16-016: The Town of Fairview

The first settlers north of the Peace River arrived in the last few years before the First World War. The trail to Dunvegan brought the settlers past a watering hole 4 miles south of the present site of Fairview. There a hamlet appropriately named “Waterhole” sprang into existence and served as a centre for the area until the railway was built in 1928, bypassing Waterhole to the north. The inhabitants of the hamlet moved to a new site by the railway which was called Fairview after one of the homesteads. By the end of the summer of 1928, Fairview already had six grain elevators, three hotels and a variety of businesses, serving a population of 400 to 500 persons. On the 28th of March 1929 Fairview achieved the status of a village and 20 years later (April 25, 1948) it was incorporated as a town.

The first church to be built in the community was the United Church and a schoolhouse was constructed in 1929. A small hospital first located at Waterhole was moved to Fairview in 1928 and since then has had two new sections added to the original six-bed building.

The town of Fairview is located north of the Peace River along Highway No. 2 in Sections 33 & 34 – 81 – 3 – W6, and Section 3 – 82 – 3 – W6, in Census Division No. 15. This location is at Mile 365.8 on the Northern Alberta Railway between Peace River and Hines Creek. The altitude of the town is 2,135.3 feet, Latitude 56’ 04″ N, Longitude 118’ 22″ W.

Climatic data from the local weather station cover a period of 27 years. The mean summer temperature is 59 degrees F, mean winter temperature 17 degrees F, with the average annual temperature 34 degrees F. The average annual rainfall is 14.8 inches, average annual snowfall 48.5 inches and the average annual precipitation 19.7 inches. The average number of frost-free days is 105 days per year (Edmonton 100 days per year). The average date of last frost in the spring occurs on May 25th and the average date of first frost in the fall is September 7th.

The bedrock is comprised of black shale and thin sandstone belonging to the Lower Smoky River formation. The regolith consists of glacial drift with several gravel deposits along the Grimshaw-Fairview highway. Fairview is in a transition soil zone ranging from nearly black to grey soils. The natural vegetation is woodland but most of the tree cover has been wiped out by numerous forest fires. The total soil profile averages 10 to 12 inches with surface horizon consisting of semi-decomposed litter and a leached grey stratum. The subsoils are generally dark brown and fine textured. The depth to the lime layer is about 30 to 40 inches, which is usually considered as indicative of the depth of efficient rain penetration. This soil type is less fertile than the black soils, but with proper soil management, applying fertilizers to replace depleted plant nutrients, and using crop rotation methods, good crops can usually be achieved. The soils are most suitable for mixed farming, including legumes in crop rotation. The topography is characterized by a gently rolling landscape suitable for farming.

Fairview is governed by a Mayor, elected for a two-year term, and six councilors. Each year two councilors are elected for a three-year term. The Secretary-Treasurer handles the administration of the town according to the policies set by the Council.

Law enforcement is carried out by an R.C.M.P detachment with one Corporal and two Constables. The Fire Department comprises a Fire Chief and 29 volunteer firemen, and has the following equipment: Bickle-Seagrave pumper with a 500 gallon water tank, a 500 gallon per minute booster pump, 1000 feet of 2½ inch hose, 1000 feet of 1½ inch hose, extension and roof ladders, 31 fire hydrants throughout the town, and an electric siren.

Medical services are provided by the Fairview Municipal Hospital with 50 beds and 10 bassinets. It is staffed by three doctors, a matron and 14 nurses. Recently a new nursing home has been completed adjacent to the hospital. A public health nurse at the Health Unit provides additional services for the community. In addition there are two dentists, a veterinarian, one chiropractor (calling), two optometrists (calling), a funeral director and a pharmacist.

Since 1940, local news has been provided by the weekly paper, the “Post”. Governmental and other provincial offices and services are well represented in Fairview. Financially, the townspeople are served by three banks and a credit union.

The following religious denominations have churches in the town: Anglican, Gospel Brethren Mission, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist and United. Several lodges and service clubs are active in Fairview, such as the Masons, the Knights of Columbus, IODE, BPOE, Rotary and Kinsmen Clubs, Canadian Legion and the Order of the Royal Purple. There is an active Chamber of Commerce, and many societies and associations for adults and youths cater to the cultural artistic, social and recreational needs of the inhabitants.

A recreation board with a part-time Recreation Organizer coordinates the recreational facilities and activities in the town. There is a covered skating arena, curling rink, swimming pool, three gymnasiums, bowling alley, golf course, two pool rooms, a crafts centre, playgrounds offering opportunities for activities such as hockey, figure skating, curling, swimming, baseball, football, golfing, bowling, and several arts and crafts courses. In addition there are such annual events as Annual Sports Day, Old-timers’ Picnic, Co-op Picnic, Agricultural Seed Fair and a Horticultural Show.