King Coal: Elk Valley

Introduction

Early Mining Communities

Why Some Communities Declined

Hosmer

Technology and Location

Michel-Natal

Why Others Have Endured

Fernie: The Centre of the East Kootenays

Business

Fernie soon became a major business centre. In addition to the many local businesses, there were a handful of large department and chain stores run by sharp and wealthy businessmen.

By 1909, Fernie was home to 8 wholesale houses, a macaroni factory, a brick factory and a lumber mill. The town also had 4 chartered banks, 5 churches, and 11 hotels.

Fernie’s commercial diversity provided employment in areas other than simply mining, and the community was supported by more than just the coal miners who resided there.¹³

"Victoria Avenue, Fernie, 1907"
Courtesy of FDHS

The Trites-Wood department store is an excellent example of Fernie's commercial diversity. Established in Fernie during its early years, it grew to include locations in Coal Creek, Carbonado and Michel.

With other stores located in nearby communities, the Trites-Woods Co. was not entirely dependent on the coal miners of Fernie. Its central store in Fernie reached the point where it was large enough to employ up to 73 regular staff members.^14,15

"Trites-Woods Co., Fernie, 1907"
Courtesy of FDHS

Another example of commercial diversity is the Fort Steele Brewery, renowned across North America for its first class beer. It was said to be one of the largest and most modern brewing plants in the province - producing up to one thousand barrels of beer per month.

The Brewery later expanded to include a bottling plant for all kinds of aerated waters. The Fort Steele Brewery was not only supported by Fernie citizens but by residents from nearby communities and tourists from all over western Canada and the northern United States.^16,17

As Fernie was an economic centre in the East Kootenays; restaurants, hotels and businesses thrived off of more than just coal miners and the residents of the town. With travelers, businessmen and tourists passing through, a great deal of money was being circulated into the community from outside of the Elk Valley.