Castle Junction facts for kids
Castle Junction is a small, important place in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. It is where several major roads meet, including the Trans-Canada Highway and the Banff–Windermere Highway. This spot is named after the impressive Castle Mountain nearby, which you can see clearly from the junction.
Quick facts for kids
Castle Junction
Castle Mountain
Eisenhower Junction (1946-1979) |
|
|---|---|
 Castle Junction
Location in Alberta
|
|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Region | Alberta's Rockies |
| Census division | 15 |
| Municipal district | I.D. No. 9 (Banff National Park) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Unincorporated |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Area code(s) | +1-403, +1-587 |
| Highways | Hwy 1 (TCH), Hwy 1A, Hwy 93 |
Contents
Building Roads in the Rockies
Work on building roads in this area began in 1910. The goal was to create a highway across the Rocky Mountains. The first part of this big project was a road connecting Castle Junction to Banff.
Building the road was paused when World War I started. After the war ended, construction picked up again. By 1923, the new road between Calgary and Banff was finished. It then connected to the Windermere Highway through the road from Castle Junction to Banff.
A Mountain's Changing Name
The name of Castle Mountain and Castle Junction has changed over time.
Honoring a War Hero
In 1946, the Prime Minister of Canada, Mackenzie King, decided to change the name of Castle Mountain. He renamed it Mount Eisenhower to honor Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower was a very important general during World War II. Because of this, Castle Junction was also called Eisenhower Junction.
Returning to the Original Name
Later, in 1979, Castle Mountain officially got its original name back. At the same time, Eisenhower Junction was also renamed Castle Junction. This brought back the names that people knew for a long time.
Things to Do at Castle Junction
Castle Junction is a great spot for visitors to Banff National Park.
Places to Stay
- You can find several lodges near the junction.
- There is also a campground for those who enjoy camping.
Hiking Trails
Many hiking trails are available nearby.
- The path to Silverton Falls and Rockbound Lake starts about 200 meters east of Castle Junction. These trails offer beautiful views of nature.
Historical Sites
- The remains of Silver City are located close by. This was a settlement from the 1800s. It was founded by prospectors who were looking for valuable minerals.
- A historical site from World War I is also located nearby.
