Original: Fort McMurray and Waterways amalgamated as the village of McMurray (the "Fort" was dropped until 1962, when it was restored to reflect its heritage) by 1947, and became a town a year later. Fort McMurray was granted the status of new town so it could get more provincial funding.
Simplified: Fort McMurray has been popular because of the oil sands production which attracts thousands of people to move to Fort McMurray and work.