Time-travel this magnificent area of Nordegg, Alberta, Canada, as you view the following web-site pages. Visit the old Ghost Town of Nordegg and the impressive minesite buildings of the Brazeau Collieries Museum. Read about their history.
See the site photos that depict the outstanding beauty of this relatively unknown area, the wild flowers and the creatures that share this beautiful wilderness. Find photo locations on the detailed map link.
Nordegg is one hour east of Saskatchewan Crossing, and one hour west of Rocky Mountain House, on Highway 11, the David Thompson Highway.
The Nordegg Historical Society operates the Nordegg Heritage Centre and the Brazeau Collieries Industrial Museum, which are situated in the Shunda Valley, west of Rocky Mountain House, along the David Thompson Highway of Big West Country. The Shunda Valley, and the entire Upper North Saskatchewan River Corridor, have a long history of native occupation, archaeologically estimated at close to 10,000 years. Nestled in this ancient Valley, the settlement of Nordegg, Alberta, support centre for the Brazeau Collieries coal operation, was a development of early 20th century. In many ways, this country remains unchanged from days gone by, retaining much of its pioneer characteristics, its wildlife, its well-stocked streams and lakes, numerous horse and foot trails, and its natural beauty.
Painting by Johnny Janigo
Nordegg's Brazeau Collieries, which was a joint venture of Mackenzie and Mann,
of the Canadian Northern Railway, and of the German Development
Company, represented by Martin Nordegg, was created in August,
1909. Coal holdings were amalgamated in order to create a coal
mining empire to funnel coal onto the Canadian prairies. This
'empire' had 60 square miles (155 square kilometers) of coal claims
along the eastern slopes of the Rockies, stretching from present
day Grand Cache, to Mount Allan in Kananaskis Country. Most of
the coal was located near the Brazeau Rivers, for which the Company
was named. The town of Nordegg was to be headquarters for this
coal empire. However, only Nordegg and Kananaskis (Mount Allan)
were developed.
With World War I (1914-1918),
German assets were frozen, and Martin Nordegg was asked to leave
Canada. However, some German Development Company investors were
Canadian, and the Canadian Northern Railway was an equal partner
in Brazeau 
Collieries, so mining
operations continued. In 1923, Brazeau had the highest coal production
of all Alberta coal mines. In 1937, Brazeau Collieries began making
coal briquettes, to be used for domestic and railway fuel. By
the late 1940s, Brazeau Collieries was Canada's largest briquetting
source, and North America's second largest.
photo by Arthur (Mac) McMullen
photo by Geno Poscente
The briquette processing plant was destroyed
by fire in June 1950, and a new, state-of-the-art, all-metal processing
plant was constructed, with the most modern technology of the
time.
However, oil became the fuel of
choice and, by June, 1955, the Brazeau Collieries had ceased operation.
The Brazeau
Collieries minesite, with
the majority of the processing plant buildings still standing
and machinery still in place, became an Alberta Historic Resource in 1993. On February 21, 2002, it also
was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.
This impressive industrial museum
is well appreciated by the numerous visitors who take the Nordegg Historical Society's
Minesite Museum tours.
The Nordegg Heritage Centre and Brazeau Collieries
Industrial Minesite Museum
is
a seasonal operation
(mid-May until late September/early October) open seven days a
week from 9 am to 5 pm. (For an up-date on changes of operating
times and/or dates, please contact the Nordegg Heritage Centre at (403) 721-
COAL (2625) or Head Office at (403) 845-4444.) The Centre is the start-point for tours
of the Industrial
Museum Minesite Tours. It also houses
a small Museum
and Photo Archives, the
area's Tourist
Information Centre, the
Coalminer's
Cafe, and the Coliseum Gift Shop.
(click on photo for enlarged version)
Minesite tours of the Industrial Museum depart from the Nordegg Heritage Centre every day. The Technical Tour takes visitors to the mine portals (but not underground) and through the briquette processing plant buildings, while explaining the technical aspects of the operation. The shorter Overview Tour follows the same route as the Technical Tour but does not take visitors through the briquette processing plant buildings. Some technical information is given, as well as historical information on social aspects of the industry and community.
For information
on ticket prices and departure times,
email or
phone the Nordegg Heritage Centre (403-721-2625)
photo by Anne (McMullen) Belliveau
OFF-SEASON: During
the Nordegg Heritage Centre's off-season, future bookings can
be made and further information supplied, by contacting the address
below. Also, seasonal
group tours and/or special needs/interests
tours can be pre-arranged
through the Nordegg Historical Society Head Office
.
