Whenever I travel the David Thompson Highway I always stop in Nordegg, a small mountain community of about 200 people, 90 km west of Rocky Mt. House. Sometimes I stay for lunch and sometimes I just grab a coffee for the road. No matter why I stop, I always sense an energy there, I suspect due to the fact that Nordegg was once a thriving and bustling mining town with a population of about 2500 people. For as many times as I have been in Nordegg, I had never done the mine tour until a couple of weeks ago.
When our guide, Amanda, met our party at the locked gate blocking the road leading up to the mine, I was keen on finally going on the tour but I didn’t have high expectations of what we would encounter when we got there. When I stepped out of the vehicle and took a cursory look around the site, however, I became a little more excited. Most of the structures, albeit dilapidated from age and from years of looting, immediately evoked that feeling of energy that Nordegg has always given me. And when we started our walking tour around the site and Amanda commenced telling the history of the mine and of the town site, I could imagine the flurry of activity as workers did their jobs in the various shops and as young boys ran around running errands and conveying messages. The energy was strong and I wished I could have been there back in the day.
When the mine permanently closed in 1955, Nordegg become no more than a ghost town. Over the years, however, the area slowly became a popular destination for hikers, campers, fishermen, hunters and all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts. Now, many more people visit the area and, although not the bustling town it was during the mining days, it is a busy stop for campers stocking up and tourists visiting the area. From what I understand, there are plans to develop Nordegg to promote it as a major tourist destination.
As for the mine tour, when planning a trip to the area it is an absolute must if you are really interested in learning about the history of the town. Amanda was courteous and knowledgeable and I left with a whole new perspective of this town that I have visited frequently over the years. You will also want to visit the miner’s café for a piece of their famous pie as well as the attached gift shop that promotes local crafts and art.
Visit the following websites for more information on the mine tour and times:
http:/www.travelnordegg.com
http://www.unlockthepast.ca
When our guide, Amanda, met our party at the locked gate blocking the road leading up to the mine, I was keen on finally going on the tour but I didn’t have high expectations of what we would encounter when we got there. When I stepped out of the vehicle and took a cursory look around the site, however, I became a little more excited. Most of the structures, albeit dilapidated from age and from years of looting, immediately evoked that feeling of energy that Nordegg has always given me. And when we started our walking tour around the site and Amanda commenced telling the history of the mine and of the town site, I could imagine the flurry of activity as workers did their jobs in the various shops and as young boys ran around running errands and conveying messages. The energy was strong and I wished I could have been there back in the day.
When the mine permanently closed in 1955, Nordegg become no more than a ghost town. Over the years, however, the area slowly became a popular destination for hikers, campers, fishermen, hunters and all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts. Now, many more people visit the area and, although not the bustling town it was during the mining days, it is a busy stop for campers stocking up and tourists visiting the area. From what I understand, there are plans to develop Nordegg to promote it as a major tourist destination.
As for the mine tour, when planning a trip to the area it is an absolute must if you are really interested in learning about the history of the town. Amanda was courteous and knowledgeable and I left with a whole new perspective of this town that I have visited frequently over the years. You will also want to visit the miner’s café for a piece of their famous pie as well as the attached gift shop that promotes local crafts and art.
Visit the following websites for more information on the mine tour and times:
http:/www.travelnordegg.com
http://www.unlockthepast.ca
