Banff History
The Rocky Mountains were formed 175 million years ago, as the Pacific tectonic plate slowly moved under the North American plate. As this plate moved, it forced all the land mass together, causing this large amount of rock to move upward. As the years passed, the wind, water and glaciers carved out the beautiful formations and caused the mountains to slowly erode. Even today, examples of this can be seen in the Glacier National Park , and the cycle of erosion and growth continues.
The first visitors to Banff were the native people of Canada, with archaeological records from 11 000 BC, when the Crees, Kootenays and Plains Blackfoot were believed to have lived in the region of the bow valley, hunting and fishing in the vast natural region.
The isolation of the Pacific coast from the rest of Canada was almost complete during this period. The only practical route from the Pacific coast to England was by sea around Cape Horn . When the North West Company was absorbed by the Hudson 's Bay Company in 1821, Dr. John McLoughlin was sent to superintend the affairs of the latter organization in the huge area lying between the Rockies and the Pacific and reaching as far south as California.
The first recorded visit of a European to the Rockies is Anthony Hendy, in 1754. Later on, in 1800, David Thompson and Duncan McGillvray explored the bow valley and the area beyond. These two gentlemen are well documented in having mapped out a large part of western Canada . It was not until 1886, when the Canadian Pacific railroad set up its trans-continental line that Banff became the true tourist destination.
Up until the 1880's, the Rocky Mountains were seen as a hunter and trappers land. This area was used as a part of the fur trade, with the large demand for beaver furs in England and Europe . The trappers and hunters of the Northwest Corporation and the Hudson Bay Corporation mapped out much of this land in their pursuit of the Canadian beaver, never knowing the future of their trap lines were the birth of a country.
When the government of Canada promised the province of British Columbia a railway line from coast to coast in exchange for joining the dominion of Canada instead of the United States , it was necessary to find a route over the majestic Rockies . This was no easy task, one that fell to Major "hells Bells" Rogers, a man so tough and surely who seemed to survive on a diet of chewing tobacco and raw beans. The Major did find a way across the Rockies, and in 1883 the Canadian Pacific Railway was built through Sliding 29, now known as the town of Banff.
Much of Banff is a result of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The famous hot springs at Sulphur Mountain were discovered by 3 railway workers, the first major hotel was constructed by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) company, even the name Banff originates from Banffshire , Scotland , the birthplace of the presidents of the CN rail at the time. For this reason, the Fairmont Banff Springs was the main lodging in the region. When Cornelius Van Horn, the general manager of the CPR came out to the Rockies to see the route his train must take, he came up with the famous quote: "Since we can't export the scenery, we'll have to import the tourists." Van Horn went on to ensure that there was the best accommodation for his guests as they travel the railway, making way for such grand hotels as the Fairmont Banff Springs, the Fairmont Lake Louise, and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Van Horn was so involved, that upon visiting the location of the current Banff Springs, he noticed that the guestrooms overlooked the trees and the kitchen overlooked the valley. It only takes a second to see the incredible view from the Banff Springs to know what a foolish move this was. As a result the construction was changed and the guest rooms looked out over the valley.
In 1887 Banff receives National Park status, and five years later Lake Louise is added to the Rocky Mountains Park . By 1895, Kootenay Lakes Forest Park (now known as Waterton Lakes National Park ) is established. In 1900 Bill and Jim Brewster begin their guiding and outfitting company, building the area's tourist trade. In 1902, Rocky Mountains Park is expanded to its current size. In 1920, BC donates lands of Kootenay to be Canada 's 10th National Park.
After the Second World War, booming populations in western Canada and the expansion of air and car travel increased awareness of the Rocky Mountains. In 1956, the Trans-Canada Highway is completed through to Yoho and continued westward. In 1961, the Icefields Parkway is upgraded to a paved road and by 1970, the Yellowhead Highway officially opens to join Edmonton, Jasper and British Columbia.
Over the following years, many fundamental components of today's tourism industry are opened or expanded. In 1964, the Jasper Tram is built south of town to the top of Whistlers Mountain . In 1968, the Radium Hot Springs' Aquacourt is completed. In 1977, the Alberta Government establishes Kananaskis Country east of Banff National Park , using money from its booming "Heritage Trust Fund". In 1980, Sunshine Village begins to operate its gondola to bring skiers up the hill, and in 1984 begins summer season operations. In 1985, the National Parks' centennial year (they become a World Heritage Site), the Cave & Basin Hot Springs reopens after major renovations.
Lake Louise
One of Canada 's intrepid travelers of the west was Tom Wilson. This man was an outfitter, guide, trapper, hunter and surveyor. He was so tough that at the age of 40, he was out checking his traps, when he fell through the ice. Knowing that he would die if he stopped, he walked until he reached a settlement, at the cost of his toes. His comments at this time was "well at least I lost them all and I will not be uneven"
One spring day when out with his native Stoney guides Tom heard thunder on a day without clouds. Asking his guides about the loud noise, his guides led him to the place they referred to as Ho-run-num-nay, the " Lake of the Little Fishes". The beauty of this lake and the glacier behind it inspired Tom to name it Emerald Lake . The lake was later renamed Lake Louise in honor of Princess Louise, the daughter of Queen Elisabeth.
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