In the beginning Canmore was a small but very important coal-mining town in Southern Alberta. It populated
quickly with almost 3,000 miners and their families moving to the area.
Although it started off with a boom the coalmines began to shut down starting in Georgetown and Bankhead. Canmore was the last
town in the Bow Valley to close down its coalmine centre.
In the 20th Century Canmore’s importance as a coal mining centre grew due to the closing of Anthracite’s mine in 1904.
A new coal seam was opened on the west side of the town and even though it held a small population and lasted only three years it
was known as a modern settlement that made other Alberta coal mining communities jealous.
Families lived in cozy, comfortable cottages that had electricity and running water. Other accommodations included a
one-room school, mine offices, a bunkhouse for single men, and a combination community hall. In 1915 the mountainside village
closed down but because it had created such a wonderful sense of community, families continued to travel there for hikes and
picnics, or sleigh riding and tobogganing in the winter. With the closing of Georgetown most of the residents moved to Canmore
sometimes even bringing their home with them.
When you visit Canmore today it is hard to see the past life the town had but if you look you can find the main entrance to the
mine, old root cellars as well as an abandoned cemetery of the deceased residents of Georgetown.
With over 2,000 residents Canmore was incorporated as a town in 1965 but because the coal industry was relying too much on the
Japanese markets it began to suffer when the Japanese markets diminished. Finally after fighting to stay alive for so long,
Canmore Mines Ltd. Stopped production in 1979 causing 120 miners to be out of work. It took less than a year for all structures
to fall.
Many residents were afraid that the town would never again reach its popular status but the 1988 Winter Olympics
announced that Canmore would be the site of the Nordic events, giving life back to the community. Since the Olympics the town
has tripled in population and most of Canmore’s old mine sites have been replaced with residential and commercial developments.
The Three Sisters Resort has dedicated its work to saving the history of Canmore and has recovered and restored a large majority
of the artifacts and former mine structures.
Although it began as a coal-mining town, Canmore has grown into one of Alberta’s most popular vacation retreats. Located in the
Canadian Rockies it provides both summer and winter activities for everybody to enjoy.
Summer time activities include fishing, golfing, hiking, cycling, and even rock climbing. During the winter months skiing, snowboarding,
ice fishing, and even dogsledding. Canmore is also known for its very popular shops that host local art, collectibles, and more.
The amazing scenery, fresh mountain air and the wide variety of activities and shops makes Canmore the perfect vacation destination.
Informative
Canmore Official City Website
http://www.canmore.ca/
Tourism Canmore
http://www.tourismcanmore.com
Banff, Alberta, Canada
http://www.banff.com/
Canmore, Alberta, Canada
http://www.canmorealberta.com
Canmore Museum
http://www.cmags.org
902B 7th Avenue, Canmore, AB, T1W 3K1, Phone: (403) 678-2462
Canmore Public Library
http://canmorelibrary.ab.ca/
950 8th Avenue, Canmore, Alberta, 1W 2T1, Phone: (403) 678-2468
Banff Lake Louise
http://www.banfflakelouise.com
“We invite you to discover our distinctive mountain lifestyle; explore the grandeur of our pristine surroundings;
ski the famed Canadian Rockies and spoil yourself with our international culture and cuisine.”
Trans Canada Trail
http://www.tctrail.ca
“A non-profit, registered charity organization, whose primary purpose is to raise funds to build a recreational
trail that will wind its way through every province and territory in Canada, linking.”
Three Sisters Mountain Village
http://www.tsmv.ca
“Nestled at the gateway to Banff in the heart of the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains, discover Three Sisters
Mountain Village - destined to become North America's premier Health, Wellness & Adventure Resort.”
Education
Canadian Rockies Public School Board
http://www.crps.ab.ca
To empower students to be their finest - Today and Tomorrow.”
Banff Community High School
http://www.crsd.ab.ca/bchs
P.O. Box 748, Banff, AB, T0L 0C0, Phone: (403) 762-4411
Banff Elementary School
http://www.crsd.ab.ca/bes.htm
P.O. Box 748, 325 Squirrel Street, Banff, AB, T1L 1K1, Phone: (403) 762-4465
Exshaw School
http://www.crsd.ab.ca/exs
P.O. Box 4027, Mount Allen Drive, Exshaw, AB, T0L 2C0, Phone: (403) 673-3656
Elizabeth Rummel School
http://www.crsd.ab.ca/ers/default.htm
1033 Cougar Creek Drive, Canmore, AB, T1W 1C8, Phone: (403) 678-6292
Lawrence Grassi Middle School
http://www.crsd.ab.ca/lgms/
730 - 4th Street, Canmore, AB, T1W 2L4, Phone: (403) 678-6006
Canmore Collegiate High School
http://www.crsd.ab.ca/cchs
1800 - 8th Avenue, Canmore, AB, T1W 1Y2, Phone: (403) 678-6192
Parks and Golf Courses
Banff national park of Canada
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/index_e.asp
Spanning 6,641 square kilometres of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers.
Box 900, Banff, AB, T1L 1K2, Phone: (403) 762-1550
Canmore Golf and Curling Club
http://www.canmoregolf.net
2000 - 8th Avenue, Canmore, AB, T1W 1Y2, Phone: (403) 678-4785
Golf Canada’s West
http://www.golfcanadaswest.com
“Specializes in superior mountain golf vacation packages to the Canadian Rockies
and British Columbia including the
Okanagan,
Victoria and
Whistler.”
Silvertip Resort Golf Course
http://www.silvertipresort.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=25
P.O. Box 8330, Canmore, AB, T1W 2V1, Phone: (403) 678-1600
