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Location & History
With the combined beauty of the River Valley and the economic benefit of the Beverly Bridge (and Clover Bar Bridge), Riverview Crossing recognizes the special location of the Shopping Centre. The focus at Riverview Crossing has been to create a new experience for the community where the Shopping Centre is clean, bright and open, where families spend time together and bump into their community friends. A friendly, fun, safe, respectful and affordable location to spend time, shop and obtain personal services. Rundle at Riverview Crossing is an extension of this vision providing well designed, comfortable homes for the community where the community can enjoy the benefits of the location and the amenities of the Shopping Centre.
Olde Towne Beverly has a rich, deep history. Many residents of Beverly today proudly tell stories of the way things were in the Olde Towne, and the people and shops that made Beverly what it is today. Beverly pride is immense in the area, and many love to tell stories of their family’s deep, firm roots as members of the Beverly community. So how did it all begin?
Beverly got its name in 1904, and is named after a township in Ontario. The Beverly area prior to its growth was a series of river lots comprised mostly of bush and sloughs, but changed quickly when rich coal seams were discovered on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River.
With that discovery, the boom was on! More than 20 mining operations are documented in the first 50 years of the twentieth century. These mines, still deep below Beverly, are marked with historical plaques today.
By 1913, Beverly was incorporated as a village, with over 400 inhabitants, and formed its first mayor and council. This quickly grew into the thousands within the next year. 1916 saw over 130 Beverly men enlist for military service, and in 1920 the Beverly Memorial Cenotaph was erected in memory of 28 brave men who did not return. This historic Cenotaph stands on 118 Avenue to this day!
Fast forward to the late 1950s and early 1960s, and the work of amalgamating with the ever-growing City of Edmonton had begun. With the Yellowhead Trail now bypassing Beverly, Edmonton knocking on Beverly’s door, and the town of Beverly now in debt, amalgamation was completed on December 30, 1961, and Beverly’s 9000 citizens and five communities officially became part of Edmonton.
Many amazing families have come through Beverly, as have many iconic Beverly businesses. Some of these Olde Towne era buildings, like the historic early 20th century Cenotaph, still stand to this day. Beverly rich history, built on coal, is filled with amazing stories of true pioneers that set the stage for what we now see around us today.
The Beverly Historical Society works to tell the stories of Olde Towne Beverly. This includes an Interpretive Centre with many Olde Towne artifacts as well as annual events such as the horse drawn carriage history tours of Beverly.
You can also get a copy of the book Built on Coal by Lawrence Herzog, which extensively tells the stories of the people, places, and businesses that came before. Contact the Beverly Business Association if you would like to purchase a copy.
For more information, please visit beverly-history.ca