new homes have been built since the 1980s and the last business building permit issued was in 2001.[7]

Education

There are no schools currently operating in Derwent. The nearest public school is New Myrnam School (K-12) in Myrnam.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Organization of the Village of Derwent (The Alberta Gazette) . Government of Alberta . 1930-06-25 . 2010-08-31.
  2. Web site: Order in Council (O.C.) 229/2010 . Alberta Queen's Printer . 2010-07-15.
  3. Web site: Population and dwelling counts: Canada and designated places . . February 9, 2022 . February 10, 2022.
  4. Web site: Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta) . . February 8, 2017 . February 13, 2017.
  5. Web site: Derwent - History . University of Alberta. University of Alberta. 2007-06-21.
  6. Web site: Municipal Populations 1913-2006 . Government of Alberta. Government of Alberta. 2007-06-21.
  7. Web site: Derwent - Community Profile . Alberta First. 2007-06-21.