Wakaw is a Cree word meaning "crooked". The name was taken from nearby Wakaw Lake and applied to the town.[3]
History
Re-creation of Diefenbaker's first office, Wakaw
Canadian National 6208 RDC2 at Wakaw, 1950-1970
The area was peopled primarily by settlers of Eastern European origin.[3] The town was home to Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and his first wife Edna Brower. Diefenbaker opened his first law office in Wakaw from 1919 to 1925.[3]
Wakaw was founded on December 26, 1911 after 21 residents petitioned the Department of Municipal Affairs, asking for the incorporation of the Village of Wakaw. It was located on Section 30, Township 42, Range 26, west of the 2nd Meridian, land donated to the town by Anthony Goller who immigrated to Canada in 1902. When the railroad was built the town was moved to its present location. On August 1, 1953 Wakaw was incorporated as a town.[3]
The community recognized its 100th anniversary by holding Centennial Celebrations on July 21 to 31, 2011.[4]
There are about 800 cabins at nearby Wakaw Lake, some of which are occupied year round.[3]
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Wakaw had a population of 978 living in 421 of its 496 total private dwellings, a change of 6.1% from its 2016 population of 922. With a land area of 3.09 km2 (1.19 sq mi), it had a population density of 316.5/km2 (819.7/sq mi) in 2021.[5]
Businesses in Wakaw include grocery stores, a pharmacy, restaurants, insurance agencies, and six places of worship. Outside of town limits, at the conjunction of Highway 2 and Highway 41, there are two gas stations and restaurants.
The town's school, Wakaw School, teaches students from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.
1st Street South
Notable people
Dave Balon - professional ice hockey player and coach
Harvey Cenaiko - former Solicitor General of Alberta and policeman
Tom Courchene - economist and professor; Officer of the Order of Canada
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