Bankhead, Alberta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bankhead
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Ruins of the lamp house at Bankhead
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Improvement district | ID No. 9 (Banff) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Unincorporated |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Area codes | 403, 587, 825 |
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Bankhead, Alberta was a small town that existed in the early 1900s. It was a coal mining community located inside Banff National Park, very close to the town of Banff, Alberta. The mine was found at Cascade Mountain. This mountain had lots of high-quality anthracite coal.
The Bankhead coal mine was run by the Pacific Coal Company. This company was part of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The railway needed the coal to power its steam engines. The mine started working in 1903.
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The Story of Bankhead
Bankhead was a busy place for a while. About 200 to 300 men worked in the mine. They dug up between 500 and 600 tons of coal every day. The town itself had around 1,000 people living there.
Why Bankhead Closed
On June 17, 1922, a local newspaper announced that the Bankhead Mines would close. Notices were put up around town. They said that after July 15, 1922, the mine staff would no longer be needed. The coal operations would stop.
People believed the mine was not making enough money. There had also been a workers' strike two months before the announcement. The mines had been closed since then. The newspaper said that after this date, Bankhead would be a "dead town" for coal mining.
What Happened to the Town Buildings
The mining company owned all the buildings in Bankhead. They rented them to the people who lived there. After the mine closed, many buildings were moved. In 1926, they were taken to nearby towns like Banff and Canmore.
The old Bankhead Railway Station is still around today. It was moved to the grounds of the Banff Hostel. You can find it on Tunnel Mountain Road. There is a map of the old Bankhead townsite outside its front door.
Bankhead Today
Today, you can visit what's left of Bankhead. An interpretive trail goes through the Lower Bankhead area. Signs along the trail tell you about the main buildings that used to be there. They also share other interesting facts about the town.
You can see the foundations of many old buildings. One building is still standing and has displays inside. You can look through the windows to see them. More remains of the town can be seen near the Upper Bankhead parking lot.
Bankhead is easy to find. It's on the Lake Minnewanka road. This is just a short drive from the Banff townsite or the Trans Canada Highway.
Nearby Anthracite Mine
Close to Bankhead was another coal mine called Anthracite. This mine did not work out well. Too much water kept flooding the underground tunnels. The Anthracite mine closed down in 1904 and was left empty.
Images for kids
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Bankhead Railway Station, now relocated to Tunnel Mountain Road in Banff
