Airdrie, Alberta

From the Airdrie web site:

Airdrie was named after a village southeast of Glasgow Scotland. William McKenzie, a contracting engineer for Calgary and Edmonton Railway, named the village in 1889. The name "Airdrie" means "The King's Height". A unique feature of Airdrie is that its elevation makes it the highest city in Canada.

The first inhabitants of Airdrie were railway workers of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway. These workers lived in the station house.

Airdrie Railway Station 1904 The railway brought people to live in Airdrie. The steam-running trains would stop in town and were able to pick up water because Nose Creek remained ice-free year round. This created jobs for people which in-turn created a need for housing and services.

In due time, [the railroad] resulted in the building of a new town. Included was a water tower, suitable piping for transferring water underground from creek to reservoir.

It is interesting to note that the high water quality of Nose Creek, would bring the railway to Airdrie and subsequently more settlers.

It was not until 1929 that the first Pool elevator, a 40,000-bushel structure was built in Airdrie. With the loyal support of members in the district, handlings were large and in 1939 the elevator was twinned.

In August 1923, J.E. Gustus of Yankee Valley, signed marketing contract No.1 with the Alberta Wheat Pool and within a few days, scores of farmers from this rich, grain growing area had signed up.