For Off-Season ordering of any Nordegg items:
Phone Debora, at (403) 845-4444, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. (Mountain Time), or write to: Nordegg Historical Society Head Office, Box 550, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada, T4T 1A4, or send email to the Nordegg Historical Society
last updated - November 29, 2007
The 52nd Annual Nordegg Reunion was held in Red Deer, in early October. Below is a photo of the five eldest women present at this reunion. The ages range from 83 years to 95 years.
We are pleased to welcome two new individuals to the Nordegg Historical Society Board of Directors and the Executive:
Deborah Cardinal will take the position of Nordegg Representative sitting on the Board of Directors of the Historical Society. This position has been vacant since Ray Borley left Nordegg, and resigned as Representative, over two years ago. Welcome Debbie.
Phyllis Forsyth has become the new Administrative Assistant for the Society, taking the place of Deborah Richardson, who now has left the Rocky Mountain House area. Phyllis resides in Nordegg, and has a good grasp on Society activities. Welcome Phyllis.
Rest in Peace
Each year we lose more of the Nordegg Old Timers. Among those who recently have passed on are Adealde Cariomi, Silvano Perizzolo, Trisha (Mele) Phelps, Edna (Jones) Hemrick, Laura (Iannucci) Sullivan, Una Otto, Winnie (Morris) Luykfassel, Pete Raffin, Marg (Hunter) Bussard, Geno Poscente, Pete Bifano, Lenny Colosimo, Bill Kizan, Jean (Mrs. Russ) Kostynuk, Mona (Darbyshire) Leitch, Margaret (Reta Armstrong) Schultz, Eleanor Pickup, Jack Pascoe, Tom Pascoe, Ralph Mason, Dorothy (China) Milobar, Josephine Gejdos, Lawrence Marshall, Collin Marshall, Donald Luyckfassel, Nick Riccuti, Jim Riccuti, Wes Veenstra, Henry Veenstra, Adolph Luyckfassel, Dennis Morley, John Milobar.
FIRE
Nordegg area is no stranger to fires. Thick forestation and dense undergrowth, often complicated by fallen timber, has been a characteristic of the wetlands of the Upper North Saskatchewan River Corridor. From 1880 to 1885, huge fires swept through the area, clearing out much of the western forests. When Nordegg was developed (1914), the land was much more open than today. However, forest fires continued to occur. One of the most impressive was the 1919 EastBush fire ... that same Eastbush Mountain, which began threatening Nordegg again in 2006, has threatened Nordegg town before.
According to local folklore, the 1919 fire began at Brazeau Collieries' EastBush Timber Camp ... that's where the mountain got its name. This Camp supplied timbers for the Mines, and it was about one-third of the way up EastBush mountain.
But the most threatening
fire to Nordegg, coming closest to the town itself, is the July
2006 EastBush fire. This fire started from a lightning strike,
just over the mountain.. Fire-fighting was swift and effective.
But there's heavy underbrush throughout and, on July 4, smoke
again began curling upward, increased rapidly in quantity. Soon
flames could be seen along the mountain ridge.
The winds, although not overly strong, became a force that fed
the fire. Burning residue continually set new areas ablaze, as
the fire moved relentlessly northward along, and then down, the
ridge of the mountain. As new areas began to burn, they followed
fire's natural path upward, joining the main body of the blaze.
Three helicopters bucketed continually, drawing water from the
old Nordegg Reservoir. Then a subtle shift in the wind pushed
the flames northwest where, constantly leaping downward, then
soaring back up the mountain to join the larger fire, the massive
blaze burned closer and closer to the settlement of Nordegg. The
estimation was that fire advanced to within 1000 meters of Old
Town.
All of Nordegg
was evacuated. Fortunately, as happened 87 years before, the wind
again shifted direction. Flames and smoke began to drift eastward,
away f
rom the town. Although
it took a very long time to consider it 'out', life soon returned
to normal. And EastBush Mountain now has another "Burnt Patch.
Fire reached to within 1000 meters of Old Nordegg ...............
Above: The 1880-85
growth is far top-right, 1919 burn goes east-west on mid-mountain,
At the Nordegg Heritage
Centre Tourist Desk you can pick up a 
map
of the area, brochures on local attractions and happenings, and
a brochure to help you take a self-guided driving or walking tour
of the old Ghost Town of Nordegg (MINESITE NOT INCLUDED).
The map in the brochure will help show you where you are, in relation
to the old town.
And pick up a brochure to whet your
appetite for a tour of the old Brazeau Collieries Minesite. This
is a true trip into the past, departing the Heritage Centre once
each day (twice a day during July & August). See the machinery
used in the coal processing procedure, when coal was turned into
briquettes. Look into the mine opening where men once travelled
into the darkness of the underground, and feel the difference
in the air temperature. (Tours do not go into the underground
mine). Step back into History!
