Lucerne Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lucerne Peak |
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 Lucerne Peak
Location in Alberta
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,412 m (7,913 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Alberta British Columbia |
| Topo map | NTS 83D/15 |
Lucerne Peak is a mountain located right on the border between the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. It's part of the Continental Divide, which is like a giant natural line that separates which way rivers flow across North America. Lucerne Peak is also one of the peaks that make up Yellowhead Mountain.
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What is Lucerne Peak?
Lucerne Peak stands tall at 2,412 meters (about 7,913 feet) above sea level. It's a significant landmark because it sits exactly on the border between two Canadian provinces. This means if you stood on its top, one foot could be in Alberta and the other in British Columbia!
How Lucerne Peak Got Its Name
The mountain was named by a person named Arthur Oliver Wheeler. He was a famous surveyor and mountaineer. He named the peak after a small railway town that used to be located right at the base of the mountain. This town was also called Lucerne.
The Story of Lucerne Town
The town of Lucerne was important because of the railway.
A Railway Town's Beginning
In 1913, the Canadian Northern Pacific Railway built its tracks and reached Yellowhead Lake. They decided to build a railway station there and named it Lucerne. This name came from Lucerne, Switzerland, a beautiful city known for its lakes and mountains. Soon, a small town grew around the station.
Lucerne's Busy Years
For a while, Lucerne was a busy place. It had almost 300 people living there and was quite important, even competing with the nearby town of Jasper. It was a "railway divisional point," which meant it was a key spot where trains would stop, refuel, and change crews.
Why Lucerne Town Disappeared
Things changed for Lucerne in 1924. The railway decided to move its main operations, the "divisional point," from Lucerne to Jasper. Because of this, many people who lived and worked in Lucerne moved to Jasper too. Over time, the town became less important. After the Second World War, the railway station in Lucerne was taken down. Today, not much is left of the old town, but its name lives on through Lucerne Peak.
