History of Nanton
Pioneers first settled in the Mosquito Creek Community (Nanton
area) in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. On June 22, 1903, a
village was formed and named Nanton, after the late Sir Augustus
Nanton (1860 – 1925). Sir Augustus Nanton was a partner in the
financial firm, Osler, Hammond and Nanton, of Ontario. He was
sent by the firm to the west to investigate investment in farm
mortgages. Renowned for his sound judgment, he became a
director for many companies, including the Canadian Pacific
Railway, Hudson’s Bay Company, Great West Life and the Dominion
Bank. He arranged financing of the Calgary and Edmonton
Railway, sold subsequently to the C.P.R. It was his close
association with these two companies that led the community to
name the village, “Nanton”. Nanton was incorporated as a Town
in the summer of 1907.
Town of Nanton Crest and Nanton Family
The Nanton Family history dates back to the 1500’s. The Town
crest was recognized by the College of Arms, London, England, as
a true crest of William Naunton, of Naunton Hall, Suffolk,
England, in 1553. Another ancestor, Sire Robert Naunton, had
the same Coat of Arms. He was a member of the Court of Queen
Elizabeth I. Later, Naunton was the Secretary of State to King
James I.
The
Town of Nanton officially adopted the Nanton Coat of Arms in
1983, with the consent of the Nanton family. Some changes were
required to allow the Town use of the crest as opposed to its
use by a knight. The bird on top of the helmet is known as
“Wyvern”, a winged two-legged dragon with a barbed tail. On the
shield below are three birds known as “Martlets”, a Heraldic
bird with no feet.
Location
Nestled between the breathtaking beauty of Alberta’s Rocky
Mountains and a spacious prairie landscape, Nanton and area
offers small town charm, safety and opportunity. The Town is
located just 40 minutes south of Calgary, one of Canada’s major
and most modern cities. It is linked to its trading areas by
way of two major highways, #2 and #533. Highway #2, located
within the Town limits, offers direct access to American and
provincial markets. Nanton provides a rural lifestyle close to
urban facilities and conveniences. On its own, it provides
excellent business and lifestyles advantages.
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District: |
Municipal District of Willow Creek |
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Longitude: |
113 deg. 46 min
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Latitude: |
50 deg. 21 min |
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Elevation: |
1008 metres (3306 ft.) |
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Closest major city: |
Calgary: 75 km or 44 miles |
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U.S. Border: |
Coutts/Sweetgrass: 170 km or 106
miles |
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Edmonton: |
375 km or 232 miles |
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Lethbridge: |
155 km or 96 miles |
Climate
Nanton experiences warm summers with
traditionally mild fall and winter temperatures. During the
winter months, Chinook winds blow warm air in from the
mountains, sometimes raising temperatures as much as 20 degrees
Celsius in a day.
|
Seasonal Average
Temperatures |
|
Summer |
17.1 C |
62.8 F |
|
Fall |
5.1 C |
41.2 F |
|
Winter |
-16.6 C |
2.1 F |
|
Spring |
4.2 C |
39.6 F |
|
Annual Average Precipitation |
|
Rain |
32. 5cm |
12.8 in. |
|
Snow |
99.7 cm |
39.3 in. |
|
Frost-free
days |
109 |
|
Hours of
sunshine |
2,314 |
Alberta has a moderate climate that enjoys four distinct
seasons, including warm summers and mild Canadian winters.
Precipitation averages 425 millimeters (16.7 inches) of which
150 millimeters (5.9 inches) falls as snow. From May to
September the mean rainfall averages 300 millimeters (11.8
inches) and is sufficient to assure a good crop. Individual
snowfalls rarely exceed 15 millimeters (6 inches) and snow depth
of 30 centimeters (12 inches) occurs on average of once in ten
years.
Nanton experiences warm summers with traditionally mild fall and
winter temperatures. Warm Chinook winds often blow in from the
mountains, sometimes raising temperatures in the winter months
by as much as 20 degrees Celsius in a day.
Population
According to the last official
Municipal Census of 2009, the general population of the Town of
Nanton was 2,124. Please visit
Statistics Canada for further federal population statistics.
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The Town of Nanton is pleased to have been twinned with the
Towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley and the City of Cutbank,
Montana, U.S.A., by Council Resolution, in December of 1991. An
official “Sister Cities” document was signed between the four
cities on June 6, 2004, in Black Diamond, Alberta. Nanton has
also been twinned with Charny, Quebec and Oguni, Japan. A
beautiful souvenir statue from Oguni, Japan was generously
donated to the Town and is on display in the Nanton Thelma
Fanning Library.
Black Diamond, Alberta –
www.town.blackdiamond.ab.ca
Turner Valley, Alberta -
www.turnervalley.ca
Cutbank, Montana –
www.cutbankmontana.org
In 2009, the Nanton Lancaster Society officially twinned with
Senantes, France, as this small village is historically linked
to the Lancaster aircraft. Visit the Nanton Lancaster
Museum's website at
www.lancastermuseum.ca for further information! |
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