The Story of Sparwood: Coal in the Crowsnest

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About

Since its beginnings as a small lumber settlement, the town of Sparwood has followed the risings and fallings of resource development in the Crowsnest Pass. Its fate and fortune has been determined by the coal industry, which has shaped the region profoundly. Yet before coal was discovered and settlers and miners first came to Sparwood, the local Ktunaxa First Nations people travelled through the area each year, following the seasons and the movement of the bison on the nearby plains. Their history in the area stretches back for over 11,000 years.

In the late 19th century, the discovery of rich coal lands brought crowds of immigrants, businessmen, and miners to the area. Four towns were established and grew: Michel, Natal, and Middletown, located in the direct vicinity of the mines, and the town of Sparwood, several miles away and originally far quieter than the other two bustling coal towns.

**Route**

In this tour, we will learn about the interwoven stories of these three towns and how they grew and fell with the fortunes and collapses of the coal industry. At Stop 1, beside the "Welcome to Sparwood" arch on Red Cedar Drive, we will introduce the town of Sparwood and explore its early history and what was located here before it was established. Then, we will travel along Aspen Drive to the Sparwood Museum, where we will learn about coal itself and its role in industrial development. At Stop 3, farther along Aspen Drive, app users can admire the "Terex Titan, the largest tandem axle dump truck in the world, and embark upon the story of coal in the Crowsnest Pass.

Stop 4 takes visitors to the Sparwood Mining Monument to learn about the dangers and difficulties of early coal mining and the many tragedies and disasters which have befallen miners in the region. Stops 5, 6, and 7 continue along Aspen Drive and dive into the rising fortunes of the towns of Michel and Natal. Stops 8 and 9 continue this theme, as well as examining some of the challenges faced by these communities. Stops 10, 11, and 12, which travel towards downtown, chart the fall of Michel and Natal and the rise of Sparwood in their place. The final three stops of the tour continue to explore downtown Sparwood as they look into the town's growth in the latter part of the twentieth century and the changes to the mining industry which have kept it a major part of the community's economy today. The tour ends on Centennial Square Road a few blocks away from where it started.

Links

• Website onthisspot.ca
• Download App apps.apple.com

Organizer

On This Spot

The On This Spot app takes people on guided walking tours through the history that surrounds them.

At each stop on their journey users will find themselves standing on the spot a historic photo was taken. They can view a then and now photo comparison, use the built in camera to create their own, and read about local history and how it ties into the broader human experience.

Based in Vancouver, On This Spot is working with heritage, tourism, and business organizations across Canada to expand the app's coverage.