Innisfail History
Innisfail, Alta, was incorporated as a town in 1903. The town's name comes from an Irish-language epithet for Ireland, Inis Fáil, "Isle of Destiny" Before this name was adopted, the town was often referred to as "Poplar Grove". Sandy Fraser, Napoleon Remillard, Arthur Content and Bill Kemp settled in the area from 1884 to 1887. These were Innisfail's first settlers.
The Early Years: Henday Arrives
The story of Innisfail’s long and illustrious history dates back to the fall of 1754, when Hudson’s Bay Company explorer Anthony Henday embarked upon an expedition to the area. Although Henday’s bid to convince the Blackfoot tribe to trade at York Factory in Manitoba proved futile, the explorer’s name and image have long since continued to be associated with the town’s history, and can still be found in many places around town today.
The Evolution:
A Town is Born
The area later became known as Poplar Grove — a popular stopping point along the Calgary-Edmonton Trail for stagecoach travellers, settlers and hunters among others who used the route. What began as a collection of shacks where they could stop for an overnight rest eventually grew into a permanent settlement, and thus, a town was born. The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1891 was accompanied by a new name for the then village: Innisfail — a Celtic word, literally meaning ‘Isle of Destiny’. The Town of Innisfail was incorporated a short time later in 1903.
The Present:
Innisfail Thrives
Innisfail is home to almost 8,000 residents, and continues to benefit from its prime location on the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor. Businesses small and large contribute to healthy and vibrant retail, commercial and industrial sectors, while regional tourism brings hundreds of thousands of tourists to the area every single year.
In summary, the town is no longer simply a stopping point; it is a Destination!