Atlas Coal Mine, Drumheller, Alberta

Comments 6 by Rebecca Bollwitt
Disclosure: Review — Our group did the Tunnel Tour, which is $12 for individuals, compliments of Tourism Alberta. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.

Last week I was on a tour with travel media exploring the Alberta Badlands prior to the Go Media conference in Edmonton, hosted by the Canadian Tourism Commission. We started off with a whirlwind tour of Drumheller and one of our next stops was the Atlas Coal Mine.

Atlas Coal Mine Tour

Since it closed three decades ago, this National Historic Site has transformed into an interpretive centre so that visitors can learn about mining history in Western Canada. In 1911 the first load of coal was shipped out from the hills and the valley began to boom. 139 coal mines were established and Atlas went through four iterations between 1917 and 1979. Today its tour guides tell the tale of this resource, industry, and grueling way of life for early Albertans.

Atlas Coal Mine Tour

Pulling up next to the old administrative building, our group joined a few members of the pubic on the Tunnel Tour, which is one of three tours offered. The Tipple Tour ($9) takes you through the last wooden tipple in Western Canada and you can ride the Mine Train Tour ($9) along the badlands as well.

Atlas Coal Mine Tour

Our group met Jay Russell, Program Director, for our Tunnel Tour and we hopped into “Linda”, a small battery-powered locomotive that took us over to the wash house. Once there, Jay explained the functions of the building, the history of the workers and showed off some of their equipment.

Atlas Coal Mine Tour

Atlas Coal Mine Tour Atlas Coal Mine Tour

Atlas Coal Mine Tour Atlas Coal Mine Tour

“Every language of Europe was spoken in the Drumheller Valley,” Jay told us. Many of the mine workers being from overseas, Eastern or Western Europe in particular. The history of mining seemed to be as complex as the background of each of the workers themselves. Unbeknownst to them at the time, the men who worked here had a hand in building our nation since coal from Atlas was pivotal in expanding and developing Western Canada back in the day. Unfortunately the men made just pennies per ton they extracted and tragic (often fatal) accidents were not uncommon.

Atlas Coal Mine Tour

Jay came to Atlas in the summer of 1994 and he was hooked. “There’s something about the stories,” he noted. “It’s compelling.” As he suited us up in hard hats and head lamps (fortunately not the open-flame style the original minors used) you could see his enthusiasm for his work shine through. He wasn’t simply a tour guide going through a rehearsed narrative, he seemed to live for the history and uncovering the past so it can be shared with future generations.

Atlas Coal Mine Tour

Our group headed up to the tipple and ascended an elevated wooden walkway to an inclined conveyor tunnel about 200 meters long. The wooden post structure of the tunnel was re-done in 2008 to make it more sound and exceeds safety standards. The air was cool and due to moisture that made its way in through the ground above, salt crystals formed below the conveyor belt that followed us up on the left hand side.

Atlas Coal Mine Tour

We emerged way up on the hillside, looking down on the old townsite. We walked up a dusty pathway to where the original entrance to the mine was located. Inside a 40-foot portal there were old photos from the mine and a map of the vast network of tunnels. The Atlas Coal Mine stretched for almost 5 kilometers underground. Short 200 meter shafts were mapped out like subdivisions on a grid.

Atlas Coal Mine Tour

At Atlas, they’re currently working on developing the visitor experience and even opening up the old network of tunnels in the future. Being a non-profit it’s a daunting task but thanks to public visits and donations, they’re on their way to expanding their programming.

It was one of the most interesting tours I’ve been a part of thanks to the level of interaction, activity, and the enthusiasm of the staff. I’m not sure what it is about mining museums but they tend to do a very good job (I also enjoy the copper mine tour at Britannia along the Sea to Sky).

You can visit the Atlas Coal Mine from April to October with their “Haunted Halloween” events around the grounds (October 22nd to 30th) being their largest fundraisers. If you’re in Calgary (or coming from Calgary) it’s about a two hour drive North East.

Related posts under tag: Alberta

Current Contests on Miss604
*All contests are open to residents of Canada only, unless otherwise stated. Contest timelines are published on each individual post along with entry methods. Some contests may only be open to those 19 years of age and older. Winners are announced on the contest blog posts. Contest policy »

6 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. Ginger GervaisMonday, September 19th, 2011 — 11:15am PDT

    This looked like a great time!! Lots of history there!!

  2. JennyMonday, September 19th, 2011 — 1:03pm PDT

    I’ve been to the area several times but was unaware about this. Looks like we’ll have to make a point of visiting next time.

  3. AngelaMonday, September 19th, 2011 — 3:38pm PDT

    I went there a few years ago with the family and my kids loved it. We plan on going back next summer and spending some more time in Drumheller as well.

  4. Canada’s BoomergirlTuesday, September 20th, 2011 — 9:34pm PDT

    Did you get to see bathhouse? Massive ropes with big hooks are on pulleys hanging from the ceiling. Miners used to hang their street clothes on hooks high above the coal dust. Halloween event includes it and the weather-beaten tipple. One of Canada’s best Halloween events. Times and dates for this year’s event are on the mine website at http://atlascoalmine.ab.ca

  5. Rebecca Bollwitt, Miss604 Rebecca BollwittTuesday, September 20th, 2011 — 9:39pm PDT

    Yes and yes! I have a pic of the wash house above. I already linked the Halloween event too, wish I could go!

  6. wayne18Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 — 11:04pm PST

    Hey friend, Excellent work on your website design. I use flexibility 3 which is a good free theme but I\\\’ve been thinking of buying one and I like yours. If you don\\\’t mind my asking what kind of plugin do you use for your blog SEO? I checked your code and it seems to do a much better job than mine does.

Also on Miss604.com
«
»