The Past:

The Brazeau Collieries began mining at Nordegg during the fall of 1911, stock-piling the coal until the railway reached the new mining centre.

Log buildings were constructed at the minesite to house and feed the workers, and to act as a temporary on-site headquarters.

During the first (1911/12) winter, supplies and essential mining equipment were hauled by heavy sleighs along the frozen North Saskatchewan River.

The unballasted Canadian Northern Western Railway reached the new mining centre late in 1913 and, by March, 1914, it was ready to be taken over from the contractors. This was followed by rapid development of Nordegg town, and permanent construction at the minesite.

During the summer of 1914, 100 homes were constructed, as well as numerous support buildings, including the Bighorn Trading Company General Store and an Ice Cream Parlour.

Women and children had begun to arrive in the new town, which had been given the name of Nordegg, after its founder, Martin Nordegg. Mr.Nordegg represented the German Development Company, while Mackenzie and Mann represented the Canadian Northern Railway. The two organizations had joined forces to create the Brazeau Collieries, a mining company which intended to supply much of the coal being shipped onto the prairies.

The Brazeau Collieries held almost 60 square miles, or 155 square kilometers, of coal lands, located in a diagonal from Kananaskis' Mount Allan in the south, to coal claims in the vicinity of present-day Grand Cache, to the north. The Company had ambitious plans.

Many mining towns, established during the early 1900s, had unsanitary drinking water. Nordegg, nestled in the mountains amidst numerous fresh water streams, had a dam over Martin Creek. The spillway released the water to a pumping station, which supplied fresh, pure water to the town.

This dam also created a beautiful little lake which was used for fishing in the summer, and for skating in the winter. The Dam, located just south and east (above) the railway tracks, also was a favourite destination spot for an evening stroll.

Due to extensive forest fires throughout the entire region in the late 1800s, growth was considerably less than it is in present day. From anywhere in Nordegg, Coliseum Mountain was clearly visible, well above the trees which obstruct the view today.

Martin Nordegg's original intention was to build a Swiss Chalet-type of home on the west side of the lake formed by the Dam. This would have given him a panoramic view of most of the Shunda Valley, as well as the Rocky Mountains to the west.

Walking and horseback riding were major pastimes and recreational activities for all townspeople and, after the Forestry Look-out Station became operational on top of Coliseum Mountain during the late spring of 1927, this became a popular destination.

Construction of this Look-out Station was organized by Bill Shankland, Head Forest Ranger during that time period. All necessary equipment and lumber were hauled by horse to the top of the mountain.

This Fire Station on Coliseum Mountain was the first Fire Look-out constructed in Alberta.

By the spring of 1955, a new Fire Lookout location was operational on the top of Baldy (Shunda) Mountain, the mountain located immediately west of Coliseum.

Although Baldy is approximately 6857 feet (2090 m.) in elevation, compared to approximately 6693 feet (2040 m.) for Coliseum, this was not the main reason for relocation.

From Coliseum Mountain, a relatively large area of view had been restricted by Baldy Mountain.

The present Look-out Station on Baldy does have some view restriction to the southeast by the presence of Coliseum Mountain, but the Ram Look-out Station is able to cover the area which cannot be seen from the top of Baldy Mountain.

Over the years, Nordegg developed into a tightly knit microcosm of multi cultural Canadian society. Ethnic groups celebrated their heritage with public concert performances, parades, and parties and, three times a year, large full-community celebrations were held.

These were the Nordegg Sports Days, held on Victoria Day, Canada Day, and Labour Day weekends. These celebrations began with a Parade, and the Wesley Stoney First Nation people definitely were the most colourful part of the opening Parade.

Various events were held on the Sports Field, in front of the community Grandstand.

This structure was located just west of the present-day playground, close to the Nordegg Heritage Centre.

The Heritage Centre originally was Nordegg's second school building, built in 1945, after the first one had burned down.

The Stoney First Nation people always participated fully in Nordegg Sports Days. Various competitive events took place throughout the day, including a teepee raising contest put on by the Wesley Stoneys, who lived in the area west of Nordegg, and roamed freely throughout the region. (The Bighorn Stoney Reserve was not established until 1947.)

Contestants for best costume lined up in front of the Grandstand for judging, according to competitive category.

This Grandstand was encircled by a Race Track, complete with Judges Stand at the half-way mark, and various types of horse races were run throughout the day. There also were foot races organized into age groups, novelty races, pillow fights, tug-of-war, and bareback-horse wrestling.

Beyond the Sports Field was Old Nordegg's nine-hole Golf Course, which extended almost to where the Forestry Station buildings then were situated. These buildings sat on a knoll across a roadway, which still exists but no longer leads anywhere. (It is a no-exit road).

This is a very historic stretch of road.

Originally part of a Native trail, the history of this pathway goes back close to 10,000 years. This was a connector trail joining the north-south Big Fish Trail to the east-west inter mountain route through the Rockies.

Nordegg's Historic Golf Course, still operational in present day, incorporated parts of the original Nordegg Golf Course.

The present-day course crosses over a small portion of the historic Native Connector Trail.

As well, Number Seven Tee-off extends into the area which once was part of the Nordegg Forestry Station lawn.

Located in the Valley of the Shunda, the Nordegg Golf Course is a relaxed, family oriented course surrounded by a great deal of history, as well as beauty.

Very little of the old Nordegg remains today. It now is a ghost town, visited by thousands of people every year, who come from countries throughout the world. People drive and walk these streets, trying to imagine how it once was __ a thriving community which approached a population figure of close to 3000 people during "boom" years, when the mines were working steadily.

But the Nordegg Catholic Church, now a non denominational church, is still in use today.

Completed in 1936, this building maintains its connection to the past, while operating very much in the present. Services are held here each week, and it has become a popular spot for weddings, as well.

In 1999, the old church bell was returned to Nordegg, and re installed in the belfry. Each week, the deep, resonant tones of this bell, cast in the likeness of the Liberty Bell, peals out through the Shunda Valley.

And Into The Future:

Plans for a new Nordegg are well underway. North Nordegg subdivision has been established, and already has various business establishments.

Beautiful homes have been constructed, and

acreage lots are for sale.

Plans also include reconstruction of the old town of Nordegg, following much of the original town plan, with buildings following specific historical guidelines.

The new Nordegg will retain some of the elements and the establishments of its earlier life and, in conjunction with the Nordegg Heritage Center and the Brazeau Collieries Industrial Minesite Museum, which now has been declared a National Historic Site (2002), as well as a Provincial Historic Site (1993), it has the potential to become a place where visitors can take a complete "Step Back Into Early Alberta History"

For further information on town and area development, contact Nordegg Development or phone (403) 845-4444 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm (Mountain Time)