Embarras, Alberta facts for kids
Embarras is a small place in Yellowhead County, Alberta, Canada. It gets its name from the nearby Embarras River. The word 'Embarrass' comes from French and means 'barrier'. This name likely refers to the many piles of driftwood that often block the shallow, winding river.
The Story of Embarras
Embarras began in 1913. It was started by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTP). This railway company built a special train line called the Alberta Coal Branch. This line went south from Edson to help transport coal.
Why Embarras Became a Ghost Town
The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway opened coal mines in places like Mercoal, Cadomin, and Mountain Park. Embarras was one of the many small railway stops along this line.
However, by the 1960s, Embarras and other stops became ghost towns. This happened because coal mining slowed down a lot. Also, trains started using diesel fuel instead of coal. This meant less coal was needed, and the railway lines became less busy.
What Remains Today
The Embarras railway stop once had a station house. This building was removed in 1968. Today, you can't see any signs of the old station.
Prest Creek flows into the Embarras River near where the station used to be. A company called E. B. Johnson and Son ran a sawmill there from 1940 to 1963. You can still find parts of old buildings from that time.
No one lives permanently in Embarras now. But the area is still popular! People visit to enjoy many outdoor activities.
