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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Waterton Park in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)
 

Oil & Architecture

Pétrole et Architecture

 
 
Oil & Architecture Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 17, 2010
1. Oil & Architecture Marker
Inscription.  
Did you know Waterton contains two national historic sites? Many more are nearby, some managed by Parks Canada and some by other agencies and groups. National historic sites celebrate over 1,500 places, persons and events important to Canadians.

First Oil Well in Western Canada National Historic Site
Oil was struck in Waterton’s Akamina Valley in 1902! As Western Canada’s first oil well producing saleable quantities of oil, it became a national historic site in 1965. If you travel up to Cameron Lake, stop on your way and take a look.

Prince of Wales Hotel National Historic Site
The Prince of Wales Hotel opened its doors in 1927 and has fascinated visitors ever since. It was designated as a national historic site in 1993 for its traditional architectural style and its contribution to tourism in the mountain parks.


While the community of Waterton Park started out as a recreational haven for local people to camp, fish and relax; a key part of its history also relates to oil.

In 1904, as part of other oil explorations in the area, the Western Oil and Coal Company drilled
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a well near Cameron Falls, striking a flow of one barrel/day in 1905. The company was responsible for the first buildings in the present community – including a cookhouse, bunkhouse, blacksmith shop, stable and engine room. In 1907 the well caved in and was shut down. The same company also drilled where the Bayshore Inn and Alpine Stables are now located, and near today’s Crandell Campground. All wells failed.

In 1910, cottage lots were surveyed in Waterton Park, then rented out. The opening of the Prince of Wales Hotel further enhanced development of the community for tourism. Instead of being an oil boom town, the community grew from the roots of recreation and appreciation for its outstanding natural features.


(French inscription)

Saviez-vous que Waterton contient deux lieux historiques nationaux? Il y en a beaucoup d′autres à proximité. Certains sont gérés par Parcs Canada et d′autres, par divers groupes et organismes. Lieux historiques nationaux célèbrent plus de 1 500 endroits, personnes et événements importants pour les Canadiens.

Lieu historique national du Premier-Puits-de-Pétrole-de-l′Ouest-Candadien
On découvrit du pétrole dans la vallée Akamina de Waterton en 1902! Ce premier puits producteur de quantités vendables de pétrole de l′Ouest canadien devint un lieu historique
Family Camp, ca. 1890-1893 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 17, 2010
2. Family Camp, ca. 1890-1893
Close-up of image on marker
national en 1965. Jetez-y un coup d′ceil en passant si vous allez au lac Cameron.

Lieu historique national de L′hôtel Prince of Wales
L′hôtel Prince of Wales a ouvert ses portes en 1927 et fascine les visiteurs depuis. Il a été désigné lieu historique national en 1993 en raison de son architecture traditionnelle et de son apport au tourisme dans les parcsdes montagnes.


La communauté du parc Waterton fut établie comme lieu de camping, de pêche et de détente pour les gens de la région, mais une partie de son histoire est liée au pétrole.

En 1904, la Western Oil and Coal Company fora un puits près des chutes Cameron et produisit un baril par jour en 1905. Elle construisit les premiers bâtiments de la communauté actuelle, notamment une cuisine de chantier, un pavillion--dortoir, une forge, une écurie et une salle des machines. En 1907, le puits s′effondra et fut fermé. La même entreprise fora aussi sur le lieu du Bayshore Inn et des Alpine Stables, et près du camping Crandell. Tous les puits échouèrent.

Des terrains de chalet furent arpentés en 1910, puis loués par la suite. L′ouverture de l′hôtel Prince of Wales accéléra le développement pour le tourisme. Au lieu d′une ville de boom pétrolier, la communauté devint un lieu de loisirs et d′appr&eacut;ciation des caractéristiques
Oil Derrick near Cameron Falls, 1904 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 17, 2010
3. Oil Derrick near Cameron Falls, 1904
Close-up of image on marker
naturelles remarquables de la région.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1965.
 
Location. 49° 3.079′ N, 113° 54.972′ W. Marker is in Waterton Park, Alberta, in Waterton Lakes National Park. Marker is on Evergreen Avenue south of Cameron Falls Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 312 Evergreen Ave, Waterton Park AB T0K 2M0, Canada. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 6 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Waterton (here, next to this marker); Western Canada's 1st Producing Oil Well (approx. 5.6 kilometers away); Dream Town (approx. 6.4 kilometers away).
 
Also see . . .  Waterton Lakes National Park. Official Parks Canada website entry (Submitted on May 5, 2015.) 
 
Cameron Falls, ca. 1890-1893 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 17, 2010
4. Cameron Falls, ca. 1890-1893
Close-up of image on marker
View to North on Evergreen Avenue image. Click for full size.
Google Street View (©2015 Google), September 2012
5. View to North on Evergreen Avenue
Marker is on left (west) side of street next to pedestrian bridge
Western Canada's 1st Producing Oil Well Monument image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 18, 2010
6. Western Canada's 1st Producing Oil Well Monument
Located on the Akamina Parkway 7 kilometers from Waterton
Prince of Wales Hotel image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 18, 2010
7. Prince of Wales Hotel
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 5, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.   6. submitted on January 15, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.   7. submitted on May 5, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.

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Apr. 26, 2024