EdmontonOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Fur Trade Post to Provincial Capital

Edmonton's origins trace back to the late 18th century with the establishment of fur trading posts. In 1795, the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) founded "Edmonton House" along the North Saskatchewan River. This initial post, and its subsequent relocations, served as a hub for the fur trade in the Northwest. The fort was dismantled in 1914.

The city began to take on a more formal structure in the early 20th century. When Alberta became a province in 1905, Edmonton was chosen as its capital. This led to a period of construction and growth. The Alberta Legislature Building, a Beaux-Arts style edifice, was built between 1907 and 1913. Its construction on land purchased from the Hudson's Bay Company, adjacent to the remains of the old Fort Edmonton, symbolized the province's evolution from a frontier outpost to a settled urban center.

The High Level Bridge and Early 20th Century Development

Another development in Edmonton's early 20th century was the construction of the High Level Bridge. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) between 1910 and 1913, this steel truss bridge was an engineering feat for its time. It combined four modes of transportation: train, streetcar, automobile, and pedestrian. The bridge played a role in the amalgamation of the City of Strathcona and the City of Edmonton in 1912, physically linking the two communities across the North Saskatchewan River.

The early 1900s also saw the construction of the city's first proper courthouse. Completed in 1912, this two-storey Neoclassical building, clad in Calgary sandstone with a British Columbia granite foundation, replaced a series of temporary courtrooms. It stood at the southwest corner of 100th Street and 102A Avenue NW until its demolition in 1972 to make way for the Edmonton City Centre mall.

• —Alberta Legislature Building — See the Beaux-Arts architecture of Alberta's provincial government seat, completed in 1913. The building has a central dome, symmetrical elevations, and ornamentation. Inside, there is a rotunda with a circular marble fountain and a marble staircase leading to the Assembly Chamber.
• —Royal Alberta Museum — Explore the human and natural history of Alberta at this museum, which opened in its original form in 1967 and was renamed in 2005. It houses exhibition spaces with collections.
• —High Level Bridge — Walk across or view this bridge, constructed between 1910 and 1913. It is notable for its dual-deck design and its original capacity to carry trains, streetcars, automobiles, and pedestrians. A tourist streetcar operates on the upper deck seasonally.
• —Fort Edmonton Park — Visit Canada's largest living history museum by area. The park features reconstructed historical structures representing Edmonton's development through four eras: 1846 (fur trade), 1885 (settlement), 1905, and 1920. You can ride a steam train and interact with costumed interpreters.
• —Rutherford House — Visit the former home of Alexander Cameron Rutherford, Alberta's first Premier, from 1911 to 1940. This two-storey red brick and sandstone building shows Edwardian architecture and is a provincial historic site.
• —St. Joseph's Cathedral Basilica — See the main portal and architectural details of this religious landmark in Edmonton.

The best time to visit Edmonton for warm-weather activities and festivals is from early July to mid-August, when average daily high temperatures are above 18°C and can reach 23°C. This period offers long daylight hours, sometimes up to 17 hours in June, suitable for outdoor exploration. July is the wettest month.

Spring (March to May) offers mild temperatures, ranging from 0°C to 18°C, with less rain, making it suitable for a quieter visit. Autumn (September to November) brings colorful foliage and various festivals.

Winter (November to March) is cold, with average daily high temperatures below -0.5°C and lows often dropping below -17°C. While the city has indoor markets and recreation, it is generally the period to avoid for extensive outdoor sightseeing.

Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is 30 kilometers south of downtown. You can reach the city center via Route 747 bus service to Century Park Station, which connects to the LRT (Light Rail Transit), or by taxi or rideshare.

Getting around Edmonton is possible with the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS), which operates buses and the LRT. The LRT has three main lines: Capital, Metro, and Valley, connecting downtown with various parts of the city. Arc cards offer a tap-on/tap-off electronic fare payment system. Buses cover most neighborhoods. For shorter distances, downtown Edmonton has protected bike lanes, and e-scooters and e-bikes are available for rent in warmer months.

Parking is available downtown, with street parking generally being the cheapest option. Various apps can help find real-time availability and rates for public and private lots.

Edmonton has several farmers' markets. The Old Strathcona Farmers' Market is open year-round on Saturdays and Sundays. The Downtown Farmers' Market operates indoors year-round on weekends, expanding outdoors on 103 Avenue from May to October.