Important People
Elk Valley’s First Developers
Each of these men contributed significantly to the discovery and development
of coalfields in the Elk Valley. The center of this development was the
new town of Fernie.
William Fernie
was the prime character the creation of Fernie and its first Land Commissioner.
Michael Phillipps
discovered the Crowsnest Pass and promoted the construction of a trail
through the Elk Valley to the Crowsnest Pass.
Peter Fernie
aided Michael Phillipps in developing the first trail through the Crowsnest
Pass.
James Baker was
the founder of Cranbrook and the prime lobbyist for a railway into the
Elk Valley.
Discovery of the Crowsnest
Pass
Formation of the Coal
Company & Railroad
Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company
Investors
Without the support of investors the Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company
would have only existed on paper. The start of the mine was well known
throughout Canada not only because of the extensive size of the coalfields
but primarily because of it’s three major Canadian investors.
George Cox
was a Senator, as well as President, director, or founder of more than
40 businesses in Toronto including CCM Bikes.
Robert Jaffray
was the President of the Toronto Globe Newspaper.
Henry Pellatt
was a Toronto business tycoon who amassed a fortune of $17 million on
the stock market.
Tom Uphill was a long-time
Fernie citizen, politician and businessman
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William
Fernie