Vulcan, Alberta
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| Town of Vulcan | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Alberta |
| Region | Southern Alberta |
| Census division | No. 5 |
| County | Vulcan County |
| Government | |
| - Governing body | Vulcan Town Council |
| Area | |
| - Total | 6.58 km² (2.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,055 m (3,461 ft) |
| Population (2006)[1] | |
| - Total | 1,940 |
| - Density | 294.8/km² (763.5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
| Postal code span | |
| Highways | Highway 23 Highway 534 |
| Waterways | Snake Creek |
| Website: Town of Vulcan | |
Vulcan is a town located midway between the cities of Calgary and Lethbridge, in the prairies of southern Alberta, Canada. The population of the town was 1,940 in 2006, and the population of the county, which is also named Vulcan, was 3,718. The town's economy is mainly agriculture-based. Wheat, canola and barley are the main crops grown in the Vulcan area.
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[edit] History
The town was named by a surveyor for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1915 after the Roman God of Fire - Vulcan. Originally all the streets of the new town of Vulcan were named after gods and goddesses of the classical world. In 1926 a major tornado destroyed many homes and the new curling rink of the town. At one time the town could also boast of having more grain elevators than any location west of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Due to the changing economics of the agricultural industry one by one the original elevators were taken down. Today Vulcan has only one of the original "prairie skyscrapers" left that once could be seen miles away.
An air force training base, RCAF Station Vulcan, was located a few kilometers southwest of the town during the Second World War. Many of the old hangars still exist and the runways can still be seen.
[edit] Tourism
The town's name has brought some attention that has helped it become a tourist attraction.[2] In the Star Trek television and feature film series it is the name of the fictional homeworld of the alien Vulcans.
Capitalizing on this coincidence, the town has built a Star Trek-themed tourist station (the Tourism and Trek Station), which provides tourist information, displays Star Trek memorabilia, and where visitors may participate in a space virtual reality game. Nearby, a replica based on the starship Enterprise used in the first Star Trek movie has been mounted on a pedestal. The town has also created space-themed murals and signs, and hosts the annual Star Trek convention known as Galaxyfest/Spock Days (formerly VulCon). This convention attracts hundreds of Star Trek fans from around the world.
[edit] Demographics
In 2006, Vulcan had a population of 1,940 living in 814 dwellings, a 10.1% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of 6.58 km² (2.5 sq mi) and a population density of 294.8/km² (763.5/sq mi).[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Statistics Canada (Census 2006). Vulcan - Community Profile. Retrieved on 2007-06-13.
- ^ Cernetig, Miro. "Small Town Ties Spacey Idea: Vulcan turns to 'Star Trek' to boost image", Toronto Globe and Mail, 1990-09-08.
[edit] External links
- The Town of Vulcan
- Vulcan & District Chamber of Commerce
- Vulcan Business Development Society Website
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