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Nordegg, Martin

In 1906, Martin Nordegg arrived from Germany into Canada. He was invited by the Federal Government in order to develop Canada's resources. In 1907, he arrived at the Rocky Mountains to look for coal. A few years later, he discovered and developed rich coal deposits on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

The Nordegg field was first located in 1910. Nordegg began mining two huge coal seams in 1911. Martin Nordegg built the largest mine in Alberta and created a model town (not a miniature model though) that bears his name to this day.

Martin planned and built a modern mining town. The main streets were laid in a circle, with the side streets running in line to the center, much like a wagon's wheel. But shortly after creating his town, Nordegg was expelled from Canada during the First World War. This happened because we were at war with Germany and the government thought he could have been a spy! He returned in 1922 after World War I.

Martin Nordegg sold his shares in the company he had built, in 1923. He remained in Canada until his death in 1948. In 1955, as a result of lowering coal markets, The mine and the town of Nordegg closed. Today, Nordegg is considered a National Historic Site of Canada. Visitors are welcome to discover the area as it is now and find out more about its past.