Hillcrest, Alberta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hillcrest
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Former hamlet
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 Hillcrest
Location in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass
Hillcrest
Location in Alberta
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Specialized municipality | Crowsnest Pass |
| Government | |
| • Type | Unincorporated |
| Area
(2021)
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| • Land | 0.51 km2 (0.20 sq mi) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 640 |
| • Density | 1,251.7/km2 (3,242/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
Hillcrest, also known as Hillcrest Mines, is a community located in the Rocky Mountains in southwest Alberta, Canada. It is part of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass. Hillcrest was once a small village, called a hamlet, before it joined with other areas in 1979 to form the Crowsnest Pass municipality.
Contents
Hillcrest's Story
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Hillcrest was named after Charles Plummer Hill. He was an early explorer who looked for coal and started businesses. Charles Hill grew up in Seaford, Delaware, before moving northwest.
In 1905, a company called the Hillcrest Coal and Coke Company started building the community. The same year, the Canadian Pacific Railway built a special track to carry coal from the Hillcrest Mine. They also built a train station. Hillcrest quickly grew to have about 1,000 people. The post office opened in 1907, with Mr. Hill as the postmaster.
Mining History and Challenges
The Hillcrest mine was successful and thought to be very safe. However, in 1914, a terrible underground explosion occurred. This event, known as the Hillcrest mine disaster, was Canada's worst mine disaster. It sadly took the lives of 189 people. This was almost twenty percent of the community's population.
Another explosion happened in 1926, which killed two more people. The mine eventually closed in 1939. After the mine closed, Hillcrest faced a difficult time as its economy changed.
Joining Crowsnest Pass
In 1979, Hillcrest and several other communities joined together. These included Bellevue, Blairmore, Coleman, and Frank. Together, they formed the larger Municipality of Crowsnest Pass.
How Many People Live in Hillcrest?
In the 2021 Census, Statistics Canada counted the population of Hillcrest. There were 640 people living in 324 homes. This was a small increase from 597 people in 2016. The community covers a small area of 0.51 square kilometers.
