Chronicles of Canmore - a humble start

by Cheryl Archer

March 18, 2023

Canmore humbly began as a coal mining town in service of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in the late 1800s. Named in 1884 by CPR employee Donald A. Smith, the name Canmore is thought to be in honour of King Malcolm III from Scotland. The anglicized version of the Gaelic Ceann Mór (Canmore) has been translated as meaning big head or, more likely, great head or chief.

Queen Victoria granted a coal mining charter to the Canadian Anthracite Coal Company in 1886, and the first mine was opened in Canmore the following year. By the early 1900s, many of the coal mines in the Bow Valley began to shut down, and residents from the nearby towns of Anthracite, Georgetown, and Bankhead were relocated to Canmore and Banff. In 1965, Canmore was incorporated as a town with 2,000 residents. Hard to believe that was just under sixty years ago.

The end of an era arrived when Canmore Mines Ltd. closed their doors on July 13th, 1979. One hundred and twenty miners were instantly out of work. Many of the families of these miners still remain in Canmore today as evidenced by the annual Miners’ Parade. These families have witnessed huge changes in the town and its residents over the years. Of the mines themselves, only the Lamp House and a few mine entrances remain, due to safety and reclamation policies.

The 1988 Olympic Winter Games held in Calgary and Canmore heralded a new beginning for Canmore. This small, struggling community became the site of the Olympic Nordic events, which showcased Canmore to the world. Since then, Canmore has more than tripled its population and has become a vibrant recreational tourism-based community—with visitors coming from all over the world to enjoy the incredible Canadian Rocky Mountains and nature at its most superb.

As of 2021, there were 15,990 permanent residents in Canmore, proud to call this beautiful and enchanting town "Home." Canmore has a young, energetic, diverse, and well-educated population that values a vigorous, outdoor adventure lifestyle. You’re going to love spending time in this amazing community.

Looking forward to hosting you soon!

Peaks To Pines