Please Note:
-A copy of the Family History Book, Days After Yesterday, is available for reference purposes at the Tourist Desk of the Nordegg Heritage Centre during the tourist season. It is hoped this will assist those individuals who visit The Centre in search of family history.
While visiting the Heritage Centre, be sure to make a visit to our Museum (no charge: donations appreciated). Read about, & view photos of, the lively past of Nordegg and area. Housing lists are posted for the years of the early 1920s and for 1953. These are the only complete housing lists presently available for tracing family who once lived in Nordegg.
And the Miners Cafe provides light lunches and freshly baked goods.
We are sorry to report that Dennis Morley, fervent
supporter of anything related to Nordegg, and long-time mainstay
behind the tourist desk of the Nordegg Heritage Center, passed
away in February, 2006, at the age of 81. He will be misse
In other news, Nordegg Old Timer, Mario Marasco, was named the CTV Athlete of the Week on March 24, 2006. This was in honour of Mario's active participation in hockey practices, games, and tournaments. He has a large collection of trophies, watches, and certificates presented to him for his ability on the ice. Mario is 84 years old.
The year, 2006, was very busy, as well as costly, for the Nordegg Historical Society.
As a result, the year, 2007, will see only minor work projects of repair and maintenance, in order to build up sufficient funding to continue further restoration of the Brazeau Collieries Minesite Industrial Museum in future years.
2006: After two years in the planning stages, the Nordegg Heritage Center now has a large mural painted on the north wall, facing the entrance road to the hamlet of Nordegg. This represents Old Nordegg's Main Street prior to the 1940s. Other representative items along the bottom of the mural represent a wide range of Nordegg-based structures and activities, ranging from Martin Nordegg's riding into the area in 1911, to the 'Man-Car' form of transportation which took the miners underground.
Also, in 2006, the remaining interpretive signs have been placed throughout the lower minesite, (photos coming) thus completing a Nordegg Historical Society project which was begun in 2000. (See explanation of signs in the 2005 projects, below.)
Also new this year: a study guide, available (click below) for printing, is available for groups planning on touring the National Historic Site of Canada, Brazeau Collieries Minesite Industrial Museum:
The Plaque Unveiling & Dedication for the National Historic Site at Nordegg took place during the afternoon of July 29th - the beginning of the 2005 Heritage Day long weekend.
This ceremony was in honour of Nordegg & Brazeau Collieries, & the vital contribution of the coal industry in the history & development of Canada. The dedication ceremony also honoured the men and women who built Nordegg, and developed it into a dynamic force during the first half of the 20th century ... those people now known as Nordegg's 'Old Timers".
Shown above at the plaque unveiling are: an RCMP Honour Guard; Jillian Roulet, representing Parks Canada; Anne (McMullen) Belliveau, representing the Nordegg Historical Society; Dr. Rod Macleod, Alberta Representative of the Historic Sites & Monuments Board of Canada; Dwight Oliver, Reeve of Clearwater County; a "Miners' Honour Guard" consisting of five representatives of Brazeau Collieries Old Timers who had worked at the mine in Nordegg - Dennis Morley, Zupido D'Amico (Mining Engineer who closed the operation in 1955), Guido D'Amico, Tony Mele, & John Janigo; the Honorable Ty Lund, Government Services Minister & MLA for Rocky Mountain House.
A small park has been created at the entrance to the mine site, where this plaque will be placed on display. This plaque indicates the vital part played by Nordegg (Brazeau Collieries), & all Alberta coal mines, in the development of Canada as a nation. The mine site, open for tours throughout the summer, will continue to be a reminder of the dedication of the early pioneers, both men & women, who did their work with pride & integrity and, in the process, helped make Canada what it is today
more from 2005
One half of the large interpretive signs now are in place throughout the minesite.
There will be twenty five interpretive signs in all, erected at designated locations at the Brazeau Collieries minesite, thus adding another dimension to visitor tours. These signs contain text and historical photos, which illustrate the nearby locations, as they appeared during the years of mine operation.
The large signs are 24 x 30 inches in size, fully coloured, and done in a clear powder-coat finish, tilted at an appropriate angle for easy viewing. The are designed to resist water staining, and fading from exposure to ultra-violet light. They will be attached to a solid metal frame stand which is cemented into the ground. A 6 x 20 inch name plate is available below the sign for a dedication name or for a sponsor. These signs are available for sponsorship by either commercial interests or by families who wish to have their name, or that of an ancestor, displayed in conjunction with a specific sign. It's a great way to honour those who spent their lives working in this area.
