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Technology and Transportation In the late 1800’s and early 1900's, people did not have access to the technology that we take for granted today. Motorized transportation such as automobiles did not exist, so it made sense for a person to live close to his place of work. The Elk Valley is a region of incomparable beauty, with magnificent mountains, swift flowing rivers and densely treed forests. Although this rugged terrain can be very impressive, it created hazardous barriers for early settlers and travelers. The lack of transportation and harsh climate (especially in the winter), isolated many communities and forced miners and their families to live close to the mines. Communities that provide evidence of this pattern are Coal Creek, Hosmer, Morrissey and Michel. These communities were all developed near mine sites in order to avoid lengthy travel to and from work by horse or by foot across hazardous terrain. Unfavorable weather could prevent men from traveling any distance to work for days if not weeks at a time.
Another important factor that influenced where people settled was the coal companies themselves. These companies provided poor-yet-convenient company housing. The housing, while not preferred, was an economical choice for many employees. Company housing was close to the mines where the men worked and was more economical for most of the workers than trying to purchase a piece of property and build a new home. Economy and convenience led many workers, especially new-comers with limited savings to utilize the housing provided. The Hosmer mine and town site were both owned and operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway(CPR). When the CPR opened the Hosmer mine, they built a town site nearby which would house up to sixty miners. The houses were arranged in rows and were all built with the same design. Although they were said to be supplied with running water and electricity, this meant no more than one spigot to five or six houses and one twenty-five watt light bulb that hung from the ceiling in each household. These company houses were by no means luxurious or even pleasant, but they could be rented for as low as $7 per month and were very convenient.1
One hundred years ago the idea of living next to an industrial centre did not even raise an eyebrow with workers who were not aware of the health hazards involved. The dust created by mining coal was looked upon as dirty but not hazardous. Pollution and contamination of the surrounding environment was not seen as dangerous or unhealthy, and the constant noise of machinery, trains and whistles was considered to be a part of everyday life. In comparison to today, people were relatively indifferent to pollution and it's related health concerns. The Coal Creek townsite was built simply for convenience. It was an ugly, dirty town that was constantly covered with layers of coal dust from the nearby mine and rarely received any sunlight in the winter season. It was however within walking distance of the mine site, a feature that, at the time was a great incentive for people to reside there.2
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Introduction | Elk Valley | The Kootenay Smelter | The Missing Link | Heat and Electricity | Pacific Steamships | The Strikebreakers on Vancouver Island
© MM Fernie & District Historical Society.
