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Backgrounder
Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada The Birthplace of Canada's National Park System
“Like some fantastic dream from a tale of the Arabian Nights.” That is how William McCardell described the mist-filled cave when he, his brother Tom, and their partner Frank McCabe first saw it in the fall of 1883.
Although they were not the first to discover the Cave and Basin Hot Springs, these three railway workers can lay claim to bringing the springs to public attention. By following their dreams of fame and fortune, they also helped launch Canada's national parks system.
In the early 1880s, Canada's first national park was still an idea, whose chief supporters were the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Government of Canada. Both saw the potential for tourist traffic, the advantages of western settlement, and the prestige that a national park would bestow on a young country.
Recognizing an ideal location and opportunity, the Government of Canada declared that the springs would belong to all Canadians – as part of Canada's first national park.
For thousands of years, First Nations people told the story of the healing power of the bubbling, warm water that flows from the base of Sulphur Mountain and still regard the Cave and Basin as a sacred place – a place of wellness, spirituality and celebration.
The Cave and Basin operates year round as a national historic site, an interpretive centre and hub for the busy Sundance Trail system and Marsh Loop boardwalks.
The revitalized site offers a new historical and cultural adventure for Canadians and visitors from around the world. The attraction showcases an array of enhanced activities with interpretive displays, an open plaza with forecourt water feature that visitors can touch, and state-of-the-art new media, including 4-screen, high-definition video, interactive touch-screens and video booth. The site also includes major conservation work on the historic buildings and habitat restoration for the endangered Banff Springs Snail.
As the gateway to Parks Canada’s extended system of national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas, the Cave and Basin will feature best-of programming and interpretation from visiting Parks Canada sites from across the country.
Total cost for the project was $13.8 million (Budget 2005).
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Although they were not the first to discover the Cave and Basin Hot Springs, these three railway workers can lay claim to bringing the springs to public attention. By following their dreams of fame and fortune, they also helped launch Canada's national parks system.
In the early 1880s, Canada's first national park was still an idea, whose chief supporters were the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Government of Canada. Both saw the potential for tourist traffic, the advantages of western settlement, and the prestige that a national park would bestow on a young country.
Recognizing an ideal location and opportunity, the Government of Canada declared that the springs would belong to all Canadians – as part of Canada's first national park.
For thousands of years, First Nations people told the story of the healing power of the bubbling, warm water that flows from the base of Sulphur Mountain and still regard the Cave and Basin as a sacred place – a place of wellness, spirituality and celebration.
The Cave and Basin operates year round as a national historic site, an interpretive centre and hub for the busy Sundance Trail system and Marsh Loop boardwalks.
The revitalized site offers a new historical and cultural adventure for Canadians and visitors from around the world. The attraction showcases an array of enhanced activities with interpretive displays, an open plaza with forecourt water feature that visitors can touch, and state-of-the-art new media, including 4-screen, high-definition video, interactive touch-screens and video booth. The site also includes major conservation work on the historic buildings and habitat restoration for the endangered Banff Springs Snail.
As the gateway to Parks Canada’s extended system of national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas, the Cave and Basin will feature best-of programming and interpretation from visiting Parks Canada sites from across the country.
Total cost for the project was $13.8 million (Budget 2005).
News Release associated with this Backgrounder.
