Fernie in East Kootenay, British Columbia — Canadas West Coast (North America)
Fernie Coal
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 5, 2025
1. Fernie Coal Marker
With the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway's southern line through Crowsnest Pass in 1898, underground coal mines were developed at nearby Morrisey, Coal Creek, Homer, and Michel. Fernie served as an administrative and governmental centre for the coal basin. By 1908, over 1300 bee-hive ovens operated in the Elk Valley, producing industrial quality coke at almost half the price of imported cokes. Fernie area coal enabled smelters at Nelson and Trail to be competitive with those in the United States. Cheaper coke also gave a distinct advantage to the newly emergent copper smelting industry in the Boundary Country.
Fernie & District Museum
502 5th Avenue, Fernie
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 49° 30.393′ N, 115° 3.887′ W. Marker is in Fernie in East Kootenay, British Columbia. It is at the intersection of 7 Street and 6th Avenue, on the left when traveling south on 7 Street. Located in Rotary Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fernie BC V0B 1M0, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: George Mercer Dawson (1849-1901)
this page online
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 25 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on November 18, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
