The mission of the Alberta Geomatics Historical Society is to collect and preserve the history of land surveying in Alberta and to share the history in ways that stimulate and educate.
From early surveyors like David Thompson, who mapped vast uncharted territories, to surveyors today who use GPS and GIS technologies, surveyors have laid the foundation for settlement, land development and resource management.
The Dominion Land Survey facilitated orderly settlement and development in western Canada. Surveying the lands of First Nations and Metis settlements was critical for recognizing and formalizing indigenous land rights. Surveys for resource development have enabled effective management of natural resources, driving economic growth.
As Alberta continues to grow, the role of surveyors remains essential, contributing to the province’s progress.
The Dominion Land Survey System
The Dominion Land Survey facilitated the rapid and orderly settlement of the West. The system, consisting of meridians, base lines, townships, sections, range and township roads, and correction lines, is likely the largest block of land ever surveyed under a single unified system in the world.
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Matt Wuhr Interview July 8 1999
Matt spent most of his career surveying in the Arctic and surveying Indian Reserves and national parks in Alberta. The Alberta Geomatics Historical Society has nearly 1,600 color photographic slides that he took while doing his surveys. He was interviewed by Les Frederick on July 8, 1999.
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The Survey of the Alberta-British Columbia Boundary 1913-1924
Part of the boundary between Alberta and British Columbia that followed the continental divide of the Rocky Mountains. For centuries it had formed a natural boundary for First Nations and fur traders.
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