Stirling Agricultural Village

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Stirling Agricultural Village
Entrance to Stirling, Alberta - Tourist info. Kiosk.JPG
Replica pioneer home and Bishop's Storehouse to the left
Stirling Agricultural Village
Type Settlement
Etymology John A. Stirling
Location Village of Stirling, Alberta, Canada
Area2.64 km2 (1.02 sq mi)
Elevation935 m (3,068 ft)
Established1899
Founder-Theodore Brandley
-LDS Church
Built1899
Architect Theodore Brandley
Architectural style(s)-Plat of Zion
-Victorian
Governing body Stirling - Village Council
Important eventsStirling Settler Days
Website Village of Stirling
Designated1997

Stirling Agricultural Village was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada on June 22, 1989. [1] The site was designated as a national historical site of Canada because it is the best surviving example of a Mormon agricultural village. [1] The Michelsen Farmstead was the focus of the community, and is now a totally restored museum, listed as a Provincial Historic Site in 2001. [2] The Galt Historic Railway Park is another popular museum located in this historic site.

Contents

History

1938 Parade float celebrating Stirling Settler Days, commemorating the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. The 2nd LDS chapel in the background. StirlingParade.png
1938 Parade float celebrating Stirling Settler Days, commemorating the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. The 2nd LDS chapel in the background.

Stirling was founded on May 5, 1899, by Theodore Brandley. The village was one of two communities that owed its existence to a partnership between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Charles A. Magrath of the North Western Coal and Navigation Company. [3] Stirling was named after John A. Stirling, managing director of The Trusts, Executors and Securities Corporation of London, which owned shares in the Alberta Coal and Railway Company.

After arriving at the Stirling siding, Theodore Brandley quickly started planning the lay-out of the village. The townsite was made up of one square mile (640 acres), then divided into lots of 10 acres (40,000 m2); each with a surveyed road around the entire area with a lane running north and south, dividing it into two parcels. The parcels were then again divided, east and west, making four lots, each 2.5 acres (10,000 m2), giving the residents room to build homes, barns and shelters for animals, with large gardens. Theodore planned the townsite after the Plat of Zion, [4] which Stirling still follows today, and is recognized as the most well-preserved, Canadian example of the Plat of Zion. For this reason, Stirling is known as Stirling Agricultural Village. [5]

Museums and attractions

Michelsen Farmstead a Provincial Historic Site of Alberta & museum, located in the village. Michelsen Farmstead.jpg
Michelsen Farmstead a Provincial Historic Site of Alberta & museum, located in the village.
William T. Ogden House William T. Ogden House.jpg
William T. Ogden House

On the east entrance of Main Street is a newly built Information Kiosk made to replicate that of an older Victorian style Pioneer home found throughout Stirling and area. In the kiosk are historical markers and a map that shows many sites of interest throughout the National Historic Site of Stirling. [6]

Museums

Local attractions

Events

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Stirling Agricultural Village National Historic Site of Canada". www.pc.gc.ca. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
  2. "Michelsen Farmstead". www.villageofstirling.com. Archived from the original on 2008-11-21.
  3. "North Western Coal and Navigation Company". [ dead link ]www.prairierails.net. Retrieved on 2007-08-02.
  4. Joseph Smith. "An Explanation of the Plat of the City of Zion, Sent to the Brethren in Zion". www.library.cornell.edu. Archived from the original on 2007-02-06.
  5. Parks Canada Village of Stirling National Historic Site of Canada Archived 2011-06-05 at the Wayback Machine , Parks Canada, accessed 2008-02-26.
  6. "Parks Canada-Village of Stirling". www.pc.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2007-11-13.
  7. Galt Historic Railway Park http://www.galtrailway.com/
  8. Mitch Rice. "The Michelsen Farm - A Historic Landmark". Waltonfeed.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-09.
  9. "Stirling's Haunted Mansion". Freewebs.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-26.
  10. "Lost Frontier Mini Railroad Amusement & Theme Park". Freewebs.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-23.