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News Releases
THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA RECOGNIZES THE NATIONAL HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF ATLAS No. 3 COAL MINE
EAST COULEE, ALBERTA, MAY 18, 2005 -- The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment, today announced the formal commemoration of Atlas No. 3 Coal Mine as a national historic site of Canada.
“Atlas No. 3 Coal Mine is a nationally significant part of Canada’s coal mining history,” said Minister Dion. “Atlas played an influential role in the history of the Drumheller Valley coal industry as the most productive plains coal field in Alberta and south eastern British Columbia from the First World War to the 1950s. Through today’s commemoration, the importance of this unique place in Canada’s past will be remembered for generations to come.”
As part of the commemoration, a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque describing the mine’s historic significance was unveiled. It will be permanently placed at the mine to help Canadians better appreciate and understand the site’s importance.
Today, the site is an exceptionably well-preserved example of the independently owned Drumheller Valley coal mines. The valley’s geography allowed most mine entrances to be cut directly into the exposed coal seam on the side of the hill. Atlas No. 3 Coal Mine’s entrance and most of the surface structures are still visible, together with the associated railway bridge. The tipple is the best surviving illustration of the coal preparation facilities that were common in the industry’s plains branch during the first half of the 20th century. The site illustrates how entrepreneurs and labourers united to shape the coal industry on the prairies.
In this year of Alberta’s centennial, Parks Canada is celebrating the national historic significance of the Atlas No. 3 Coal Mine and welcomes its formal commemoration as a member of Canada’s family of national historic sites.
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment about the national historic significance of places, persons and events that have marked Canada’s history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of their historic value. It is one means of educating the public about the richness of our cultural heritage, which must be preserved for present and future generations.
Information:
Brigitte Caron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Marjorie Huculak
Executive Services and Media Relations Manager
Banff Field Unit
Parks Canada
(403) 762-1526
“Atlas No. 3 Coal Mine is a nationally significant part of Canada’s coal mining history,” said Minister Dion. “Atlas played an influential role in the history of the Drumheller Valley coal industry as the most productive plains coal field in Alberta and south eastern British Columbia from the First World War to the 1950s. Through today’s commemoration, the importance of this unique place in Canada’s past will be remembered for generations to come.”
As part of the commemoration, a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque describing the mine’s historic significance was unveiled. It will be permanently placed at the mine to help Canadians better appreciate and understand the site’s importance.
Today, the site is an exceptionably well-preserved example of the independently owned Drumheller Valley coal mines. The valley’s geography allowed most mine entrances to be cut directly into the exposed coal seam on the side of the hill. Atlas No. 3 Coal Mine’s entrance and most of the surface structures are still visible, together with the associated railway bridge. The tipple is the best surviving illustration of the coal preparation facilities that were common in the industry’s plains branch during the first half of the 20th century. The site illustrates how entrepreneurs and labourers united to shape the coal industry on the prairies.
In this year of Alberta’s centennial, Parks Canada is celebrating the national historic significance of the Atlas No. 3 Coal Mine and welcomes its formal commemoration as a member of Canada’s family of national historic sites.
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment about the national historic significance of places, persons and events that have marked Canada’s history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of their historic value. It is one means of educating the public about the richness of our cultural heritage, which must be preserved for present and future generations.
Information:
Brigitte Caron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Marjorie Huculak
Executive Services and Media Relations Manager
Banff Field Unit
Parks Canada
(403) 762-1526