For more information, email the Nordegg Historical Society, or phone (403) 845-4444.
Stabilization was done on the Bank of Commerce building in Old Town, and on the Pumpman's House and the Water Tower.
At the minesite:
-there was repair to the Primary Crusher Footings;
-stabilization of the old Number 6 Briquette Plant which, at the time of the 1950 surface fire, was under construction, and never was completed;
-bird screening on the windows of the load out conveyors;
-repairs to Number 3 Hoist House;
and the major area of work ........................
-Number 2 Mine Portal: rehabilitation of the concrete face, structural repairs, construction of a retaining concrete structure, rebuilding of deteriorated timber framing members, repairs and relaying of rail track line.
2003: Due to a sharp decrease in available funds, there was no restoration work done at the mine site this year. However, work was done on the foundation of the Nordegg Heritage Centre building, as well as on the building's windows. Also, a drainage system, to remove excess water, was set into the restored Miners Graveyard.
We are very pleased to announce that the Nordegg Historical Society, which administers the Nordegg Heritage Centre and the Brazeau Collieries Minesite Industrial Museum, was selected as the recipient of Museums Alberta's 2003 Conservation Award
Nordegg Reperesentatives, L. to R.: Tom Clark, Anne Belliveau, Ray Borley.
Nordegg Historical Society
Chairman, Tom Clark, accepted the Award on behalf of the Society.
This award was presented to the Nordegg Historical Society on October 25, 2004, during the banquet and presentations portion of the Museums Alberta Annual Conference, held this year in Lethbridge.
2002: In 2002, much of the restoration work was concentrated in the central area of the minesite. This involved the Scale (weigh) House, the Confiscate Shed, the Rotary Dump, and the Creepers (that hooked onto the string of mine cars going to and from the Rotary Dump).
The Number 2 Mine entrance
in the central minesite area also was recreated during the summer's
restoration work. Although no entrance still exists at this location,
this recreation allows visitors to get a better idea of where
it was located (when the original entrances were abandoned), and
of how the Hoist House operated, in relation to the mine entrance.
Number 2 mine entrance circa 1940s
Number 2 mine entrance; 2002 re-creation
2002: Work also was undertaken to repair and restore the Miners Graveyard, set aside for the men who died in the 1941 underground explosion. This graveyard is just south of the Heritage Centre.
Some of the recent restoration work done at the Nordegg minesite:
..................
The duplex at the minesite, which was Nordegg's first Police Quarters and the jail, shown (above-left) prior to restoration in 2001, and shown again (above-right) with its "new look".
One of the two "Vancouver Houses", prefab buildings shipped to Nordegg in 1942, when housing was at a premium was also restored in 2001. These two houses had been on the Lower Flats, near the Heritage Centre (once the Nordegg School) and, in 1999, they were relocated to the minesite in order to help preserve and protect them.
We are fortunate that, once again, the Nordegg Historical Society is able to offer for sale the outstanding and well known print, "Nordegg 1957", by Nordegg artist Serena (D'Amico) Duncan. These prints now are available through the Nordegg Heritage Centre & the Coliseum Gift Shop.
Also available through the Historical Society:
Nordegg items can be purchased by contacting the Nordegg Historical Society Head Office in Rocky Mountain House. These include various books, videos, CDs related to Nordegg and area. See information (both above and below).
Contact the Nordegg Historical Society to purchase any of the items.
The Nordegg Story, told in video format: Vision in the Valley. This video traces Martin Nordegg from Germany to Canada, and then to Alberta. It follows the building of the Brazeau Collieries coal mine operation,and the development of the town, also called Nordegg. This video is available in both NTSC (North America) and PAL (Europe) formats.
The Nordegg video segment of the Ghost Towns of Canada series which, this year, has been running on the History Channel, now is available for purchase
-Also available is the video, Nordegg Sports Day - 1947-48. This illustrates many of the traditional activities, including the Cowboy Race, Pillow Fights, Teepee Raising Race, Tug-of-War, and much much more, all set to a musical soundtrack.
-Dave Campbell, who now lives in Edmonton, has recorded two CDs in his basement studio. These CDs contain music played by one of the Nordegg bands that produced the music for Saturday night dances in the Empress Theatre/Dance Hall. Dave was a member of one such band of Old Mining Town Nordegg and, in this nostalgic trip down "memory lane", Dave takes the listener back to those days gone by.
-The most recently available book, When Coal Was King, tells the story of the Brazeau Collieries mining complex from 1911 to 1955. There are a large number of photographs, maps, and diagrams to illustrate the information.
