Introduction

Early Mining Communities

• Technology and Transportation
• Coal Companies
• Health & Environment

Why Some Communities Declined

Hosmer

Technology and Location

• Michel-Natal

Why Others Have Endured

Fernie: The Centre of the East Kootenays

• Administration
• Business
• Technology in the Form of Transportation

Technology and Location

As we move further along in the 1900's we can see another trend contributing to the decline of mining communities such as Hosmer and Morrissey. This trend was a direct result of changes in technology. With the increased availability of the automobile in the second half of the twentieth century, people were no longer obliged to live near the mines. Employees now had the option of residing in larger centres with more amenities and commuting to and from work. Many people preferred this option to living in the dusty dirty towns located next to mine sites. During this time people were also becoming aware of the health hazards created by mines and as a result many people choose to live in cleaner, quieter environments further away from mining operations.

Michel-Natal

The community of Michel-Natal, some 30km North of Fernie, experienced an effect similar to this in the 1960's. Settlement began in Michel-Natal 1897-1898 when the Michel mine opened.⁸ The community grew, businesses thrived and hundreds of residents enjoyed many happy years there. In the early 1960’s government officials passed through Michel-Natal and were appalled by the state of the town and what they considered to be its ugliness. Michel-Natal had been located next to the mine and coke ovens for over 60 years, as a result the entire town including houses, businesses and even the local hospital were permanently tainted black and covered in a thick layer of coal dust. Government officials claimed the town was an eye sore for all and an inappropriate welcome for tourists entering the province from Alberta.⁹

"Michel. Backhouse Avenue, 1940s" BCARS D-07046

As a result, the community was to be relocated to Sparwood some 5 km away and the remaining buildings were to be demolished. Thanks to the automobile, employees could easily commute to work - so making a move to Sparwood was a viable option. The residents of Michel-Natal were forced to leave their homes with little monetary compensation from the government.

In this instance the relocation of the community and a convenient new form of transportation worked against the good of the townspeople.¹⁰

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