The Village of Forestburg is located approximately 80 km southeast of Camrose, at the junction of Highway 53 and Hwy 856. The scenic Battle River Valley is only 20 km south and offers both a unique natural setting and varied recreational opportunities. The rich farmland of the area was settled by British, Scandinavian, and German homesteaders in 1905. Coal mining has been a part of the area almost as long as agriculture, as enterprising homesteaders opened first of many small underground “gopher hole” mines in the banks of the Battle River in 1907. After the coming of the railway in 1916, a town site was surveyed, and Forestburg was incorporated as a village in 1919. Today agriculture, coal mining and power generation form the basis of Forestburg’s economy, along with increasing oil and gas activity.
The results of a planning survey revealed that what Forestburg and area residents liked most about their community was the “friendly people.” Small town values of caring and working together abound (no small town could exist without many volunteers!). Forestburg residents have a progressive attitude and a lot of pride in their community, as is evident in the many beautiful yards and well-maintained homes and buildings. Forestburg is the proud National Winner of Communities in Bloom 1999 competition in the 1 – 1000 category!
Click HERE to visit the village’s website.