Experience A Family Weekend in Drumheller
The wind tousles our hair as we clickety-clack down the track pulled by Linda, Atlas Coal Mine’s 90+ year-old locomotive. Jessica, our guide, tells us “there were 139 coal mines in the valley and 1.5 million boxcars; enough to go around the world” at the height of the coal boom. Across the Red Deer River, coal seams are visible in the badlands. Years ago, as a Geography student, I hiked those hills, sketched and labelled the rock layers, and wondered at seashells that were left behind when an inland ocean covered the land. Now, I witness the wonder in my children’s eyes as they take in the scenery, history, and recreational opportunities Drumheller has to offer.
easily got jobs by claiming to be 18, the minimum legal age to work in the mines. In the manager’s office, we keep an eye out for the paranormal. The office is rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of Dr. Omer Patrick, President of Atlas Coal Mine and Johnnie Vasco, pit boy. On occasion, they have even untied visitors’ shoelaces or given them a push!
Atlas Coal Mine
Finally, it’s time to walk the gantry (ramp) to the top of the last wooden tipple in Canada. What’s a tipple? A processing plant where coal is sorted, stored, and loaded onto trains. “The tipple was the worst place to work,” Amelia declares. It was extremely noisy, dusty, drafty, and dangerous. At shift change 150 men called it a day and another 150 took over.
Of all the historic sites in the valley, Atlas Coal Mine gives the best picture of mining life when coal was king. In fact, it’s Canada’s most complete historic mine! Enthusiastic guides show off artefacts and share colourful stories about miners who lived and worked here. Memorable tales from the 1 km train tour involve trapper boys, rum smuggling, and how to trick ponies into pulling more coal cars.
After a picnic lunch, we don headlamps and hardhats for the Tunnel Tour. It gets darker and quieter the further we travel into the hillside. When we turn out our lights, we can’t see our hands in front of our faces! We are told tales of hazing rituals, rescue protocol, and the legendary Steamshovel Pete who shoveled 12 - 14 tons of coal per day for 70 cents a ton!
At the office, guide Amelia pays us our wages, tells us about the different jobs and how dusty coal miners were identified on pay day (by their voices!), then lets us in on 1930s hiring practices. It was a little dodgy to say the least. Teenage boys
East Coulee School Museum Kids will enjoy the scavenger hunt (don’t forget to claim your prize!), being a pioneer student (watch out for that strict school marm!), and having homemade pie in the Willow Tea Room.
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