The Discovery that changed Canada
February 13, 1947
Leduc Number 1 Discovery Well
Located South of present day Devon on the former Mike Turta Farm.
Needing to find living quarters for workers who were employed in the oil fields. Imperial Oil chose a picturesque spot 25 miles southwest of Edmonton and bounded on 2 sides by the North Saskatchewan River to build a new and well-planned town. Devon was created. The name was chosen for the Devonian Reef formation in which the oil at Leduc #1 was discovered. |
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Drilling Success
February 13, 1947
After drilling 133 dry holes, Imperial Oil Resources Ltd. makes one of the biggest oil discoveries in the world. |
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Building a Town
"Starting from nothing and with nothing, they built up not the body, but the soul of the town, making it a model town not only in its physical aspects, but even more so in its spirit" - Mrs. V. Hunter |
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Theatre and Drugstore
Athabasca Avenue - Devonian Theatre and Rexall Drugs
By January of 1948 houses were being built. The first residents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Dingman, moved into town in May of 1948. By July 25 houses were occupied and by the end of January 1949 there were one hundred and twenty three homes finished and occupied. |
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Disaster
Atlantic #3 blew wild from March 8 - September 9, 1948
"Devon was a town gone mad. The fire (burnt for three days) was clearly visible from Edmonton twenty miles away. 'The women folk fearfully asked themselves if they should make ready to leave...there was also the threat of an explosion which would rival the power of an atomic bomb." - Mrs. V. Hunter |
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Incorporation
Athabasca Avenue - Pagoda Dine and Dance, opened July 5, 1949.
In January of 1950, Devon was incorporated as a Village and in March of the same year it became a Town. Devon was labeled as Canada's Model Town, since it was the first community in all of Canada to be approved by a Regional Planning Commission. |
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Old Bridge
Old Bridge (built in 1951) and the location of present day Voyageur Park
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An Urban County
Athabasca Ave.
Devon quickly grew over the years and in the early 1960's became the only Urban County in the Province of Alberta. This is a system of government that administers both the municipal and school operations. This system operated until the mid 1990's when the school division was separated from the Town and consolidated with the Black Gold Regional School District. |
+ click to enlarge |
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February 13, 1947
Leduc Number 1 Discovery Well
Located South of present day Devon on the former Mike Turta Farm.
Needing to find living quarters for workers who were employed in the oil fields. Imperial Oil chose a picturesque spot 25 miles southwest of Edmonton and bounded on 2 sides by the North Saskatchewan River to build a new and well-planned town. Devon was created. The name was chosen for the Devonian Reef formation in which the oil at Leduc #1 was discovered.
February 13, 1947
After drilling 133 dry holes, Imperial Oil Resources Ltd. makes one of the biggest oil discoveries in the world.
"Starting from nothing and with nothing, they built up not the body, but the soul of the town, making it a model town not only in its physical aspects, but even more so in its spirit" - Mrs. V. Hunter
Athabasca Avenue - Devonian Theatre and Rexall Drugs
By January of 1948 houses were being built. The first residents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Dingman, moved into town in May of 1948. By July 25 houses were occupied and by the end of January 1949 there were one hundred and twenty three homes finished and occupied.
Atlantic #3 blew wild from March 8 - September 9, 1948
"Devon was a town gone mad. The fire (burnt for three days) was clearly visible from Edmonton twenty miles away. 'The women folk fearfully asked themselves if they should make ready to leave...there was also the threat of an explosion which would rival the power of an atomic bomb." - Mrs. V. Hunter
Athabasca Avenue - Pagoda Dine and Dance, opened July 5, 1949.
In January of 1950, Devon was incorporated as a Village and in March of the same year it became a Town. Devon was labeled as Canada's Model Town, since it was the first community in all of Canada to be approved by a Regional Planning Commission.
Old Bridge (built in 1951) and the location of present day Voyageur Park
Athabasca Ave.
Devon quickly grew over the years and in the early 1960's became the only Urban County in the Province of Alberta. This is a system of government that administers both the municipal and school operations. This system operated until the mid 1990's when the school division was separated from the Town and consolidated with the Black Gold Regional School District.