Magrath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Magrath
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Town
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| Town of Magrath | ||
Wind farm west of Magrath.
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| Nickname(s):
Garden City
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 Magrath
Location in Alberta
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| Country |  Canada |
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| Province |  Alberta |
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| Region | Southern Alberta | |
| Census division | 3 | |
| Municipal district | Cardston County | |
| Incorporated | ||
| • Village | August 20, 1901 | |
| • Town | July 24, 1907 | |
| Area
(2016)
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| • Land | 5.99 km2 (2.31 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 983 m (3,225 ft) | |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 2,374 | |
| • Density | 396.4/km2 (1,027/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) | |
| Postal code span |
T0K 1J0
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| Area code(s) | +1-403 | |
Magrath is a town in Cardston County, Alberta, Canada. Its population was 2,217 in 2011. Magrath is located near the Canadian Rockies and is 32 km (20 mi) south of Lethbridge and 242 km (150 mi) south of Calgary.
History
Magrath was established in 1899 by settlers sent by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from Utah and Idaho. These Mormon settlers were recruited by the Alberta Railway and Irrigation Company to construct irrigation works in the area funded by British interests by the family of Sir Alexander Galt. The settlers were paid in cash and land in the town. This was the first major irrigation work in Canada and was made possible by the settlers' experience with the extensive irrigation projects undertaken by their church in Utah and Idaho. The area's irrigation canal system supplies water to farmers throughout Southern Alberta and was the first major irrigation project in Canada. In its early years Magrath was known as The Irrigation Capital of Canada, and later as "The Garden City" for its beautiful natural setting, plentiful trees, and its Garden of Eden-like characteristics. The design and layout of Magrath was based on the Mormon's 'Plat of Zion' urban design model. Magrath also has historical links to the internationally-recognized British Garden City tradition which was piloted in England during this same period.
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Magrath was named after Charles Alexander Magrath, the son-in-law of Sir Alexander Galt. Magrath post office was established 1 March 1900, with Ammon Mercer as first postmaster.
Demographics
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Magrath recorded a population of 2,374 living in 757 of its 794 total private dwellings, a 7.1% change from its 2011 population of 2,217. With a land area of 5.99 km2 (2.31 sq mi), it had a population density of 396.3/km2 (1,026/sq mi) in 2016.
The population of the Town of Magrath according to its 2013 municipal census is 2,376, a 3.2% increase over its 2010 municipal census population of 2,302.
In the 2011 Census, the Town of Magrath had a population of 2,217 living in 684 of its 748 total dwellings, a 6.5% change from its 2006 population of 2,081. With a land area of 4.97 km2 (1.92 sq mi), it had a population density of 446.1/km2 (1,155/sq mi) in 2011.
Religious affiliation
The following is a breakdown of Magrath’s population by religious affiliation from the 2001 federal census.
- Protestant: 84%
- Catholic: 4%
- No religious affiliation: 11%
- Christian Orthodox: <1%
- Christian (unspecified denomination): <1%
Statistics Canada includes 44 churches in its 2001 Protestant definition, including the Mormon denominations of the LDS Church and the Community of Christ.
The religious affiliation within Magrath is primarily from the LDS Church. There is a stake based in Magrath, which is composed of ten congregations (eight wards and two branches) in the town and surrounding area. As of June 2016, the total membership in the Magrath Alberta Stake was reported as 2433 members.
Attractions
- Buffalo Bin Elevator - Magrath, the first of five ever built in the Province. The "Buffalo Bin" style grain elevator was built as an experiential elevator for Alberta Wheat Pool in the 1970-1980s, today only three of the original buffalo bins remain. The others still standing are Foremost and Fort Saskatchewan.
- Galt Irrigation Canal, first major irrigation project in Canada, a National Historic Site of Canada.
- Galt Canal Nature Trail
- Magrath Golf club
- Magrath Skateboard Park
- Magrath Wind farm
