Nanton Travel & Tourism

Welcome to Nanton, Alberta

Situated along Highway 2 between Calgary and Canada's border with the USA, Nanton got its name in 1903 when the town was named after Sir Augustus Nanton. The wealthy investor was a director for many of Canada's companies, among them the Canadian Pacific Railway, but impacted this Alberta community most by offering financing for farms and ranches throughout the west. The town still serves a large farming and ranching community, partially evident by its two fully restored and commonly recognized grain elevators, which sit along the highway. In fact, this sense of yesteryear and homesteading history permeates the town and its reputation as an antique stop south of Calgary is justly deserved. An Antique and Art Walk leads visitors around the town's dozen or so antique shops as well as its historic buildings.

Nanton is perhaps best known, however, for its Lancaster Air Museum. The museum hosts a rare Lancaster bomber, which was built in Canada and which, with four engines, contributed significantly to the fighting effort over Germany during WWII. Today, visitors can do more than just set eyes on the museum's collection of planes; they can sit in the pilots' seats.