The following books also are still available for purchase:
Small Moments in Time: the story of Alberta's Big West Country. (From the distant past to present day - the North Saskatchewan River Corridor, the Shunda Basin, Brazeau Collieries, and Nordegg); by Anne (McMullen) Belliveau
Martin Nordegg: the Uncommon Immigrant. The story of Martin Nordegg, his life, his adventures, and his family; by W. John Koch.
To the Town that Bears Your Name. The story of the travels of Martin Nordegg & his daughter, Marcelle, west from Rocky Mountain House to Lake Louise by horseback. This included a visit to the new mining area which later would be called Nordegg; translated from German by Maria Koch. Also available in German - (temporarily out of stock)
Daves Tunes & More Tunes:
Two CDs of the type of music played for Nordegg's Saturday night dances.
Recorded by Dave Campbell, a member of one of Nordegg's dance bands.
A wealth of information on the Canadian Rockies, including a Chronology chart of European discovery Specific Information on Coliseum Mountain, north of Nordegg Specific Information on Shunda (Baldy) Mountain, north of Nordegg Information on all the Common Plants, Animals, Birds, and Landforms of the Rockies. Youth and Heritage Learning Source: CARMN Museums
Ghost Towns of North America, Including Nordegg. (International Site) Ghost Towns of Alberta - Nordegg (Canadian Site) Calgary Association of Paranormal Investigators visit Nordegg Photos from the CAPI Visit When the results of the CAPI visit of 2007 are available, they will be linked through here. ........................ Paranormal Explorers in Nordegg Sasquatch Country? David Thompson's Report: Sasquatch?? Ghost Towns of Alberta - Brazeau Collieries' Kananaskis coalfield at Ribbon Creek & Mount Allan Ghost Towns-Ozada-processing plant for Nordegg's Kananaskis mines, on Stoney First Nation Morley Reserve
Clearwater County, Including Further Information on the Re-development of Nordegg Rocky Mountain House - Gateway to the West Country Information and Research Site: Canadian Historic and Cultural Resources Canadian Historic Preservation Directory Historical Society of Alberta
Help With Your Genealogical Search: The Website of the Alberta Family History Society has a Wealth of Information for Those Searching for Their Roots. Photos of Nordegg's gravestones, located in the main mining town cemetery, for family research of ancestral sites and records
David Thompson, and more __ with information on the recently published BOOK, Where the River Brought Them.
CAMPING: Nordegg Camping - Camp 'n' Fun Accommodations, Amenities, and Activities Nordegg Lodge, Restaurant, Lounge, Gas Station, and Convenience Store Award Winning Aurum Lodge-Alberta's Unique Eco-tourism Country Inn Goldeye Conference and Convention Center, on Goldeye Lake Frontier Lodge, on Fish Lake: a Christian wilderness base-camp for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing activities Centre for Outdoor Education: multi-use, multi-activity programs for education and adventure David Thompson Resort, & Camping, with all amenities; 25 minutes west of Nordegg Modern, self-contained, and well-equipped, Cheechako Cabins, just north of Nordegg Shunda Creek Hostel - a four seasons destination, just north of Nordegg The 6 day 5 night backpacker Rocky Express Tour of the Rockies, Including Nordegg; The Economical Way to Travel An Economical Shuttle Service, RMDTravel, now is Available from/to Vancouver, as well as at other locations. It can hook you up with your Rocky Express Tour. Rent a travel trailer, set up for you at your choice of campsite within the Nordegg region Baldy Mountain Trail Rides: based in Nordegg. Trail Rides to Eastbush Falls, through Brazeau Collieries Minesite, & around Nordegg Ghost Town McKenzie's Trails West - trail rides, pack trips, bbqs - outdoor fun located 25 minutes west of Nordegg Wild Horse Mountain Outfitters - for retreats, trail rides, & a place to get away. Rent a tent or teepee. Helicopter Adventures - heli-biking, hiking, skiing, fishing, sight-seeing - with Ahlstrom Helicopters, based just east of Nordegg Helicopter Tours of Lake Abraham, alpine meadows, and more, with Icefield Helicopters
-The Cowboy Trail wanders between the high peaks of the Rockies & the Alberta prairie. -The Cowboy Trail will lead you to Nordegg, & the well established museums that interpret this area's past
-Alberta Wilderness, looking after wild Alberta through awareness & action Bruce Haack - international musician from Nordegg/Rocky area Walking Eagle/Morley Beaver of the Wesley Stoney Tribe - (download song by Bruce Haack)
Trip Planners with a difference: From Red Deer, west to the Icefields Parkway. A mile by mile log, links, & photos along the David Thompson Highway
