Hinton, Alberta

File:Hinton Alberta looking west Trans-Canada highway.jpg]]

Settlement in the area was scattered along a line some {{cvt|12|km}} in length. A site along Hardisty Creek is where a First Nations group from the Jasper area had left members stricken with smallpox while the rest of the group travelled to Lac Ste. Anne to find medical aid for the smallpox epidemic which was ravaging the indigenous population. The area was thus dubbed Cache Picote (Smallpox Camp) in 1870.

In 1888, Jack Gregg established a trading post at Prairie Creek to serve travellers along the Jasper trail. The creek is now known as Maskuta Creek after an incorrect interpretation of the Cree name by white settlers. The construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway saw the establishment of a construction camp at the mouth of Prairie Creek (at the Athabasca River) in 1908. A trestle was built over the creek and is still in use by the Canadian National Railway today.

In 1911 the Grand Trunk Pacific built a station house at mile 978 west of Winnipeg. The station was named Hinton, and the community was born.

The Canadian Northern Railway also established a station called Bliss in 1914. The Canadian Northern Railway ran north of the Grand Trunk Pacific line and the Bliss station was about {{cvt|4|mi|order=flip}} east of Hinton in the Athabasca River valley. In 1916 when the Grand Trunk Pacific rail line was temporarily closed, Dalehurst became the postal station for Hinton. Entrance (formerly Dyke), another important centre to Hinton, served as its communications centre. The original community known as Entrance was so named due to its location at the entrance to Jasper Forest Park and was on the Canadian Northern line north of the Athabasca River. The original site of Entrance is now known as Old Entrance.

The Canadian National Railway became the owner of both the Canadian Northern and the Grand Trunk Pacific, and various portions of both lines were used by the new railway. The company, however, abandoned the use of the rail line through Bliss in 1926 and once again the rail line through Hinton was opened.

The population of Hinton experienced a boom during the 1930s when American entrepreneur Frank Seabolt and two partners opened the Hinton coal mine in 1931.{{Cite web |url=http://www.hintonhistory.com/StoryofHinton/storyhinton.html |title=A History of Hinton |access-date=2004-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040211193144/http://www.hintonhistory.com/StoryofHinton/storyhinton.html |archive-date=2004-02-11 }} Shortly thereafter, a recession caused the population to dwindle to fewer than 100 people.

File:Hinton downtown.JPG

On September 1, 1954, North Western Pulp and Power entered into an agreement with the province to construct a pulp mill on the Athabasca River, near the hamlet of Hinton. The province leased {{convert|3,000|sqmi}} of pulpwood on condition that the company invest at least $28.5 million in the mill.{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Ron |date=1956-06-27 |title=Hinton: What Is Happening? |url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=IjBkAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA25&dq=%22Hinton,+Alberta%22&article_id=7171,5513672&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiitdqZxc6MAxVjAjQIHeIsJs0Q6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=%22Hinton%2C%20Alberta%22&f=false |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=The Calgary Herald |pages=25, 36}}

The Calgary-based Athabasca Valley Development Corporation, began plans to provide town services and a shopping centre, prompting the Minister of Municipal Affairs Ted Hinman to clarify that the province was in charge of planning and Hinton would not be a company town.{{Cite news |date=1955-05-03 |title=Province Will Supervise Building of Pulp Mill Town |url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=eyBlAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA21&dq=%22town+of+hinton%22+pulp+mill+-regis&article_id=1109,286201&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwilyvuhmdCMAxVgFjQIHSS_HgcQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=%22town%20of%20hinton%22%20pulp%20mill%20-regis&f=false |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=The Edmonton Journal |pages=21}} In December 1955, Frank. E. Ruben, the vice president and general manager of Athabasca Valley Development Corporation announced plans to build 500 houses in the new town.{{Cite news |date=1955-12-14 |title=Plan 500 Homes, Pulp Mill Town |url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=CmxjAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=%22town+of+hinton%22+pulp+mill+-regis&article_id=7269,1885542&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwilyvuhmdCMAxVgFjQIHSS_HgcQ6AF6BAgFEAM#v=onepage&q=%22town%20of%20hinton%22%20pulp%20mill%20-regis&f=false |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix |pages=6}} Ruben, who was also the Chairman of the Board of North Western Pulp and Power, followed that up with an announcement that the pulp mill would be expanded within 18 months to a total cost of $100 million and that the town would be named New Hinton. This was swiftly denied by Minister of Lands and Forests Norman Willmore. Ruben responded that, "the matter is entirely out of Mr. Willmore's department," but clarified that he was only expressing his personal opinion that they would, "expand the mill at the earliest possible date." The Financial Post ultimately listed its value at $42 million.{{Cite news |date=1959-09-19 |title=Alberta's 'New Industry' |url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=jmo_AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA60&dq=%22town+of+hinton%22+pulp+mill+-regis&article_id=5906,4822528&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjy1a_Pyc6MAxUzFjQIHcoeCvwQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=%22town%20of%20hinton%22%20pulp%20mill%20-regis&f=false |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=The Financial Post |pages=60}}

