115 years of local government
As of April 14 it has been 115 years since the North-West Territories government, the government of the day, declared an area in Strathcona County -- Township 53, Range 22, West 4th Meridian -- as Fire and Labor District Number Two.
It was in April 14, 1893, in the 56th year of Her Majesty Queen Victoria's reign, that this measure was taken to address problems that settlers were having with fires and wandering livestock, and their need for trails.
The ordinance required that there be at least 50 resident males between 18 and 60 years of age living within the boundaries. Besides paying an average 5 cents per acre property tax, residents of the local self-government were required to work?building and maintaining trails and roads, and fighting fires.
With a tax rate of $8 per quarter section, property owners could see a 10 per cent discount if they paid before the July 1 deadline. In 1913 wages for all work in the local improvement district were paid at 25 cents per hour to a man doing manual labor, 30 cents per hour to a man working as foreman and 50 cents per hour for men with a team of horses.
This district, which became known as Clover Bar, was enlarged from 108 square miles in 1893 to 216 square miles in 1903. In 1913 it became known as Local Improvement District 517. In 1943 the Municipal District of Clover Bar #517 merged with the Municipal District of Strathcona #518 and became known as the Municipal District of Strathcona #83.
Strathcona County's history can be traced through stories, recollections and photos of the past. To share their knowledge or stories from Strathcona's past, residents can contact the Community Heritage Legacy office at 780-416-6762. Residents can learn more about the County's past at www.strathcona.ca/history.
Source: Story of Rural Municipal Government in Alberta 1909 to 1983, published by the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties
Last updated: Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Page ID: 2106