# Spirit River, Alberta

Spirit River is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is approximately 78 km (48 mi) north of Grande Prairie at the junction of Highway 49 and Highway 731.

## Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Spirit River had a population of 992 living in 445 of its 510 total private dwellings, a change of -0.3% from its 2016 population of 995. With a land area of 3.11 km$^2$ (1.20 sq mi), it had a population density of 319.0/km$^2$ (826.1/sq mi) in 2021.
In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Spirit River recorded a population of 995 living in 442 of its 487 total private dwellings, a -2.9% change from its 2011 population of 1,025. With a land area of 3.14 km$^2$ (1.21 sq mi), it had a population density of 316.9/km$^2$ (820.7/sq mi) in 2016.

## Economy

The community is largely agricultural, being located in the fertile Peace Country. It also features an active oil and gas industry.

## History

The name Spirit River comes from the Cree Chepe Sepe, or Ghost River.
In 1891, a trading post became the original settlement along the banks of the Spirit River. Ranching in the area started as early as the 1840s and farming in the 1880s. The first school opened in 1910. In 1915, to the northwest, on Section 22, the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway subdivided a townsite called Spirit River Station. The residents and storekeepers at the old settlement then moved, creating a village in 1916. On February 16 of that year, the Herald Tribune reported that McRae & Co. opened a general store. Spirit River was incorporated as a town in 1951.
In 1923, the wheat pool was established.
In October 2013, a pipeline inspection crew working in the Saddle Hills area southwest of Spirit River unearthed a 10-metre long dinosaur fossil. It was later confirmed to be that of the duck-billed hadrosaur.
The Town of Spirit River, along with the Municipal District of Spirit River celebrated its 100th anniversary in August 2016.

## Government

The Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133's municipal office is located in Spirit River. It is also home to the Peace-Wapiti School Board and provincial offices for Alberta Agriculture and Fish and Wildlife.

## Infrastructure
### Transportation

A paved airport accommodates medical emergency flights and private aircraft.

### Recreation

The town features a curling rink, arena, outdoor pool, library, museum and community hall.

### Health care

Spirit River is home to a hospital and the Central Peace Health Centre, a newly constructed clinic that has physician, dentist, physiotherapist and massage therapist offices. A new 92-bed seniors care home is set to open in 2024.

## Education

The town is home to two schools – Ste. Marie Catholic School (elementary) and Spirit River Regional Academy (K-12).

## Sports

The Spirit River Rangers of the North Peace Hockey League play out of the Maclean Rec Centre.

## Notable people

* Hilarion Kapral, a bishop and First Hierarch of ROCOR
* Patricia Joudry, screenwriter.
* Tim Howar, singer and dancer, known as a London-based rock vocalist with Mike + the Mechanics
* Aaron Goodvin, country singer
* Frank Grigware, who escaped from Leavenworth Prison while serving a life sentence for train robbery, and was elected mayor in 1916 using the name James Fahey