A Geeky Guide to the Scientific Wonders of North America

"Dubbed “Canada’s Quirkiest Town,” Vulcan, Alberta, midway between the cities of Calgary and Lethbridge, has become a popular tourist destination because it shares a name with the homeworld of the Vulcans, characters from the Star Trek movies and television shows. But the town wasn’t named after the show. Vulcan was named by a surveyor for the Canadian Pacific Railway back in 1915 for the Roman God of Fire. All of the streets throughout the town were originally named for gods and goddesses. Located in the prairies of southern Alberta, Vulcan has a population under 2,000 who mostly work in farming. The town’s economy is agriculture-based – wheat, canola, barley – but the town’s people have no problem capitalizing on tourism dollars as well. In addition to a Star Trek-themed tourist information center (the “Tourism and Trek Station”), attractions include “Spock’s Bar,” and the “Scrapbook Cafe,” which only serves food and beverages with Star Trek-themed names. A replica of the starship Enterprise from Star Trek V sits outside of the tourist center, providing a photo opportunity. The writing on the display’s pedestal is in alien languages from the television shows. Vulcan’s annual Star Trek convention - VulCON: Spock Days/Galaxyfest - attracts hundreds of fans from all over the world." - ATLAS_OBSCURA