History
of Fernie
Just
over a century ago, populated seasonally by First Nations peoples,
Fernie was a pristine wilderness. The region remained relatively
untouched until the exploration of the Crowsnest Pass in 1873
by Michael Phillips. This discovery, and the sighting of outcroppings
of coal, opened the region to the rest of the continent.
Fernie takes its name from William Fernie, who along with Colonel
James Baker were the main players in the drive to bring coal mining
to the valley. It took ten years to raise enough money to build
the mines and the railway needed to transport the coal to market.
In 1897 coal mining began in the region and in 1898 the Canadian
Pacific Railroad arrived, and with it, the town of Fernie. As
Fernie grew, logging quickly became the second largest industry
in the area with logging camps employing hundreds of men.
Although Fernies is a short history, it is one plagued by
natural and human disasters. Mining accidents ravaged the region
from Fernie to the eastern entrance of the Crowsnest Pass in the
early days of mining, claiming numerous lives. Fire reduced Fernies
primarily wooden commercial district to smoldering rubble in April
1904. In August 1908 a second devastating fire gutted the entire
city. The townsfolk literally ran for their lives and in less
than 90 minutes the town was reduced to ashes.
The residents were undeterred and by 1910 Fernie was rebuilt:
this time in brick and stone. The population soared to 6,000 and
Fernie flourished into a thriving city, guided by the unwavering
resolve and determination of its residents. These fires, more
than any other, shaped the physical appearance of Fernie to this
day as is seen in the brick and stone buildings that beautify
downtown Fernie.
Many lightheartedly attribute the unfortunate history of the city
to a curse that hangs over the valley. On a summer evening, out
of Mount Hosmers south face comes the Ghostrider: the darkened
shadow of a distinctive horse and rider who some say is an angry
Indian chief and his daughter pursuing William Fernie. As legend
tells it, William was betrothed to an Indian Princess in order
to learn the source of her coal bead necklace. After learning
the location of the Morrissey Coal Seams he left the Princess.
In revenge, the tribes medicine woman placed a curse on
the region.
Although discounted by many, the misfortune of the region is often
reason enough to believe. It makes for a fascinating tale, especially
considering the many tragedies in Fernies past. In 1964
members of the Kootenay Tribes assembled in Fernie and performed
a curse lifting ceremony, smoking a pipe of peace with local politicians.
Still the legend lives on in the shadow on the mountain and in
the stories of the townspeople.
Fernies troubled history continued on into the depression
of the thirties, when the city was brought to its knees and population
and prosperity were reduced. Government subsidies kept the stagnant
coal industry alive until the 1960s when it was revitalized by
world coal markets. Today coal remains a pillar of Fernies
economy.
In 1963 locally owned Fernie Snow Valley opened, laying the foundation
for todays resort by cutting runs, building lifts and creating
the resorts first on-mountain subdivision. Fuelled by enthusiastic
residents, Fernie bid for the 1968 Winter Olympics and the region
took its first steps in becoming a world-class resort. In 1998
the resort was purchased and was renamed Fernie Alpine Resort.
The ski area was doubled with the construction of new lifts and
building began on the alpine village at the base of the resort.