Near Banff in Banff National Park, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)

The Cave and Basin

Photographed by Kevin Craft, September 16, 2017

1. The Cave and Basin Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Cave and Basin Springs were brought to public attention after being located by CPR construction workers in 1883. These and the Upper Hot Springs soon drew private entrepreneurs and tourists. Growing support for public ownership prompted the federal government to set aside a land reserve here in 1885. Two years later the springs provided the focus of Canada's first national park, Rocky Mountains Park, now called Banff National Park. These hot springs are rightfully known as the birthplace of Canada's national parks, which today span the entire country.

Ces sources thermales furent portées à l'attention du public lors de la construction du chemin de fer Canadien Pacifique en 1883. De même que les Upper Hot Springs, elles ne tardèrent pas à attirer les entrepre neufs et les touristes. Le gouvernement fédéral confirma ses droits de propriété sur les sources en créant une réserve en 1885. Deux ans plus tard, la réserve devint le premier parc national du Canada. Il fut d'abord appelé parc dès Rocheuses, puis parc national Banff. Ces sources thermales se trouvent donc à l'origine du vaste réseau des parcs nationaux du Canada.

Erected by Historic

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Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Exploration • Landmarks • Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 51° 10.187′ N, 115° 35.324′ W. Marker is near Banff, Alberta, in Banff National Park. It can be reached from Cave Avenue 1.4 kilometers west of Banff Avenue. Marker is located near the entrance of the new Boutique / Discovery Centre adjacent the parking lots. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 311 Cave Avenue, Banff AB T0L 2C0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Alberta’s Canadian Rockies.

It is also in the Prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony

and also Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies:

Wideview of The Cave and Basin Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Craft, September 16, 2017

2. Wideview of The Cave and Basin Marker

A Zoo in Banff (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); Norman Sanson (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); Banff Park Museum (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); An Architectural Landmark (approx. 1.6 kilometers away); John Murray Gibbon (approx. 1.9 kilometers away); Banff Springs Hotel (approx. 2 kilometers away); Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station (approx. 2.6 kilometers away); Tunnel Mountain - What’s in a name? (approx. 4.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Banff.

Also see . . .
1. Parks Canada - Cave and Basin. (Submitted on October 7, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.)
2. Wikipedia - Cave and Basin. (Submitted on October 7, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 603 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 7, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.