It’s impossible to disagree that the history of cities in British Columbia is quite interesting and full of various events.
Fernie is one of the province’s cities. It was founded in 1898. Interestingly, its population increases significantly in the winter. This is one of the most distinctive features of this city. Such a seasonal phenomenon is due to the incredible nature Fernie is famous for.
Learn more about the fascinating history of Fernie at ivancouver. (Source: fernie.ca)
Beginning of the story
Currently, Fernie’s economic activity is concentrated on the mountain slopes. However, in the past, residents of the area were much more interested in the mountains themselves.
The name of the city is associated with William Fernie, the founder of the coal industry.
After Michael Phillips discovered coal and Crowsnest Pass, Fernie founded the Crows Nest Pass Company in 1897. He also established a temporary camp near Coal Creek.
Terrible catastrophe
Fernie experienced a terrible catastrophe on May 23, 1902. Then an explosion in a coal mine caused the death of 109 miners. They work at the Crows Nest Coal Mining Company.
Today, this catastrophe (by the way, it was one of the largest in all of Canada) is largely forgotten even by local historians.
New status
When the war began, several city premises were turned into a camp for interned prisoners of war.
Coal
Coal mines were constructed ten kilometres from the city in the narrow Coal Creek valley. Until 1960, the area was occupied by a small settlement.
It’s also worth noting that minerals were never extracted in Fernie. Coal coking was carried out on city territory. Fernie acquired the status of an administrative and commercial centre and was developing its industry.
One of the main roles in the formation of the city’s economy belonged to forestry. In addition, the local brewery produced beer called Fernie Beer, using mountain spring water.
Ups and downs
The Coal Creek mines were closed in 1960. Mining moved closer to the source of the river.
In the 1970s, Kaiser Resources opened huge open-pit mines there. It was necessary to fulfill new contracts for the supply of metallurgical coal. It was in huge demand in the Asian industrial market. People bought it to heat blast furnaces.
Profitable business
Around the same period, Fernie became an important residential base for miners. The local mines brought in a lot of income. Hundreds of cars filled to the brim with coal left the city.
Dangerous phenomenon
It is important to note that avalanches are quite common in the Fernie area. They often happen in the Flathead Valley.
This fact poses a great danger to both tourists and the local residents.
Thus, two avalanches caused the death of eleven snowmobilers on December 28, 2008.
Photo source: wikipedia