Magrath was established in 1899 by settlers sent by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Utah and Idaho. These Mormon settlers were recruited by the Alberta Railway and Irrigation Company to construct irrigation works in the area funded by British interests by the family of Sir Alexander Galt. The settlers were paid in cash and land in the town. This was the first major irrigation work in Canada and was made possible by the settlers' experience with the extensive irrigation projects undertaken by their church in Utah and Idaho. The irrigation system was completed in November 1899 and spanned ninety-miles. It was the first large-scale irrigation system in Canada. The area's irrigation canal system supplies water to farmers throughout Southern Alberta and was the first major irrigation project in Canada. In its early years Magrath was known as The Irrigation Capital of Canada, and later as "The Garden City" for its beautiful natural setting, plentiful trees, and its Garden of Eden-like characteristics. The design and layout of Magrath was based on the Mormon's 'Plat of Zion' urban design model. Magrath also has historical links to the internationally recognized British Garden City tradition which was piloted in England during this same period. Magrath was named after Charles Alexander Magrath, the son-in-law of Sir Alexander Galt. Magrath post office was established 1 March 1900, with Ammon Mercer as first postmaster.
Demographics
The population of the Town of Magrath according to its 2017 municipal census is 2,435, a change of from its 2015 municipal census population of 2,398. In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Magrath recorded a population of 2,374 living in 757 of its 794 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 2,217. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2016. In the 2011 Census, the Town of Magrath had a population of 2,217 living in 684 of its 748 total dwellings, a 6.5% change from its 2006 population of 2,081. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2011.
Religious affiliation
The following is a breakdown of Magrath's population by religious affiliation from the 2001 federal census.
Protestant: 84%
Catholic: 4%
No religious affiliation: 11%
Christian Orthodox: <1%
Christian : <1%
Statistics Canada includes 44 churches in its 2001 Protestant definition, including the Mormon denominations of the LDS Church and the Community of Christ. The religious affiliation within Magrath is primarily from the LDS Church. There is a stake based in Magrath, which is composed of ten congregations in the town and surrounding area. As of June 2016, the total membership in the Magrath Alberta Stake was reported as 2433 members.
Attractions
Buffalo Bin Elevator - Magrath, the first of five ever built in the Province. The "Buffalo Bin" style grain elevator was built as an experiential elevator for Alberta Wheat Pool in the 1970-1980s, today only three of the original buffalo bins remain. The others still standing are Foremost and Fort Saskatchewan.
Christian Jensen Jr., Magrath's second mayor, first president of the Southern Alberta Sheep Breeders, President of the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers, the first president of the Alberta Federation of Agriculture, the director and founding father of the Alberta Wheat Pool, and Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers' Honorary Knight of the Golden Fleece. The Jensen Dam and Jensen Reservoir were named in his honor.
Ron Minor, Paralympic athlete. Winner of two gold and two bronze medals
Trevor Panczak, country performing artist and two-time Country Showdown National Finalist
