Port Cornwall, Alberta Explained

Port Cornwall
Other Name:Fort Cornwall / Mirror Landing
Settlement Type:Former village
Pushpin Relief:yes
Pushpin Map:CAN AB Lesser Slave River#Alberta
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Port Cornwall
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Canada
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Alberta
Subdivision Type2:Region
Subdivision Name2:Northern Alberta
Subdivision Type3:Census division
Subdivision Name3:17
Subdivision Type4:Municipal district (MD)
Subdivision Name4:MD of Lesser Slave River No. 124
Government Type:Unincorporated
Leader Title1:Governing body
Leader Name1:MD of Lesser Slave River No. 124 Council
Established Title:Established
Established Title2:Incorporated (village)
Established Date2:October 27, 1913
Established Title3:Dissolved
Established Date3:September 11, 1917
Timezone:MST
Utc Offset:−07:00
Timezone Dst:MDT
Utc Offset Dst:−06:00
Coordinates:55.1669°N -114.0583°W
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Area Code:780, 587, 825
Blank Name:Highways
Blank1 Name:Waterways
Blank1 Info:Athabasca River, Lesser Slave River

Port Cornwall, also known as Fort Cornwall, is a former village in northern Alberta, Canada within the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124.[1] Prior to incorporation as a village, the community was known as Mirror Landing.[2]

Port Cornwall was located on the north shore of the Lesser Slave River at its confluence with the Athabasca River.[2] The Hamlet of Smith is located 1.4km (00.9miles) southeast of the former village across the Athabasca River.

History

In the late 19th century, Mirror Landing was a stopping point along a trail for travellers to the Peace Country from Fort Edmonton via Athabasca Landing. By 1911, Mirror Landing was one of numerous stopping points for unimpeded steamboat travel between Athabasca Landing and Lesser Slave Lake.[3]

The community was incorporated as the Village of Fort Cornwall on October 27, 1913,[4] although it was referred to as Port Cornwall as early as January 1914.[2] According to Alberta Municipal Affairs, Port Cornwall had a population of 200 in 1913.[5]

By early 1914, the village had over 30 businesses and numerous residences. Infrastructure included streetlights and sidewalks. It also included a government telegraph office and quarters for the Royal North-West Mounted Police. At this time, plans were also underway for the building of a school and a Methodist church.[2]

However, early 1914 would also spell the beginning of the end for the village. The Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway had reached the present location of Smith, across the confluence of the Lesser Slave and Athabasca rivers from Port Cornwall. Subdivision of the Smith townsite began as a result, and Port Cornwall's demise began.[3]

Ultimately, the Village of Port Cornwall later disorganized on September 11, 1917.[6]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Municipal Boundary Document Search: Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124 . Alberta Municipal Affairs . 2011 . 2011-07-05.
  2. News: Mirror Landing is now Port Cornwall . Edmonton Daily Bulletin . 1914-01-15 . 2011-07-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924100703/http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/newspapr/np_page2.asp?code=n6qp0133.jpg . 2015-09-24 . dead .
  3. Web site: A Physical, Biological and Land Use Synopsis of the Boreal Forest's Natural Regions of Northwest Alberta, Chapter 6 – Humans: Their Demographics, Employment, & Infrastructure . Leonard . David . Stelfox . Brad . Wynes . Bob . September 1999 . 2011-07-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120326154803/http://www.dmi.ca/about_dmi/dmi_in_alberta/prpd/detailed_forest_management_plans/documents/Ch6.HumansandtheirInfrastr.pdf . 2012-03-26 . dead .
  4. Web site: Notice – Village of Fort Cornwall (excerpt from The Alberta Gazette, November 15, 1913) . Alberta Municipal Affairs . 1913-11-15 . 2011-07-05.
  5. Web site: Population Data 1913 . Alberta Municipal Affairs . 1913 . 2011-07-05.
  6. Web site: Notice – Village of Port Cornwall (excerpt from The Alberta Gazette, September 29, 1917) . Alberta Municipal Affairs . 1917-09-29 . 2011-07-05.