Wainwright is a vibrant and community-based town in Alberta that is full of history and life. The population is over 6,000 people, and the town is continually growing. Residents have access to a wide range of services, and the town is full of business opportunities and economic growth.
The area around Wainwright was homesteaded in 1905-1906. James Dawson established the original townsite in 1907 and named it Denwood. In 1908, a new townsite was established beside Denwood by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The new site was named after William Wainwright, the second vice president of the railway.
Wainwright was originally established as a divisional point for the railway, but the plans didn't go through. Even though the plans for the railway changed, the town continued to grow. It has become a main center for agriculture in the area and also has ties with oil and gas since 1921.
The town also has a close connection to the bison, as Buffalo National Park was created in 1907 just south of town. The park was developed to help save endangered bison. The park was open until 1939 and was very successful, with over 39,000 head of buffalo being produced in the park. After removing the buffalo, the park was turned into a training establishment for the Canadian Army.
The facility is now known as Camp Wainwright. Between 1945-1946, the camp was used to hold German prisoners of war. Over the years, the camp has continued to develop. It is now considered one of the primary training areas in Canada.