Located in scenic Banff National Park, the Alberta ghost town of Bankhead was once a fully
operational coal mining town. Established in 1903, Bankhead supported coal mining operations on
Cascade Mountain and grew to a population of about 1000 people at its' highest. The town
itself consisted of a church,
The coal that was mined here, was pulled along tracks in coal cars, by small locomotive engines
which ran off of compressed air. During it's most productive times, 400 carloads of coal could be
hauled out daily. Each coal car could carry a capacity of around 2 tonnes.
After struggling with transportation costs along the to larger markets, and a
number of prior labour strikes due to workers wanting more pay, the mine was shut down in the 1920s.
The quantity and quality of the coal
being mined, were also declining. After only 20 years, the town of Bankhead dissipated and thus
became known as "The Twenty Year Town" and a part of Alberta's historical past.
Tipple Building from Mining Ghost Town of Bankhead, Alberta
Hiking Trails Around Bankhead's Historical Mining Town
Remnants of Alberta's Ghost town of Bankhead, Alberta can still be seen today along the
Interpretive Lower
Bankhead hiking trail. This is an easy hike to do for the whole family, as it is a short 1
kilometer distance, and is mostly flat terrain.
There are 70 steps which lead up to the
parking lot, but this is the most difficult part of the trek.
The trail will lead you around
the old buildings and mining equipment that were used to bring coal from the tunnels of the
mine in the depths of Cascade Mountain. If you are interested in hiking atRocke Lakethis is another nearby hike
to explore!
If you are interested in hiking atWillmore Wildernessthis is
another
nearby Lake
to explore!
Historical Bankhead Train Station located on grounds of Banff Hostel
Where are the Buildings of the Ghost Town of Bankhead Today?
Today, Bankhead is a popular historical site near the town of Banff, Alberta. But you can
still see some of the old buildings which have been preserved in different locations near
Banff, Canmore, and Calgary. Visit some of the places from the Twenty Year Town of Bankhead,
and enjoy
the scenic routes around Banff, Canmore and Calgary areas while you do! Some places to stop
on
your journey to see these relics would be at the old Bankhead Train Station located at the
Banff Hostel grounds on Tunnel Mountain Road. For more building descriptions and locations
of the historical Bankhead buildings.
Places to Eat, Drink, and Stay Near Bankhead, Alberta
The nearest lodging by Bankhead is either to camp, or stay at a hotel in nearby Banff, AB. Or you
could try the Banff Hostel, and see the old Bankhead Train Station there as well. If you would
rather hotel it, please visit our Where to Stay page, and book yourself in
today!
