Introduction

Explorers & Prospectors
   William Fernie
   Michael Phillipps
   Peter Fernie
   Colonel James Baker

Discovery of Coal &
the Crowsnest Pass

Formation of the Coal Company & Railroad

Coal Company Investors
   George Cox
   Robert Jaffray
   Henry Pellatt

Tom Uphill

Michael Phillipps

Micheal Phillipps Backtracking with FDHS

Michael Phillipps was born in England in 1842. At the age of nineteen he sailed to Vancouver Island where he immediately began work for the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC).

After a few months of orientation, the HBC sent Phillipps to Fort Kootenai in 1862, a post the Company maintained just south of the forty-ninth parallel in Oregon Territory. From here, he spent many of his off-seasons exploring the Kootenay valley and prospecting for gold.

In 1865 Phillipps purchased 320 acres of land on the Tobacco Plains, just north of the international boundary. He also was the first person to operate a Customs House at Roosville. In 1866 he married the daughter of Tobacco Plains Chief David. As the son-in-law of the Chief, Phillipps was the logical choice as interpreter between the Tobacco Plains Ktunaxa and Indian Affairs. Phillipps also served as the region’s postmaster until 1870.

In 1869 he quit working for the HBC but remained in the Kootenays to prospect and trap, while doing occasional work for the provincial government.

Discovering the Crowsnest Pass
It was in 1873 that Phillipps acquired his greatest fame when he discovered the Crowsnest Pass. The discovery of the Pass at that time was of great importance: it would become the route linking the Elk Valley to industries and population centers to the east.

His Later Years

Michael Phillipps' cabin near Roosville Backtracking with FDHS p. 114

On July 1st, 1887 Phillipps was appointed resident Indian Agent at Tobacco Plains and conducted a census of the Ktunaxa and their stock. During that same year he was appointed Justice of the Peace at local judicial proceedings.

Throughout the years Phillipps developed his Tobacco Plains ranch to sell produce to local stores and mining camps in the Elk

Michael Phillips' ranch at Grasmere BCARS - NA-41792 (cropped)

Valley. He also sold potatoes he grew to the Northwest Mounted Police division at Galbraith’s Ferry. Later the ranch became too much for Phillipps to maintain. In 1906 he sold the property and he and his wife moved to Grasmere, where he resided until his death in 1916.

Michael Phillipps has several geographical features named in his honour, including Phillipps Pass, Phillipps Canyon, Phillipps Lake and Phillipps Creek.

William Fernie		Peter Fernie