Bankhead (Alberta)

Bankhead, Alberta was a small coal mining town in Banff National Park near the town of Banff in the early 20th century. The mine was at Cascade Mountain, which features high occurrence of anthracite coal. It was operated by the Pacific Coal Company, a subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which needed the coal to power the steam engines. The operation began in 1903.

A report published on June 17, 1922 report in a local newspaper states that announcements about the closure of Bankhead mines were recently struck anywhere in the city. In the announcements was announced that as of 15 July, the coal mining would be terminated and the employee would not be required from then on. The report ended with after this date Bankhead a dead city would be in terms of the coal mines. The report also stated that no reasons for the closure were reported, although it was common knowledge that the mines were not profitable. Two months before the announcement, there was a strike and the mines were closed since that time. Another report on the mine closure argued that fostered between 500 and 600 tons of coal per day every day between 200 and 300 men. The city had about 1,000 inhabitants.

All buildings in Bankhead were built by the mining company and leased to the inhabitants. 1926 many buildings in the city were moved to Banff and Canmore. The railway station of Bankhead is now on the grounds of the Banff Hostel on Tunnel Mountain Road. There is a map of Bankhead.

Today, a path leads through Lower Bankhead. Signs along the way explain the larger buildings as well as interesting facts. Still, many foundations are visible. Bankhead is located on the Lake Minnewanka Road a few minutes' drive from Banff.

In the near Bankhead there was another coal mine in Anthracite. This, however, was closed and abandoned due to water ingress in 1904.