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How important was the coal
industry to the development of Alberta and southeastern British
Columbia? Coal mining was not the principal economic activity in
the region. In Alberta, agriculture was the driving economic
force until the 1950s. In southeastern British Columbia, metal
mining was more influential. Yet,
coal had a substantial impact
on development in the coalfields, and on economic
diversification in the region as a whole. Coal mining also
resulted in the rise of a number of communities scattered across
a wide area in the southern and western portions of Alberta, as
well as in southeastern British Columbia. The industry was
solely responsible for the early
development of
Lethbridge, the communities of the
Crowsnest
Pass, the
Coal Branch, and
Nordegg. At
Canmore in the Banff
area, the industry shared influence before
1900
with the CPR. In the
Drumheller
Valley, mining stimulated expansion after
1911
in an area where farming was
already underway. In Edmonton, on the other hand, coal mining
had less impact, providing fuel and a source of employment to a
city already under rapid development.1
In Alberta, where most of the
mines were located, the coal industry represented a valuable
diversifying factor to a regional economy dependent on
agriculture-ranching in the foothills (especially before
1912),
and the raising of crops
elsewhere. To these areas, mining provided a source of income
and profit which helped to balance the repeated fluctuations of
the agricultural sector. The industry also furnished a source of
seasonal employment for farmers and farm labourers in the fall
and winter when cultivation of the soil was not possible. The
influence of coal mining in the region was probably greatest
prior to the First World War when its economic influence was
second only to agriculture. Afterwards, petroleum began to grow
in significance on the Alberta side, while the coal industry
faced economic problems. Yet, the local importance of mining
continued in some areas until the 1950s and beyond. While
certain communities such as Lethbridge diversified commercially
and were able to withstand the decline of coal after World War
Two, many communities suffered greatly after the closing of the
mines in the 1950s. Most of the towns in the Coal Branch
disappeared altogether; Nordegg shrank to the size of a hamlet;
Blairmore and the other centres in the Pass struggled to
survive.2
In evaluating the historical
significance of sites, this study will consider not only their
own particular influence, but also the extent of their
association with significant periods and/or major coalfields in
the industry's history. A mine site will have historic value in
its own right, if it played a significant role in the coal
industry in terms of production, length of service, regional
impact, or other factors. However, a site can also be considered
to be representative of the industry as a whole, if its
development paralleled that of key stages in the industry's
evolution, or if it was located in a coalfield that had a
profound impact on the development of coal mining.
In terms of stages, coal mining
passed through three main periods prior to its decline in the
1950s. Between the 1870s
and 1898, the appearance of European settlers and railways first
made the industry commercially viable. While this period was
formative, it was less crucial than the golden years of the
industry, which stretched from 1898 until 1913. During this
time, the industry underwent its greatest expansion in
production; its fundamental character emerged in terms of
markets, corporate structure, and technology; and coal mining
was transformed from a marginal economic activity into one of
considerable importance. The following years, from 1914 to 1947,
represented a time of relative stability, less vital than the
preceding period, but still important in sustaining the
communities and economic activity which depended on coal
production. These were also the years when major coalfields,
such as the Coal Branch and the Drumheller Valley, came to
maturity. The years after 1947 represented the twilight of the
industry, and were less pivotal.
In terms of production,
employment, and local and regional impact, certain coalfields
were more important than others.3 The Crowsnest Pass
stands above the rest. Its impact was decisive during the
crucial years of expansion between 1898 and 1913, and it
continued to lead the industry in output and
employment thereafter. Of slightly less importance were the
Drumheller Valley and the Coal Branch. In both cases, they
developed later than the Pass area, but were substantial
producers and supported a network of mining
sites and towns. After 1920, the Coal Branch was consistently
second in output among mountain fields. The Drumheller area
became the leading source of domestic coal, producing more than
twice as much as any other domestic field. Lethbridge was of
less overall importance than these two. It was important during
the early years, but, from 1898 on, it played a less significant
role in the evolution of the industry. Banff-Canmore had a
similar history, developing early, but failing to match the
larger fields in production after 1900, when the industry had
its greatest impact. Edmonton's significance was limited both
because of its output, and because its effect on local
development was relatively small. In this case, no identifiable
mining community emerged and the impact of the mines was
absorbed within the larger local economy, with very little
discernible effect. Finally, the mines in the Jasper area were
of relatively short duration and small output.
William N. T. Wylie, "Coal-Mining Landscapes: Commemorating
Coal Mining in Alberta and Southeastern British Columbia," a
report prepared for the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of
Canada, Parks Canada Agency, 2001.
See Also: The Coal IndustryOverview,
Rapid Expansion,
Domestic and Steam Coalfields,
1914-1947: The Struggling Industry,
Collapse and Rebirth,
Settlement of the West,
Issues and ChallengesOverview,
Entrepreneurship, Technology,
Underground Techniques,
Surface Technology,
Surface Mining,
Social Impacts,
Unions,
1882-1913: Unionization and Early Gains,
1914-1920:
Revolutionary Movement,
1921-1950s: Labour
Unrest and Setbacks, Mining Companies,
People of the Coal Mines,
The Middle Class,
Miners and Local
Government,
Politics and Economics ,
Environmental Impacts,
Health and SafetyOverview,
The State and
Labour Relations,
The State and
Development after 1918
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