Leitch Collieries
Leitch Collieries was one of the largest and most ambitious coal mines
in the early history of the Crowsnest Pass. Established in 1907, it
was the only coal company in the Pass completely Canadian owned and
operated. Its first entry into coal seams occurred at Byron Creek,
south of the present site. The No. 2 mine was started in 1909, 1km
northwest of the area known as Police Flats.
Map of Alberta with Site Locations
The town of Passburg, 1 km west of the site, was built as a bedroom community for Leitch Collieries miners and their families. When the mine ceased operations, the town’s buildings were eventually moved to other communities in the Crowsnest Pass.
The mine owners built an impressive row of 101 coke ovens, a 27 metre
(90 foot) wooden washery, a huge tipple with a daily capacity of between
1000 and 2000 tons of coal and a large sandstone powerhouse, completed
in 1910, which supplied electricity to the mine and the town of Passburg.
A sandstone quarry completed in 1910, was located at the eastern edge of the site and provided materials for the construction of the powerhouse and the mine manager’s residence. A machine shop and locomotive repair shop were also located in the powerhouse. The mine was heavily mortgaged to cover the costs associated with this massive development.
In 1909 and 1911, despite the serious effects of strikes, construction continued using non-union labour. Financial setbacks occurred as coal markets went "soft", and contracts with England, the Balkan states and the United States never materialized. Relations with the Canadian Pacific Railroad, an important customer, also became strained. The company's bank loans were called in and coal production ceased in 1915. By 1926, ownership of most of the property not already sold to adjoining collieries was assumed by the Canadian Imperial Bank.
Today visitors can enjoy the picturesque ruins of the powerhouse, mine manager’s residence, coke ovens, washery and tipple.
Located off Highway #3 in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass
Contact Information:
c/o Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
Box 959, Blairmore
Crowsnest Pass, AB
T0K 0EO
Phone (403) 562 7388
Fax (403) 562 8635
Seasonal phone May to September (403) 564-4211
Email: info@frankslide.com
Hours of operation: May 15 to Labour Day, 10:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m., with staff and washrooms available for public use; remainder
of year and after hours site is self-guided and washrooms are closed.
Admission: by donation.
Education Programs: Available if requested in advance of the visit.
