Red Deer - Community Overview

The Scottish settlers arrived here in 1882 and settled where the Calgary-Edmonton Trail crossed the Red Deer River. The Cree had originally named the river “Elk” but the settlers confused the elk with the red deer of their homeland.

During the Riel Rebellion in 1885, Fort Normandeau was constructed at this site by the Canadian militia. The Fort was also used by the NorthWest Mounted Police until 1893. In 1891 the settlement moved downstream approximately 7 km to be closer to the Calgary-Edmonton Railway line.

With the discovery of oil and natural gas fields shortly after World War II, Red Deer entered a prolonged boom. In the 1950’s it was the fastest growing city in Canada. Red Deer was incorporated into a town in 1905 and achieved city status in 1913.

Red Deer is the trading and distribution centre of Central Alberta. The community is supported by a prosperous mixed farming industry on Alberta's richest soils. A growing manufacturing industry, tourism, oil and petrochemical industries all contribute to the diversified economy.

The City of Red Deer is located on Highway #2, approximately 150 km north of Calgary and 150 km south of Edmonton. Red Deer lies in the Red Deer Valley, a wooded area with spruce, birch, poplar and balm trees.

The population of Red Deer numbers approximately 90,564.

For more information about Red Deer:

City of Red Deer

4914 - 48th Ave. 

PO Box 5008

Red Deer, AB

T4N 3T4

403-342-8111

https://www.reddeer.ca/