Beverly, Alberta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Beverly
Area (former town)
Beverly, Alberta Location in Edmonton
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
City	Edmonton
Quadrant	NW
Ward	Métis
Sector	Mature area
Village	March 22, 1913
Town	July 13, 1914
Annexation	December 30, 1961
Elevation	658 m (2,159 ft)

Beverly was once a small town in Alberta, Canada. It was located near the city of Edmonton. Beverly started as a village on March 22, 1913. It became a town on July 13, 1914.

Later, Beverly joined with the City of Edmonton. This happened on December 30, 1961. At that time, about 8,969 people lived in Beverly. Today, Beverly is a part of northeast Edmonton. It was known as a coal mining community. The town was built overlooking the North Saskatchewan River valley. Many coal mines operated there in the early 1900s. These mines provided many jobs for the town's residents.

History of Beverly

The name "Beverly" was first used for this area in 1904. It seems to have been named after a place in Ontario. Soon, enough people lived there for it to be called a hamlet. A hamlet is a very small settlement.

Building the Clover Bar Bridge

In 1907, work began on the Clover Bar Bridge. The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) needed a way to bring trains north of the river. They built their own bridge further downstream from Edmonton. This bridge brought the railway right to Beverly. The GTPR later became a major shipper of coal in Alberta. Much of this coal came from mines in and around Beverly.

Becoming a Village and Town

When Beverly became a village in 1913, its council made a big decision. They decided to borrow money to build roads and sidewalks. They also wanted to buy fire equipment. It took some years for Beverly to get these important services. Other communities already had them.

Beverly grew very quickly. In 1914, just one year later, it officially became a town. Gustav C. Bergman was elected as the town's first mayor. The town needed a town hall. Allan Merrick Jeffers was hired to design it. He was a famous architect who also designed the Alberta Legislature Building.

The town hall was a busy place. It held the police station, courts, and fire services on the main floor. The upstairs was used as a dance hall and even a school. A town jail and a corral were also on the same property. A famous Canadian woman, Emily Murphy, worked there. She was a Justice of the Peace in Beverly.

Coal Mining and Hard Times

For most of its time as an independent town, Beverly relied on coal mining. Records show there were over twenty large coal mines. Many smaller operations also existed. The GTPR even built a special train track. This track went directly to two of the biggest mines.

The Great Depression in the 1930s was a very tough time. Beverly was hit especially hard. In 1936, the town had serious financial problems. In 1937, the province had to step in. They appointed an administrator to manage the town. This person managed Beverly until 1948. Many families in Beverly needed help during this period.

Joining Edmonton

In 1956, a special group suggested that Beverly should join Edmonton. The mayor of Beverly, John Sehn, agreed. Five years later, in 1961, Beverly residents voted on joining Edmonton. They were promised a new bridge over the North Saskatchewan River. About 62% of people voted yes.

Beverly officially became part of Edmonton on December 30, 1961. Edmonton took on Beverly's debt, which was about $4.16 million. The promised 50th Street bridge has not been built yet.

Beverly's Timeline

• 1897 – The Cloverbar Mine was already working.
• 1904 – The name "Beverly" was first used for the area.
• 1906 – The community was officially called a hamlet.
• 1908 – The Clover Bar Bridge was finished.
• 1910 – The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway built a train track. It went to the Humberstone and Cloverbar coal mines.
• 1913 – Beverly became a village on March 22.
• 1914 – Beverly became a town on July 13.
• 1936 – The Town of Beverly had financial difficulties.
• 1937 – The province appointed someone to manage the town.
• 1953 – The Beverly Bridge opened.
• 1954 – The Beverly Coal Mine stopped producing coal.
• 1955 – Jubilee Park was built where the old Beverly Coal Mine used to be.
• 1961 – The Town of Beverly joined the City of Edmonton on December 30.

Beverly Today

Today, the area that was once the Town of Beverly has five neighbourhoods. These are Abbottsfield, Beacon Heights, Bergman, Beverly Heights, and Rundle Heights. The old coal mines are now closed. However, you can still find many links to the old town. There's a park where the Beverly Mine once stood. Many buildings and neighbourhoods are named after important people from the old community.

Rundle Park is next to the Rundle Heights neighbourhood. It is named after Rev. Robert Rundle. He was the first Protestant missionary in the Fort Edmonton area. Rundle Park was once a landfill for the Town of Beverly. Special pipes in the park help release methane gas from below.

Abbottsfield is named after Abbott School. The school was named after Abe Abbott. He was a World War I veteran. Abe Abbott moved to Beverly in 1912. He was the caretaker of Beverly School from 1922 to 1958. Abbott School opened in 1960. The Abbottsfield area was originally full of coal mines. These mines were the main way people in Beverly earned money. Over 60% of Edmonton's coal came from Beverly mines in the early 1900s.

Population History

The table below shows the population of the neighbourhoods that make up modern Beverly.