Hinton grew rapidly, as did a new village to the east called Drinnan. On March 27, 1957, the two communities amalgamated into the present Town of Hinton,{{cite web |author=Province of Alberta |date=1957-03-27 |title=Order in Council (O.C.) 494-57, New Town Established (Amalgamation of Hinton and Drinnan) |url=http://www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/cfml/pdf_search/pdf/TOWN/0151/Hinton_Gaz_OC_494_57_1957_No13.pdf |access-date=April 23, 2010}} with a population of about 3,500.{{Cite news |date=1958-07-24 |title=Hinton Serves as Subject of Industrial Development Survey |url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=u-xkAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=%22town+of+hinton%22+pulp+mill+-regis&article_id=3879,4445865&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjy1a_Pyc6MAxUzFjQIHcoeCvwQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=%22town%20of%20hinton%22%20pulp%20mill%20-regis&f=false |work=The Edmonton Journal |pages=3}} The mill was completed in April 1957, with the first pulp produced on May 29.{{Cite news |date=1957-06-05 |title=New Pulp Mill Now Near Output Peak |url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=oYBlAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA55&dq=%22Hinton,+Alberta%22+pulp+mill&article_id=5931,724833&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjU2IeHq9CMAxUqIzQIHb8dIPsQ6AF6BAgFEAM#v=onepage&q=%22Hinton%2C%20Alberta%22%20pulp%20mill&f=false |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=The Vancouver Sun |pages=15}}{{Cite news |last=French |first=Janet |date=2024-03-20 |title=New owners will use Hinton pulp mill to make sustainable packaging |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/new-owners-will-use-hinton-pulp-mill-to-make-sustainable-packaging-1.7150238 |work=CBC News}} It became Alberta's first pulp mill.{{Cite web |title=Alberta’s First Pulp Mill Opens New Forestry Markets |url=https://discoverapega.ca/stories/albertas-first-pulp-mill-opens-new-forestry-markets/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=discoverAPEGA |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Hinton |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/hinton |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca |language=en}}

William A. Switzer was elected as Hinton’s first mayor in 1958.{{Cite book |title=The Canadian parliamentary guide |date=2005 |publisher=Gale |isbn=978-1-4144-0141-6 |editor-last=Batten |editor-first=Donna |edition=2005 |series=Gale eBooks |location=Detroit, Mich |editor-last2=Gale (Firm)}}

{{main|Hinton train collision}}

On February 8, 1986, a Canadian National Railway freight train collided with a Via Rail passenger train called the Super Continental, killing twenty-three people. The Hinton train collision was the deadliest rail disaster in Canada since the Dugald rail accident of 1947, which had thirty-one fatalities, and was not surpassed until the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster in 2013, which resulted in forty-seven fatalities. It was surmised that the accident was a result of the crew of the freight train becoming incapacitated, and the resulting investigations revealed serious flaws in Canadian National Railway's employee practises.{{cite web |url=http://www.hinton.ca/index.aspx?NID=148 |publisher=Town of Hinton |title=Hinton Train Collision |access-date=2011-01-29 |archive-date=2012-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416133416/http://www.hinton.ca/index.aspx?NID=148 }}

Hinton lies in the Alberta Plateau Benchlands physiographic subdivision of the Interior Plains. Soils around town are influenced by deposits of carbonate-rich, wind-blown sand and silt which usually have surface textures of loam, sandy loam or silt loam. They are moderately alkaline, in contrast to the varying, mostly moderate acidity which prevails beyond the zone of calcareous aeolian material.{{cite web |title=Dumanski, Macyk, Veauvy and Lindsay, 1972. Soil Survey and Land Evaluation of the Hinton-Edson Area, Alberta |url=http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/soil/survey-reports/ab31/ab31_report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330175940/http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/soil/survey-reports/ab31/ab31_report.pdf |archive-date=2015-03-30}}

The closest weather station is located at Entrance, about {{cvt|10|km}} southwest of Hinton

In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Hinton had a population of 9,817 living in 4,006 of its 4,405 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:9817-9882}}|9882|1}} from its 2016 population of 9,882. With a land area of {{cvt|33.32|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|9817|33.32|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000248 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=February 9, 2022}}

In the Canada 2016 Census conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Hinton recorded a population of 9,882 living in 3,930 of its 4,343 total private dwellings, a {{percentage|{{#expr:9882-9640}}|9640|1}} increase from its 2011 population of 9,640. With a land area of {{cvt|33.52|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|9882|33.52|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2016.{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 8, 2017 | access-date=February 8, 2017}}

The population of the Town of Hinton according to its 2009 municipal census is 9,825.{{cite web |url=http://municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/documents/LGS/2009pop.pdf |author=Alberta Municipal Affairs |title=Alberta 2009 Official Population List |date=2009-09-15 |access-date=2010-09-14}} The census originally counted 9,812 people within the town limits{{cite web|url=http://www.town.hinton.ab.ca/files/%7B2BE8B17D-FB27-4A96-BEA4-384D5BA14D8C%7D2009%2007%2015%20Census%20News%20Release.pdf|title=Hinton's Population is Up!|publisher=Town of Hinton|date=2009-07-25|access-date=2009-08-26}} but an additional 13 were added when a long-standing annexation application was approved shortly after the census was conducted.

