Jasper Park Information Centre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jasper Park Information Centre |
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| Location | Jasper, Alberta, Alberta, Canada |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | A.M. Calderon |
| Architectural style(s) | Rustic |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
| Website | Parks Canada page |
| Designated | 1992 |
The Jasper Park Information Centre is a special building in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It's the main place where visitors can get information about the park. Located in the Jasper townsite, it was built between 1913 and 1914. At first, it was the park's main office. Later, in 1972, it became the visitor information centre we know today.
A Unique Building Design
This Information Centre was one of the first buildings in a Canadian national park to use a "rustic" style. This means it looked natural and fit in with the outdoor environment. Lt. Colonel Maynard Rogers, the park superintendent, had the idea for the building. An architect from Edmonton, A.M. Calderon, designed it.
The building uses materials found nearby and local building methods. Its design is very unique! For example, no two windows or doors are exactly the same. Also, the different peaks on the roof were made to look like the mountains around Jasper.
What Was Inside?
When the building was first finished, it had many uses.
- The ground floor was where the park superintendent lived. It also held the park's main office.
- Upstairs, there was a library, a small museum, and a room for drawing maps.
- The basement even had a fish hatchery, which is a place where young fish are raised.
The building also became a landmark for people arriving by train. The Canadian National train line runs right through the park. This administration building was a model for other buildings built in the Jasper townsite. It even influenced how buildings were designed in other Canadian national parks.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the building's uses changed:
- In 1936, a separate house was built for the superintendent.
- The fish hatchery moved out in 1941. It went to a new spot near where the Athabasca and Maligne rivers meet.
- The first park information centre was built in 1949, near the train line.
- In 1972, the information centre moved into this older, main building.
In 1988, the Jasper Park Information Centre was named a Classified Federal Heritage Building. This means it's an important building owned by the Canadian government. Then, in 1992, it was officially named a National Historic Site of Canada. Today, the upper floor is used for offices.
