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Raymond

The town of Raymond has a proud history extending back for more than a century. It was founded in 1901 by Utah industrialist, Jesse Knight, who saw the potential of the rich prairie soil, and the possibilities irrigation could bring to that soil. Almost immediately after the town was settled, a sugar factory was built, which brought employment to residents. On July 1st, 1902, only a year after the town was settled, ranchers held a rodeo for fun and diversion. Ray Knight named it the Raymond Stampede. The July 1st Raymond Stampede continues to be a classic western small town celebration that draws thousands to the community.

From the very beginning of Raymond, the importance of schooling and education was emphasized. The establishment of the Knight Academy and agricultural academy brought educated people to Raymond. That initial basis of learning and education continues to grow to the present. Raymond schools are renowned for academic achievement and success.

Along with academic success, athletics have also found a home in Raymond. Both boys and girls teams at all levels have reached the highest levels of success and is respected as one of the top athletic communities in Alberta. Raymond continually fields championship teams and graduates players to higher competition in football, basketball, volleyball, rugby, soccer, hockey and rodeo.

With the construction of a new high school gym and renovations to the elementary, junior and senior high schools, the town is prepared to move forward into the future in education.

The new swimming pool, scheduled to open in June, 2009, will add another element to the town making it more inviting. The community center with its elaborate and outstanding library, along with the Broadway Theatre helps build the culture and academic strength of the community.

Town of Magrath

The beautiful town of Magrath, Alberta is an ideal mix of urban convenience with a rural lifestyle.

The town was founded in 1899 with a vision. Charles Ora Card, founder of Cardston, Elliot Galt and Charles A. Magrath, businessmen and developers, saw the possibility of a canal system to irrigate southern
Alberta to open the area for agricultural development. Because of that vision, rich irrigated farmland now covers the landscape and is a vital part of the area.

With a view of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, the close-knit community of 2,254 has the true feeling of a “hometown”, where neighbours are friends and friends are part of the family. Magrath offers the best of
education through high school, with opportunity for youth to be involved in athletics and the arts, including the renowned Spirit of Alberta Marching Band.
Magrath is a people-friendly community, with beautiful parks, green spaces and trails. Most amenities are centrally located and within easy walking distance.

Convenient to Lethbridge, Waterton and the U.S. border, Magrath is an ideal location for residents to have the comfort of small-town living with wide-open spaces as well as the convenience of access to city amenities.

For those who work in Lethbridge, living in Magrath offers a more relaxed lifestyle with a short, 20-minute commute along Highway 5.

Stirling

Stirling is nestled between Lethbridge and Waterton in the heart of southern Alberta. It is a vibrant and growing community of just over 1,000 people. Its small population lends itself to a friendly, welcoming attitude expressed by everyone.

Just fifteen minutes southeast of Lethbridge, Stirling offers easy accessibility to all major amenities and is the home of many who work in Lethbridge.  Young families move to Stirling because of the safe neighbourhoods, excellent schooling, affordable housing, and clean air and water.  They stay to enjoy the peace and tranquility, friendly neighbours, and social aspect of the community.

Stirling was founded in 1899 by Theodore Brandley. Businessmen and developers Elliot Galt and Charles A. Magrath saw the potential of the area for an irrigation canal, providing water to turn the fairly dry land into rich soil for farming. They worked together with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to settle the area with men and families willing to build the canal and a community.

Stirling has been designated a National Historic Site by the Conference Board of Canada. By visiting the Michelsen Farmstead, the Galt Historic Railway Park, or the many older homes on large lots, you feel like you have returned to the early 1900s. However, new homes and subdivisions quickly bring you back to the 21st century.

City of Lethbridge

Lethbridge, Alberta is one of the larger centres of Alberta with a population of 83,960. It is located about 20 minutes north of Raymond, Magrath and Stirling and is the major trade centre for the area. Lethbridge is proud of the amenities it offers, and the large service area it covers. It is the commercial, financial, transportation and industrial centre of southwestern Alberta.

Lethbridge had its beginnings with the notorious whiskey trade at Fort Whoop-Up from 1869 to 1874 when the North-West Mounted Police arrived on the scene. This was followed by the development of a coal mining industry. With the growth of coal mining in the city, the population of Lethbridge continued to climb. As the city grew and developed, businesses sprang up. Coal no longer plays a role in the economics of Lethbridge, but the city expanded with the development of the agricultural service sector, and has diversified further in recent years.