Vulcan, Alberta

History

Vulcan was named by a surveyor for the Canadian Pacific Railway after the Roman God of Fire – Vulcan. Originally, all the streets of Vulcan were named after gods and goddesses of the classical world such as Juno, Mars, and Jupiter.

The community was incorporated as a village on December 23, 1912, and then as a town on June 15, 1921. In July 1927, a major tornado destroyed many homes and the new curling rink in the town. That tornado was made famous when a photograph of it approaching Vulcan was used for the "tornado" article in Encyclopædia Britannica.

The first newspaper to serve the area was The Vulcan Review, which began in 1912 and was published for one year. The Vulcan Review was followed by the Vulcan Advocate in 1913, which is still being published today as member of Sun Media Community Newspapers part of Postmedia Network.Vulcan once had nine grain elevators, more than any other location west of Winnipeg, making it the largest grain shipping point at that time. Due to the changing economics of the agricultural industry, the original elevators were taken down one by one. Today, Vulcan has only one of the "prairie skyscrapers" left that once could be seen miles away. Although not original, this last wooden elevator was built in the 1980s.

A British Commonwealth Air Training Plan air force base, RCAF Station Vulcan, was located 5.7 NM southwest of the town during the Second World War. Many of the old hangars still exist and the runways can still be seen. It is now operated as Vulcan/Kirkcaldy Aerodrome and some of the old runways are still in use. There is a second airport, Vulcan Airport.

In 2015 the town council voted to form Heritage Advisory Board Committee to manage the historical sites in Vulcan County.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Vulcan had a population of 1,769 living in 806 of its 876 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 1,917. With a land area of 6.28 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Vulcan recorded a population of 1,917 living in 829 of its 879 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 1,836. With a land area of 6.34 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

Economy

The town's economy is mainly tourism and agriculture-based. Wheat, peas, canola and barley are the main crops grown in the Vulcan area.

Oil and gas is another industry that employs many residents of Vulcan.

Tourism

Since 1990, Vulcan has hosted the annual Vulcan Tinman Triathlon, which takes place at the beginning of June. This sprint-distance triathlon attracts nearly 1,000 participants. There are classes for adults of all ages and skill levels as well as for teams and children.

The town's name has brought some attention that has helped it become a tourist attraction. In the Star Trek television and feature film series it is the name of the homeworld of Mr. Spock and his fellow Vulcans. Capitalizing on this coincidence, the town has built a Star Trek–themed tourist station (the Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station), which provides tourist information and displays an extensive donated collection of Star Trek memorabilia. The Trek Station also offers unique photo opportunities and interactions with iconic Star Trek characters in their ever-evolving Cosplay Costume Collection. Nearby, a replica of the starship Enterprise from Star Trek V has been mounted on a pedestal which includes writing from Star Trek alien languages, Klingon and Vulcan. In 2010, Leonard Nimoy visited the town and was honoured at the town centre with a bust and handprint. A transporter, Doctor's Mural and other Star Trek attractions can be experienced throughout the town. The Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station has hosted an annual Star Trek Convention (held the last weekend in July) "VulCON" since 1993 where celebrity guests are "beamed" in to spend the weekend with attendees. It is a unique convention in that celebrity guests & Trekkies get to know each other during the Meet & Greet, Q&As and a banquet and dance. This convention attracts hundreds of Star Trek fans from around the world.

The town also hosts another annual event called "Spock Days". This is a family-friendly weekend with a parade, children's spaces, a ball tournament, fireworks and more.

Infrastructure

Healthcare

Vulcan Community Healthcare Centre

The Vulcan Community Healthcare Centre offers emergency and long-term care medical services. The hospital had 5,125 visits for emergency medical services in the 2013/2014 year. It has eight medical beds with 15 long-term care beds and hosts a medical clinic.

Geography

Climate

Vulcan experiences a dry continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) with long, cold winters and short, warm summers. | Jan record high C = 15.0 | Feb record high C = 23.0 | Mar record high C = 20.0 | Apr record high C = 29.0 | May record high C = 33.0 | Jun record high C = 33.0 | Jul record high C = 36.1 | Aug record high C = 35.5 | Sep record high C = 35.0 | Oct record high C = 30.5 | Nov record high C = 22.8 | Dec record high C = 19.0 | year record high C = 36.1 | Jan record low C = -37.5 | Feb record low C = -37.0 | Mar record low C = -31.5 | Apr record low C = -20.6 | May record low C = -6.0 | Jun record low C = -1.5 | Jul record low C = 2.0 | Aug record low C = -2.0 | Sep record low C = -9.0 | Oct record low C = -26.0 | Nov record low C = -35.0 | Dec record low C = -38.3 | year record low C = -38.3

References

References

1. {{AMOS. mdy
2. (October 7, 2016). "Location and History Profile: Town of Vulcan". [[Alberta Municipal Affairs]].
3. (February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres". [[Statistics Canada]].
4. (January 2012). "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)". Safety Codes Council.
5. (May 5, 2015). "Location and History Profile: Town of Vulcan". [[Alberta Municipal Affairs]].
6. (1962). "Encyclopaedia Britannica: A New Survey of Universal Knowledge". Encyclopaedia Britannica.
7. (March 19, 1912). "Vulcan Review".
8. "The Vulcan Advocate".
9. "Vulcan Advocate".
10. {{CFS
11. (2015-04-24). "Preserving Vulcan's heritage". The Vulcan Advocate.
12. (February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities)". [[Statistics Canada]].
13. (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]].
14. "About Vulcan, Alberta's Star Ship FX6-1995-A - Vulcan Tourism".
15. The Vulcan Tinman Triathlon. "The Vulcan Tinman Triathlon: History".
16. "Health | Vulcan".
17. (September 25, 2013). "Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data". [[Environment and Climate Change Canada]].
18. Pawlowski, A.. (August 22, 2013). "Live long and prosper in Vulcan, the 'Star Trek Capital of Canada'". [[NBC News]].
19. Cernetig, Miro. (September 8, 1990). "Small Town Ties Spacey Idea: Vulcan turns to 'Star Trek' to boost image". [[The Globe and Mail]].