The name "Athabasca" is of Cree origin. Early spellings: Araubaska (Peter Pond) and Athapescow (Arrowsmith). Various interpretations of the meaning: "where there are reeds" (Douglas); "meeting place of many waters" (Voorhis). The town was first called Athabasca Landing about 1889; the name changed to Athabaska in 1904, and then changed back to Athabasca in 1948. The provisional district of Athabasca was established in 1882, encompassing the northern parts of modern Alberta and Saskatchewan. Unlike many other towns in Alberta, Athabasca predates the
Canadian Pacific Railway. Athabasca lies on a southern protrusion of the Athabasca River. During the
fur trade era, when rivers were the principal means of transportation, the Athabasca–Edmonton trail connected two different
drainage basins. The Athabasca River flows north and is part of the
Mackenzie River watershed, which flows into the Arctic Ocean. Edmonton is on the
North Saskatchewan River. Its waters flow into the
Nelson River, which empties into the Hudson Bay. Edmonton was in
Rupert's Land, but Athabasca was not. Athabasca was the terminus of the
Edmonton to Athabasca Landing trail, which allowed goods to be
portaged back and forth between river systems. The
North-West Mounted Police stationed officers at Athabasca Landing for the summer of 1892, due to increased traffic on the trail. The HBC post was rebuilt in 1914 and operated until 1924. The Athabasca Heritage Society put up signs through the downtown as well as along the riverfront that explain and depict the history of the town. It has also published a historical walking tour that is available from the town office, library and visitor information center. == Geography ==