Brief History of Albert Canyon

Approximately half way between Rogers Pass and Revelstoke, was situated the town of Albert Canyon. Little is left of the town it once was. The remains of Albert Canyon are a ghost town situated a short distance south of the present day hot springs pool site.

The village of Albert Canyon, the gorge and the hot springs were all named after Albert Rogers, who undertook many exploration trips in the area, including the discovery of Rogers Pass. Throughout the years of steam locomotives, Albert Canyon was a “pusher station”, with a small roundhouse built in 1916. They built a railway station providing housing for operators, a section gang, and living quarters for the CPR agent upstairs in the station.

The mineral waters of Albert Canyon were allegedly discovered by CPR workmen at the turn of the century. The railway employees dug a pit at the hot springs and lined it with heavy timbers.

The open air "hot tub" was used by visitors and residents for many, many years. Today the Canyon Hot Springs are some distance away, with the water from the hot springs being piped to their pools.

In addition, Albert Canyon had a very active sawmill and logging operation, we can still remember the old WWII truck that used to haul logs to the mill. Nothing remains of the mill now, except our wonderful memories of the times we had there.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Albert Canyon Hot Springs


For a school outing, the teacher would take us up to the hot springs for the afternoon. No one seemed to worry about the grizzly bears or wolves in the area.

In addition to the school outing, our parents would take us up there for family picnics.

I can clearly recall the smell of the 26 degree C mineral water, the smell of the trees, the slimy wooden boards holding the water in, the gravel bottom, and best of all the frogs and tadpoles swimming around. Those days are gone, but our memories have still lasted.

Hank, Will, a friend, and mum, having a great time in the original Albert Canyon hot springs. Photo taken in July 1957.

Will sitting by the hot springs with mum looking on.
The water is now reheated and piped to the new "Canyon Hot Springs", to bad in a way, but now everyone can enjoy a piece of our past.
The Smallberge girls, Hank and Will enjoying the hot springs

Photo found on the internet: Left to right, Gordon Jones, Steve Woolsey and friend, taken in 1970.


and now...
What can you say... no more tadpoles or slimy boards... only memories

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