Vulcan is a town located midway between the cities of Calgary and Lethbridge, in the Canadian prairies of southern Alberta. Vulcan is conveniently located 120 km south-east of Calgary and 100 km north-west of Lethbridge on Highway 23. The town's economy is mainly agriculture-based. Wheat, canola and barley are the main crops grown in the Vulcan area.
The town's name has brought some attention that has helped it become a tourist attraction. In the Star Trek television and feature film series it is the name of the fictional homeworld of the alien Vulcans.
Capitalizing on this coincidence, the town has built a Star Trek-themed tourist station (the Tourism and Trek Station), which provides tourist information, displays Star Trek memorabilia, and where visitors may participate in a space virtual reality game.
In 1910, the Canadian Pacific Railway grade was laid and the Vulcan town site was surveyed. By the time the first grain elevator had been built and the first train had arrived in 1911, Vulcan had a population of 28 and more than 14 thriving businesses. Just two years later the population of Vulcan had grown to nearly 500, more than 40 businesses were thriving, and Vulcan was able to incorporate as a village.
Offers a ook at Vulkan's past in terms of communication, heritage and medical.
Vulcan, Alberta's Spacey Tourist Information Centre