When most of us think of Banff National Park we think of pristine lakes and majestic mountains. However, from 1903 to 1922 coal was mined near Banff. The Lower Bankhead Interpretive Trail winds through the ruins of the coal mining operation. Some machinery, such as the locomotive used for hauling coal cars, also survive.




Slag heap




Lamp house: lamps were issued to each miner



Briquette building: coal was combined with imported pitch to make briquettes


Large fans were used to ventilate the mines.