The People of Magrath - Magrath, Alberta
Posted by: 
T0SHEA
N 49° 24.548 W 112° 51.840
12U E 364786 N 5474608
The dedication plaque in recognition of the People of Magrath is attached to a large boulder and it is near the equipment on display. Galt Irrigation Park is located at Hwy. 62 and Main Street south of downtown Magrath.
Waymark Code: WMXQE2
Location: Alberta, Canada
Date Posted: 02/13/2018
Views: 1
Magrath is one of two settlements whose origins are tied to the construction of the Galt Irrigation Canal. In 1898 the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints entered into a contract with the Alberta Irrigation Company, which called for the Church to provide labor to construct the Galt Irrigation Canal and to develop two villages of 250 persons each.
The original canal, built between 1898 and 1900, stretched from the St. Mary River, near Kimball, to Lethbridge and Stirling. It was soon after extended and expanded, with concrete structures eventually replacing the first timber ones. The Galt Irrigation Canal was the first large-scale irrigation project in Canada and was instrumental in opening up semi-arid land in southern Alberta to agriculture and settlement.
Since its completion the area around the canal was transformed into a beautiful park with a fish pond, fountain, walking trails, all surrounded by evergreen and cottonwood trees. Along the walking trails there are numerous dedication plaques, informational signs and an NRHP for the canal. Included is this commemoration plaque in recognition of the To The People of Magrath. The plaque is attached to a large boulder with actually two plaques: Dedicated To The People of Magrath and the other commemorating the Oldest Operating Irrigation System in Canada.
DEDICATED
TO THE PEOPLE OF
MAGRATH
WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ALBERTA
DURING THE PAST 75 YEARS.
Transcribed from plaque