Edson

Edson was one of the true Alberta boom towns. Plans were in place for Edson to serve as the divisional point on the proposed Grand Trunk Pacific Railway before the town ever existed. In early summer 1910, surveyors laid out the town just ahead of the railway construction. Steel arrived at Edson in August 1910 and the town had a settled population of fifteen. Active promotion of the town as the next great city of the west led to real estate speculation and a boom in population. Lots sold for $200 in 1910, but were quickly worth over $1000. By January 1911 there were 490 residents and by summer the town had a population of 1200. On September 7, 1911 the town was formally incorporated. The town was the center of trade and commerce for the Yellowhead region, supporting the railways, mining and agricultural communities of the area. Between 1911 and 1915, Edson also served as the starting point for the laborious (400km) overland trek to Grande Prairie. The Edson Trail, as it was known, included four major river crossings and endless miles of muskeg.

Mining near Edson was dominated not by coal but by clay products. In May 1911, clay marl was discovered west of Edson. The clay was found to be highly suited to cement manufacturing. By 1913, the Edmonton Portland Cement Plant was open in Marlboro, shipping cement to Edmonton and centers beyond. In 1934, Claynett Ltd. Commercial Clay Products and Toiletries opened in Edson to mine clay for cosmetic use from McLeod River deposits west of town.