Bentley, Alberta

History

The first settlers came from the U.S. in 1888-1890 and either walked or drove oxen from Lacombe, which was the closest railroad station at that time. Post office opened in 1901. The first church was built in 1890 by the Methodists, and a schoolhouse was built in 1903. Bentley was incorporated as a village on March 17, 1915.

A disastrous fire destroyed all buildings on the south side of the community in 1916. The centre roadway was made 36 m wide and new buildings could not be constructed inside that area. In 1930, a centre boulevard was constructed for fire protection and street lights installed.

Another fire destroyed the famous grain elevator that was on the road signs coming into town. The fire was in 2022. 2 days before christmas. The local bar which was also a local landmark known as "the monkey top" got burned down as well. This fire was on January 16, 2024.

Bentley was incorporated as a town on January 1, 2001.

Town name

Bentley was named in honour of George Bentley, an early homesteader and sawyer, however at the time it was a controversial choice. When Major William B. McPherson, a U.S. Civil War veteran, opened a post office, settlers preferred McPherson's name, but they were outnumbered by the sawmill employees, who wanted Bentley. Prior to 1915, a petition was formed regarding the naming of the village. The original names of Oxford and Springdale were turned down as these two names had been frequently used across Canada.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Bentley had a population of 1,042 living in 451 of its 471 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 1,078. With a land area of 2.24 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Bentley recorded a population of 1,078 living in 441 of its 463 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 1,073. With a land area of 2.24 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

Education

Bentley has one public school, Bentley School (Pre-K to grade 12), administered by Wolf Creek Public Schools.

Notable people

• Dick Damron, country music singer, songwriter.
• Perry Turnbull, former NHL player with the St. Louis Blues and ice hockey coach
• Clayton Beddoes, former NHL player with the Boston Bruins and ice hockey coach

References

References

1. {{AMOS
2. (October 7, 2016). "Location and History Profile: Town of Bentley". [[Alberta Municipal Affairs]].
4. Hamilton, William. (1978). "The Macmillan Book of Canadian Place Names". Macmillan.
5. (2012-07-27). "Location and History Profile: Town of Bentley". [[Alberta Municipal Affairs]].
6. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/bentley-grain-elevator-a-small-town-icon-burns-down https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/bentleys-burnt-monkey-top-saloon-is-being-demolished-7329628
7. (1928). "Place-names of Alberta". Geographic Board of Canada.
8. Sanders, Harry M.. "Bentley: The Story Behind Alberta Names".
9. (February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". [[Statistics Canada]].
10. (February 8, 2017). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
11. "Wolfcreek Public Schools, Alberta".