Strathmore, a charming town nestled in southern Alberta, Canada, is a hidden gem surrounded by the picturesque Wheatland County. Conveniently located along the Trans-Canada Highway, it's just a short 50-kilometre (30-mile) drive east of Calgary.
The town of Strathmore traces its origins back to 1883, when it was established as a hamlet for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) lines. The CPR named the town in honour of one of its benefactors, Claude Bowes-Lyon, the Earl of Strathmore. The Earl's granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth, consort to King George VI, graced the community with her presence on the "Royal Train" in late May 1939.
Strathmore holds a unique place in railway history. A track-laying record was set between Strathmore and Cheadle during the railway's construction. In a single hour, one mile (1.6 km) of steel was laid, and by the end of the ten-hour working day, the rails extended to Cheadle, a total of 9 miles (14 km).
The passing of the Canadian government's Dominion Lands Act in 1872, which encouraged settlement, significantly boosted Strathmore's population and its importance as a rail supply stop. The first school in Strathmore opened its doors in 1908. Although the CPR railway tracks are now gone, the land has been subdivided.
In 2011, Strathmore celebrated its centennial and commemorated the occasion with the release of the book "100 Years of Memories: Celebrating Strathmore’s Centennial" through Polished Publishing Group in early 2012.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Strathmore had a population of 14,339 living in 5,517 of its 5,754 total private dwellings. This represented a 4.2% increase from its 2016 population of 13,756. With a land area of 26.98 km2 (10.42 sq mi), it had a population density of 531.5/km2 (1,376.5/sq mi) in 2021.
In the 2016 Census of Population, Strathmore recorded a population of 13,756 living in 5,148 of its 5,358 total private dwellings, a change of 11.8% from its 2011 population of 12,305. With a land area of 27.4 km2 (10.6 sq mi), it had a population density of 502.0/km2 (1,300.3/sq mi) in 2016.
The Town of Strathmore's 2015 municipal census counted a population of 13,327, a change of 7.9% from its 2012 municipal census population of 12,352. At its current population, Strathmore is one of the largest towns in the province and is eligible for city status. According to Alberta's Municipal Government Act, a town is eligible for city status when it reaches 10,000 residents.
While Strathmore does not have a public transit system, residents without personal vehicles can use a local taxi or the Strathmore Handi-Bus. The Handi-Bus, initially administered by the Town of Strathmore, is a service for residents with mobility issues that operates on-demand. The program is now managed by the non-profit charity, the Strathmore Handibus Association.
