Strathmore is a town located along the Trans-Canada Highway in southern Alberta, Canada, 40 kilometres (25 mi) east of the city of Calgary, within the boundaries of Wheatland County.

History

The town began as a hamlet for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) lines that were built in the area in 1883. The CPR named the town after one of its benefactors - Claude Bowes-Lyon, the Earl of Strathmore. The Earl's granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth, as consort to King George VI, later visited the community in June, 1939.

In 1905 the CPR moved the hamlet of Strathmore four miles north to its current location. A track laying record was made between Strathmore and Cheadle when the railroad was built. In one hour one mile (1.6 km) of steel was laid and, at the end of the ten-hour working day, the rails were laid to Cheadle, 9 miles (15 km) for a record. Efforts by the Canadian government to develop western Canada led to increases in Strathmore's population and its importance as a rail supply stop.

The CPR railroad tracks are now gone, the land having been subdivided.

Demographics

The population of the Town of Strathmore according to its 2009 municipal census is 11,838.

In 2007, Strathmore had a population of 11,102 living in 4,431 dwellings, a 7.41% increase from 2006. The town has a land area of 15.59 km2 (6.0 sq mi) and a population density of 655.7 /km2 (1,698.3/sq mi).

Education

Strathmore is part of the Golden Hills School Division.

Golden Hills School Division

• Wheatland Elementary School
• Westmount Elementary School
• Brentwood Elementary School
• Crowther Memorial Junior High School
• Strathmore High School

Catholic School Division

• Sacred Heart Academy (K-6)
• Holy Cross Collegiate (7-12)

In September, 2008 Strathmore's newest school, Trinity Lutheran Christian Academy, opened at the former Covenant Bible College property. It is a Christian school with grades K through 9 and is publicly funded.
Town of Strathmore website: www.strathmore.ca