Alberton

The town of Alberton was founded in the late 1700s by Acadians who managed to escape expulsion by the British, and later this area was settled by immigrants from Scotland and England. In 1862 the town was named for Prince Albert (who later became King Edward the VII). 

Incorporated as a town in 1913, in 2021 the population of Alberton was 1,301. The Mi'kmaq called the nearby area Toqjuapji'jmujue'kati, meaning the place where the duck are plentiful.

I visited Alberton a week ago, and here's what I found: 

1. Selfie with the town's welcome sign: I took a pic of moi with the town's welcome sign on Church Street leading into the town. 

2. Visitor's Centre: There is a Welcome Centre in Alberton, but it was closed on weekends. 

3. Museum or heritage centre: I was hoping to visit the Alberton Museum and Genealogical Centre on Church Street, but alas, it too was closed on weekends. Instead, I visited the town's library located in the historic stone railway station, and found some information on the town on placards in the park outside. 

4. Public space: I took a stroll through Stone Station Park on Church Street, next to the library.  This park is located along the Confederation Trail that travels across the Island. 

5. Local restaurant: I enjoyed a delicious quesadilla at The Albert & Crown Pub on Main Street. It seemed like a funky place, I would love to return and catch a live show.

6. Locally produced spirit: No producers in Alberton, but while at The Albert & Crown Pub I enjoyed a Fixed Link Pilsner on tap from Lone Oak Brewery in Borden-Carleton, PEI. 

7. Art in public places: I found lots of murals around town, depicting scenes of town history and notable citizens. This one depicts Joe O'Brien, a famous harness racing driver born in Alberton in 1917, who won the US Trotting Triple Crown in 1955 and was later inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of fame. 

8. Town swag: I couldn't find any Alberton-specific swag, although Saunders Variety on Main Street had a little bit of everything; including a fabulous pair of Blundstones that came home with me. 

A little bit of trivia: The silver fox industry put Alberton on the map in the late 1800s. For about fifty years the industry thrived in the area, creating an economic boom. Today you can still find architecture in the town reflective of this prosperous era in the town's history.