History of Coal in Alberta
Origins
Coal mining in Alberta started in the late 1800's. In fact coal mining has a longer history in Alberta than oil and gas does. The first commercial mine that was recorded was the Nicholas Sheran mine near Lethbridge. He was an independent one man operation who worked hard to mine using his pick and shovel. He found his own markets to sell his coal, beginning with selling at Fort Whoop-up.
Coal built communities
Like many other industries , some of the early towns in Alberta were created based on the coal industry. The first coal community that was created in Alberta was called Coalbanks (modern day Lethbridge). This community was created in 1882 with the help of Sir Alexander Galt and Charles A. Magrath. Other communities that were built due to coal mining that are still in existence today are Canmore, Drumheller, Blairmore, Coleman, Bellevue, Hinton, Grande Cache, Hanna, Robb, Cadomin, Nordegg, Forestburg, Lundbreck and Ryley.