Place Names of Alberta, Vol. 1: Mountains, Mountain Parks and Foothills

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

The first of a projected four-volume set, this volume is a great
improvement over previous works in Alberta toponymy. Many more place
names are included and many more name origins have been documented. A
brief introduction to the history of place name development in the
subject area, a selection of photographs, and a substantial bibliography
are included. Entries are arranged alphabetically and most contain four
location references: a National Topographic System Grid Reference, a
legal land description, longitude and latitude location, and distance to
the nearest population centre.

In spite of its unquestionable value, this volume is not without its
shortcomings. First, there are inconsistencies in content. For example,
there is sometimes an indication that the origin of a name is unknown;
in other entries there is simply no mention of an origin for the name.
Similarly, elevations of mountains are usually, but not always given.
Second, there are no cross-references from former or locally used names
to the current or approved name, although users of the volume are more
likely to know a local or former name. Finally, the volume is not
comprehensive. While Karamitsanis recognizes that such a collection of
information is constantly under revision, the lack of criteria for
inclusion and exclusion makes it difficult to determine whether
particular place names have been left out by design or by oversight. It
appears as though some local features such as named trails and specific
mines have been deliberately excluded (although some mining localities
are included). On the other hand, such well-known places as Ptarmigan
Cirque (a popular hiking destination near Kananaskis), Peter Lougheed
Provincial Park, and the locality of Winniandy seem to be absent through
oversight.

Overall, this series will be a useful addition to most reference
collections. Vol. 2, 3, and 4 will cover place names of southern,
central, and northern Alberta, respectively.