Vilna, Alberta

Vilna is a historic village in central Alberta, Canada.

Vilna
Village
Village of Vilna
Pool Hall and Barbershop
Vilna
Location of Vilna
Coordinates: 54°06′56″N 111°55′16″W
Country Canada
Province Alberta
RegionCentral Alberta
Census DivisionNo. 12
Municipal districtSmoky Lake County
Founded1907
Incorporated[1] 
 • VillageJune 23, 1923
Government
 • MayorLeo Chapdelaine
 • Governing bodyVilna Village Council
 • Village Council MembersDonald Romanko, Roy Dyck and Leo Chapdelaine
Area
 (2016)[2]
 • Land0.96 km2 (0.37 sq mi)
Elevation
640 m (2,100 ft)
Population
 (2016)[2]
 • Total290
 • Density300.8/km2 (779/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST)
Highways28
859
WaterwaysBonnie Lake, Stony Creek
WebsiteOfficial website

Vilna is located in Smoky Lake County, on Highway 28, 150 km (93.2 mi) northeast of the city of Edmonton. Bonnie Lake Provincial Recreation Area is located 6 km (3.7 mi) north of the community, on the shores of Bonnie Lake.

History

Vilna was founded in 1907, mostly by central European settlers, and started to develop in 1919, when the railroad reached this area. It was named in 1920 after the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius, similarly to the community of Wilno in Ontario, Canada. Before 1920, the local post office was named "Villette".[3] Vilna was incorporated as a village on June 13, 1923.

On February 5, 1967, Vilna experienced a meteor air burst with a yield estimated at about 600 tonnes of TNT (2.5 TJ). Subsequently, two very small meteorite fragments were found – 48 milligrams (0.74 grains) and 94 milligrams (1.45 gr) which are now stored at University of Alberta, in Edmonton.[4]

Demographics

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Village of Vilna recorded a population of 290 living in 114 of its 143 total private dwellings, a 16.5% change from its 2011 population of 249. With a land area of 0.96 km2 (0.37 sq mi), it had a population density of 302.1/km2 (782.4/sq mi) in 2016.[2]

The Village of Vilna's 2012 municipal census counted a population of 290.[5]

In the 2011 Census, the Village of Vilna had a population of 249 living in 111 of its 135 total dwellings, a -9.1% change from its 2006 population of 274. With a land area of 0.9 km2 (0.35 sq mi), it had a population density of 276.7/km2 (716.6/sq mi) in 2011.[6]

Attractions

The town claims to be home to the world's largest metal sculpture mushroom.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Location and History Profile: Village of Vilna" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. October 21, 2016. p. 583. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  2. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  3. A century of progress : an historical study of the Waskatenau, Smoky Lake, Warspite, Bellis, Vilna and Spedden school communities. The County of Smoky Lake No. 13. 1967. p. 39.
  4. University of Calgary, Canadian Meteorite Catalogue
  5. "2012 Municipal Affairs Population List" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  6. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  7. Roadside attractions - Vilna mushrooms
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