Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE HEARTLAND
David Thompson
Highway
Red Deer
The road that leads to Rocky Mountain
House runs along the edge of the
Rocky Mountain Forest Reserve. As
travellers approach the city, stunning
views of the Rocky Mountains line
the horizon. Highway 11, the David
Thompson Highway, continues west
from Rocky Mountain House up into
the Aspen Parkland and on into Banff
National Park.
During the Riel Rebellion of 1885, the
Canadian militia built Fort Normandeau
on the present site of Red Deer. The
post was later occupied by the North
West Mounted Police. The railway, agri-
culture, oil and gas industries all con-
tributed to the growth of Red Deer, at
one point the fastest growing city in
Canada.
Fort Normandeau
as it stands to-
day is a replica of the original. A stop-
ping house next to the river was for-
tifi ed and enclosed in palisade walls
by the Carabiniers de Mont Royal
regiment under Lieutenant J.E. Bédard
Normandeau in anticipation of an at-
tack by the Cree during the Louis Riel
Rebellion of 1885.
3
Rocky Mountain House National Historic
Site.
© Travel Alberta
6
The idyllic countryside along the David
Thompson Highway.
© Travel Alberta
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