Atlas Coal Mine facts for kids
| Location | |
|---|---|
 Atlas Coal Mine
Atlas Coal Mine
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| Location | East Coulee |
| Province | Alberta |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 51°19′43″N 112°28′57″W / 51.32863°N 112.48251°W |
| Production | |
| Products | Coal |
| History | |
| Opened | 1911 |
| Closed | 1984 |
Tipple and main ore conveyor
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| Type | History Museum |
| Nearest city | Drumheller |
| Built | 1937 |
| Visitors | (in 35,000+) |
| Governing body | Atlas Coal Mine Historical Society |
| Website | Atlas Coal Mine site |
| Designated | 2002 |
The Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site is a really cool old coal mine in Alberta, Canada. It stopped working in 1979, but it was open from 1936. You can find it in East Coulee, which is close to Drumheller. Many people think it's the most complete historic coal mine in Canada. It's also home to the very last wooden structure used for sorting coal, called a coal tipple, in Canada. This tipple is also the biggest one still standing in North America! Because it's so special, it became an Alberta Provincial Historic Resource in 1989 and a National Historic Site of Canada in 2002.
Contents
History of the Atlas Coal Mine
The coal found in the Drumheller area was a type called sub-bituminous coal. People mostly used it to heat their homes, for cooking, and to make electricity. It also helped power the big steam trains of the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways across the prairies.
Why Coal Mining Was Easier Here
The coal seams in this area were flat, which made them easier to dig up. They also had less methane gas, which made mining safer than in mountain areas. The time when coal mining was a big deal in this valley lasted from 1911 to 1984. The Atlas No. 3 and 4 mines were the last ones to close.
Preserving the Past at Atlas No. 3 Mine
The buildings and structures from the Atlas No. 3 Mine have been saved. They are now part of the National Historic Site. The Atlas Mine Historical Society takes care of this important place.
The Famous Wooden Coal Tipple
One of the most amazing things at the mine is the last wooden coal tipple in Canada. It was built in 1937. A tipple is a huge machine that helped load and sort the coal. It's taller than a seven-story building! Today, this giant structure reminds everyone of the rich mining history in the Drumheller Valley.
Old Mining Equipment and Buildings
You can still see lots of old mining equipment at the site. There's even a working battery-powered locomotive from before 1936. Many original buildings are still standing too. These include the wash house, where miners cleaned up, the supply house, the lamp house, and the mine office. This site helps us remember the stories and tools of the brave men who once dug for coal here. The Atlas is the only one left of 139 mines that used to be in the valley.
Remembering Those Who Worked Here
Sadly, some accidents happened during the mine's operation. On one difficult day, June 24, 1941, four people lost their lives. Three died in a gas explosion, and a fourth person died trying to rescue them.
Visiting the Atlas Coal Mine
The Atlas Coal Mine is open for visitors from May until the Thanksgiving weekend. It's a great place to learn about history!
What to See and Do on a Tour
When you visit, you can take guided tours that transport you back in time.
- You can ride on the old locomotive, which is nicknamed Linda.
- You can walk up the tall wooden tipple and imagine what it was like when it was working.
- Since 2009, visitors can also explore the 210-foot underground conveyor tunnel.
- You can also see the recently fixed-up Blacksmith Shop, where tools were made and repaired.
