Walterdale, Edmonton

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Walterdale is a former industrial and residential neighbourhood in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada within the North Saskatchewan River valley.{{cite web | url=http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=9187 | title=John Walter Historic Area | publisher=Parks Canada | access-date=August 22, 2012}} It is located on the south shore of the river in an area now occupied by Kinsmen Park{{cite web | url=http://janeswalk.net/walks/view/walterdale_-_industrial_heart_to_urban_park/ | title=Edmonton Walks: Walterdale – Industrial Heart to Urban Park | publisher=Jane's Walks | access-date=August 22, 2012}} within a river valley neighbourhood named River Valley Walterdale.{{cite web | url=http://maps.edmonton.ca | title=Welcome to Edmonton Maps | publisher=City of Edmonton | access-date=August 22, 2012}}

Archaeology

The preparation work for a reconstruction of the Walterdale Bridge in 2012 revealed evidence of human habitation in the area going back 1,000 years including stone artifacts, butchered animal bones, and evidence of plant use in association with a defined hearth feature.Spicer, G. and R. Eldridge and J. Miller - Final Report - Historical Resources Impact Assessment (HRIA) and Historical Resources Impact Mitigation (HRIM) at FjPj-108 - Walterdale Bridge Replacement Edmonton, Alberta, Canada AC Project File #4715-10-0045 and #4725-12-0007 - ASA Permit #2012-135Identification of macroremains from hearth fill recovered at site FjPj-108 in Edmonton Report prepared by Alwynne B. Beaudoin Quaternary Environments Royal Alberta Museum Edmonton, AlbertaMiller, J.M. - Analysis of the Faunal Assemblage from FjPj-108 - Anth. 580 (December 17, 2012)Beta Analytic - Report on Radiocarbon Analyses (October 1, 2012){{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/archaeologists-dig-for-answers-at-new-walterdale-site-1.1163310| title = Archaeologists dig for answers at new Walterdale site {{!}} CBC News}}

History

The neighbourhood was named for John Walter who, in 1875, was the first person to construct a house on the south side of the river opposite of Fort Edmonton, and later became a prominent businessman and local politician. With the numerous businesses he established in the area,{{cite web | url=http://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/attractions/john_walter_museum/who-is-john-walter.aspx | title=Who is John Walter? | publisher=City of Edmonton | access-date=August 22, 2012}} the Walterdale neighbourhood eventually built up around his original residence in part of what eventually became Strathcona. Originally known as South Edmonton, Strathcona incorporated as a town in 1899,{{cite web | url=http://oldstrathcona.ca/the-builders | title=Celebrate Old Strathcona: The Builders | publisher=Old Strathcona Business Association | access-date=August 22, 2012}} later incorporating as a city in 1907 and subsequently amalgamating with the City of Edmonton in 1912.{{cite web | url=http://oldstrathcona.ca/revitalization | title=Celebrate Old Strathcona: Revitalization | publisher=Old Strathcona Business Association | access-date=August 22, 2012}} The North Saskatchewan River flooded in 1915 destroying much of John Walter's assets.