Hinton was first included in the 1961 Canadian census and had a recorded population of 3,529.{{Cite report |url=https://archive.org/details/1961925391963engfra |title=1961 Census of Canada Recensement du Canada |date=1963 |publisher=Dominion Beureau of Statistics |issue=1.1 |volume=10 |at=6-83 |language=English, French |access-date=April 21, 2025}} By the 1971 census, it had grown to 4,911{{Cite report |url=https://archive.org/details/1971987011973engfra |title=1971 Census of Canada |date=June 1973 |publisher=Statistics Canada |at=2-43 |language=English, French}} By 1967 Hinton's recorded population was 6,731, and by 1981 it had reached 8,342.{{Cite report |url=https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.837028/publication.html |title=1981 Census of Canada, census divisions and subdivisions, Alberta |date=1983 |publisher=Statistics Canada |location=Ottawa |at=1-274 |access-date=April 21, 2025}}

It is the site of the Foothills Ojibway Society (non-status First Nation).

File:Hinton, Alberta, Canada (21603867630).jpg

Hinton is one of two staging areas for expeditions in the Willmore Wilderness Park, the other being Grande Cache.

Nature lovers are drawn to Hinton to visit the Beaver Boardwalk, a {{cvt|3|km}} walk where they can see beavers and other wildlife.{{cite web | url=http://www.hinton.ca/index.aspx?NID=428 | title=Beaver Boardwalk | Hinton, AB - Official Website | access-date=2014-10-11 | archive-date=2014-10-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016200508/http://www.hinton.ca/index.aspx?NID=428 }}

File:Hinton Via 10.jpg

{{unreferenced section|date=July 2012}}

Hinton Transit is the municipal public transportation service, operated under contract by First Student Canada, which is responsible for providing the vehicles, drivers and maintenance. The bus service operates on Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 8:00pm and on Saturday from 8:00am to 6:00pm. No service is provided on Sunday or statutory holidays.{{Cite web |title=Hinton Transit {{!}} Hinton, AB - Official Website |url=https://www.hinton.ca/259/Transportation-Transit |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.hinton.ca}} There is also an accessible transit service available for residents with physical and cognitive disabilities called The Freedom Express Service. {{Cite web |title=Hinton Transit {{!}} Hinton, AB - Official Website |url=https://www.hinton.ca/259/Transportation-Transit |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=www.hinton.ca}}

As a flag stop, Via Rail's The Canadian calls at the Hinton station two times per week, in each direction.

File:Hinton, Alberta, Canada (21791960225).jpg

Emergency and other medical care is provided at the Hinton Healthcare Centre.

Education in Hinton includes:{{cite web|url=https://www.hinton.ca/1208/Education |title=Education |access-date=August 20, 2023}}

• Grande Yellowhead Public School Division No. 77
• Crescent Valley Elementary School (K-7)
• Mountain View Elementary School (K-7 English, French)
• Harry Collinge High School (8-12 English, French)

• Evergreen Catholic Separate School Division
• St. Gregory Catholic Elementary School (K-4)
• Father Gerard Redmond Community Catholic School (5-12)

• Post secondary
• Northwestern Polytechnic
• Hinton Employment and Learning Place
• Hinton Training Centre
• Northern Lakes College

One weekly newspaper is produced in Hinton; the Hinton Voice, a weekly independent newspaper that started up in June 2009.

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• CBXI-FM 88.1 CBC Radio One
• CFXH-FM 97.5 Newcap Broadcasting (Stingray Radio)
• CFHI-FM 104.9 Newcap Broadcasting

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• CHFA-FM-4 100.7 Ici Radio-Canada Première
• CKUA-FM-7 102.5 CKUA Radio Network

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File:Bob Nystrom 1973.jpg, Swedish-Canadian professional ice hockey player, moved to Hinton as a 4-year old]]

• Bob Nystrom (born 1952), Swedish-Canadian professional ice hockey player
• Dave Scatchard (born 1976), professional National Hockey League ice hockey player
• Glenn Taylor (born 1961/62), former leader of the Alberta Party, former mayor

• List of communities in Alberta
• List of francophone communities in Alberta
• List of towns in Alberta

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• {{Commons category-inline|Hinton, Alberta}}
• {{Wikivoyage-inline|Hinton}}
• {{official website|https://www.hinton.ca/}}

{{Subdivisions of Alberta|towns=yes}}

{{Alberta Regions Upper Athabasca}}

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Category:1956 establishments in Alberta

Category:Towns in Alberta

Category:Former new towns in Alberta