Nordegg: A German
entrepreneur's bold dream and heartbreak-page 2
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By the following year, word of the newly-staked Alberta
coal fields was spreading fast. Rival prospecting crews were
heading west. Potential European investors wanted long-term
contracts for the sale of coal in place before advancing more
capital. Cohn knew transportation services were crucial. He then
worked tirelessly to secure a deal with the Canadian Northern
Railway. The Germans amalgamated with the railway in 1909 to form
Toronto-based Brazeau Collieries. The combined holdings amounted
to almost 60 square miles of coal producing territory. Martin Cohn
was named vice president of Brazeau, as well as head of the Rocky
Mountain Collieries operation at Mount Allan.
Cohn had his dream business empire. But it wasn't enough. He
changed his last name to Nordegg, which under some German
dialects, means "north corner"; his empire in the north
corner of North America. By the fall of 1911, the first bunkhouses
were built at Nordegg. Martin Nordegg returned to Toronto. He dug
in for the winter; determined to make his namesake town unique in
the coal mining world.
Nordegg's professional background before Canada was photo
chemistry. For most of his life, he would rely on his natural
artistic sense, even in business. Nordegg also had a compassionate
feel for people and their needs. In 1911, he adopted a community
plan that would be comfortable and attractive. Brazeau Collieries'
partners at Canadian Northern were planning a new garden city in
Montreal called Mount Royal. Main streets were laid out in a
circle with side streets running in line to the centre. The wagon
wheel street design was bold and dynamic, and Martin Nordegg
seized it. Nordegg insisted the streets would be adorned with
modern pretty pastel-colored houses. Flowers were even imported
from Europe to give the community eye-catching gardens.
By March of 1914, the railway was reaching the new Nordegg coal
fields. By the fall, the line had extended into town, bringing in
women and children. Surrounded by the beauty of towering Rocky
Mountain peaks, Nordegg's town site was also taking shape. Before
year's end, Nordegg had over 120 residential and commercial
buildings.
The town boasted churches, a hotel, a theatre, the huge
Big Horn Trading Company store and a 19-bed hospital, considered
the most modern in central Alberta. There would be nothing but the
best for Martin Nordegg's new community. He was determined the
dreadful living conditions of southern Alberta mining communities
would not be a part of his community.
Heritage Community Foundation Presents
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