Stirling, Alberta founded as a Mormon colony (1899)

On May 5, 1899, a group of 30 Mormon settlers from Richfield, Utah, led by Theodore Brandley, arrived at Stirling station in southern Alberta, Canada. This event established Stirling as a Mormon colony, part of a broader agreement with the Alberta Railway & Irrigation Company to colonize the area. The settlement was designed according to Joseph Smith's "Plat of Zion" and later recognized as a National Historic Site.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. In 1899, the Alberta Railway & Irrigation Company decided to call upon the LDS Church to help colonize the area. As part of an agreement, the church and the company were to build an irrigation canal and establish two communities by the end of 1899. Stirling, located in southern Alberta, was one of these planned settlements.

Settlement Design. Stirling was designed following Joseph Smith's "Plat of Zion," a layout featuring 47 blocks within one square mile. The village included 32 residential blocks and 13 agricultural blocks. The town square was located in the corner of the village, nearest to the original Alberta Railway & Coal Co. station, facilitating access for early settlers.

Historical Recognition. Stirling is recognized as the best-preserved example of the Plat of Zion layout in Canada. It was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada on June 22, 1989, for its historical significance as an original Latter-day Saint settlement. The village is also part of the historic Red Coat Trail and Canada's Mormon Trail.

People involved

Sources

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