Top 7 Places to Visit in
Bankhead | Alberta
The page created by Amerley | Northern Alberta Institute of Technology | Photo by Vlad Umnov
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Bankhead Ghost Town Interpretive Hike
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In the early 1900s, Bankhead was a coal mining town opened by the Canadian Pacific Railway to help fuel its route. near Banff – but bigger than Banff. The mine was established in 1903, causing the town to thrive as its population grew to 1000. It sported comfortable homes, running water, electricity and even tennis […]
- Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr, Improvement District No.9 AB
- no data
- https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/bankhead-ghost-town-banff/
Bankhead Lamphouse
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Each coal miner was given a numbered mining lamp at the start of every shift. At the end of the shift, the workers would return to the lamphouse with their lights, and they were all counted to ensure that no miners were missing. Today, there are plaques to provide more history. The building is located […]
- Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr, Improvement District No.9 AB
- no data
- https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/bankhead-ghost-town-banff/
Coal Mining Train
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During peak operations, there could be as many as 400 coal mining rail cars carrying up to two tonnes of coal each! Today, there remains one coal mining train. Photos: Vlad Umnov
- Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr, Improvement District No.9 AB
- no data
- https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/bankhead-ghost-town-banff/
Bankhead Powerhouse
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Bankhead powerhouse provided electricity for the coal mines and residents of Bankhead and Banff. A plaque on its importance for coal mining operations and the inhabitants of Bankhead and Banff can be found outside the building. Photo: https://images.theoutbound.com/
- Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr, Improvement District No.9 AB
- no data
- https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/bankhead-ghost-town-banff/
Briquette Building
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Halfway into the Lower Bankhead Trail is the Briquette Building. Half of the coal generated at Bankhead was made into bricks at the Briquette Building. These bricks were used as fuel for trains and to heat homes. Photo: Vlad Umnov
- Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr, Improvement District No.9 AB
- no data
- https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/bankhead-ghost-town-banff/
Holy Trinity Parish
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Holy Trinity Parish was a Catholic church established in Bankhead in 1902. After Bankhead was deserted, the upper half of the church was removed and transported by flatcar to Forest Lawn, Calgary, in 1927. You can find the abandoned ruins of the church by following the Lower Bankhead Trail loop to the parking lot and […]
- Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr, Improvement District No.9 AB
- no data
- https://www.travelbanffcanada.com/bankhead-ghost-town-banff/
C Level Cirque Trail
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This moderate-level hike will take you through a forested and rocky trail through Cascade Mountain, home to one of the first mines established in Bankhead. During this hike, you will see abandoned coal buildings alongside coal trailings and six mine shafts. All the mine shafts have been filled except for the final coal mine shaft, […]
- C-Level Cirque Hiking Trail, Improvement District No.9, AB T1L 1K2
- (403)762-1550
- https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/randonee-hiking/banff?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=upperbankhead_parking#C-Level