Bentley, Alberta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bentley
Town
Town of Bentley
Shops in Bentley
Bentley Location in Alberta
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
Region	Central Alberta
Census division	8
Municipal district	Lacombe County
Incorporated
• Village	March 17, 1915
• Town	January 1, 2001
Area  (2021)
• Land	2.24 km2 (0.86 sq mi)
Elevation	910 m (2,990 ft)
Population  (2021)
• Total	1,042
• Density	464.4/km2 (1,203/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−7 (MST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Postal code span	T0C 0J0
Area code(s)	403
Highways	Highway 20 Highway 12
Waterway	Blindman River Gull Lake

Bentley is a small town in central Alberta, Canada. It's part of Lacombe County and is found along Highway 12. Bentley is about 28 kilometers (17 miles) northwest of Red Deer.

History of Bentley

The first people to settle in the Bentley area came from the United States between 1888 and 1890. They often traveled by walking or using oxen from Lacombe, which was the closest train station back then.

Early Community Life

A post office opened in Bentley in 1901, making it easier for people to send and receive mail. The first church was built by Methodists in 1890, and a schoolhouse followed in 1903. This shows how the community was growing and setting up important services for its residents.

Becoming a Village and Town

Bentley officially became a village on March 17, 1915. This meant it had its own local government. A big fire in 1916 destroyed many buildings on the south side of the community. To prevent future fires, the main road was made wider. In 1930, a special area in the middle of the road was built for fire protection, and street lights were added. Bentley officially became a town on January 1, 2001.

How Bentley Got Its Name

The town of Bentley was named after George Bentley. He was an early settler and worked as a sawyer, cutting wood. However, choosing this name was a bit tricky at the time. Major William B. McPherson, who was a veteran from the U.S. Civil War, opened the post office. Many settlers wanted the town to be named McPherson. But the sawmill workers, who were a larger group, wanted it named Bentley. Before 1915, people tried to name the village Oxford or Springdale, but these names were already used too often across Canada.

Population and Demographics

Understanding demographics helps us learn about the people living in a town.

Population Changes Over Time

In the 2021 Census, the Town of Bentley had a population of 1,042 people. These residents lived in 451 homes. This was a small decrease from its 2016 population of 1,078 people.

In the 2016 Census, Bentley had 1,078 people living in 441 homes. This was a slight increase from its 2011 population of 1,073 people. The town covers a land area of about 2.24 square kilometers (0.86 square miles).

Education in Bentley

Bentley has one public school called Bentley School. This school teaches students from Pre-Kindergarten all the way up to grade 12. It is managed by the Wolf Creek Public Schools district.

Notable People from Bentley

Some well-known people have come from Bentley:

• Dick Damron: A famous country music singer and songwriter.
• Perry Turnbull: A former player in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues, who also became an ice hockey coach.
• Clayton Beddoes: Another former NHL player, who played for the Boston Bruins and later became an ice hockey coach.