Jasper Park named after trading post owner

It was 107 years ago today that Jasper Forest Reserve was established in the Rockies west of Edmonton.

It was named after Jasper Hawes, who operated a trading post in the region for the North West Company.

In 1911 the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway arrives; 1912 Great Northern Railway arrives; 1921 Jasper Park Lodge opens to rival the CPR’s Banff Springs Hotel; 1922 Athabasca Hotel opens; 1930 granted national park status as [Jasper National Park, the largest in the Canadian Rockies, containing 10,878 km  (4200 mi), and including the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and mountains.

In 1984 Jasper was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the other national and provincial parks that form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks.

2007-jasper-stampTo celebrate the Park’s 100th anniversary in 2007, Canada Post issued a single domestic rate (52-cent) stamp. Designed by Saskia van Kampen, the stamp features an ethereal photograph of the park, which was taken by photographer Daryl Benson.

A colour band at the top of the stamp depicts some of the variety of flora and fauna that inhabit Jasper National Park, which led to the colourful salvage design in the middle of the stamp booklet.

jasper first day coverThe selvage, which is a single image that shows the multitude of animals, plants and insects that call Jasper National Park home, was created by Vlasta van Kampen, a Toronto art teacher and the stamp designer’s mother. Vlasta also created the imagery on the official first day cover, which incorporates Jasper National Park’s 100th anniversary logo.

In 2006 the Royal Canadian Mint also released a coin to celebrate the Park’s upcoming centennial.jasper park coin

Crafted in the superior sculpting that has distinguished this captivating collection of 99.99 per cent fine silver coins, the 2006 $20 Silver Coin Jasper National Park features Mount Edith Cavell, one of the park s most recognized peaks as well as a favoured way to explore the backcountry on horseback.

 

 

 

 

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