Travel through time

You will be entranced by local history

The 1929 Trans-Canada Limited is one of the most well-known trains of its era. — Photo courtesy the Trains Deluxe Canadian Museum of Rail Travel

Cranbrook’s rich heritage is a point of pride for the city. Take the opportunity to explore some of the extraordinary historical sites in the area, and you will walk away with a new understanding of how trends, culture and industries evolved.

A labour of love

A must-see for anyone visiting Cranbrook, the Trains Deluxe Canadian Museum of Rail Travel has been chosen to receive national historic site status. Take a tour of the beautifully restored railcars, visit the recently installed Cranbrook History Gallery and other intriguing features—you will soon see why the facility is so deserving of its prestigious new designation.

A true labour of love, this museum has undergone impressive work to make it an authentic representation of CP Rail’s importance throughout history. Executive director Garry Anderson has made tremendous strides in ensuring that the level of quality and authenticity here goes far beyond the scope of most museums.

See the opulent Royal Alexandra Hall, painstakingly restored to its former glory, right down to the vintage light fixtures and deluxe architecture. Take a walk through the extensive collection of railcars, and note the change in design trends over the years—from rich Edwardian themes to vivid 1970s colour schemes. You will get to see original upholstery, inlaid mahogany and black walnut woodwork, furniture and artifacts that tell much about the time frame when the trains were in operation. Check out specialized cars which have held famous members of political and royal affiliations, including Sir Winston Churchill and Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II). The museum’s ambiance and grandness has to be seen to be believed.

Ktunaxa treasure trove

The Cranbrook area has a significant and prideworthy First Nations history. The local Ktunaxa people have taken the old residential school, which closed in 1970, and added onto it in order to develop a fabulous destination resort called St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino.

In addition to the modern entertainment and recreation you can partake in at St. Eugene, you can also visit the Ktunaxa interpretive centre  and learn about the First Nations culture and the challenges these courageous people have faced.
You can also learn about canoe making and other essential skills that were passed down through the generations.  There are examples of traditional hand-made goods, ceremonial clothing and other interesting items on display.

Embrace Cranbrook’s past

There are several other ways to delve into local history. The Baker Hill district includes a selection of heritage buildings that can be viewed on a self-guided walking tour with the assistance of a map offered at the visitor centre and the rail travel museum.

A short distance out of town is the ghost town Fisherville, once a thriving community during the 1864 gold rush at Wild Horse Creek. While it has since been abandoned, there are still interesting features of the era remaining.

Of course you should also stop at Fort Steele Heritage Town, where there are tons of interactive exhibits, entertainment venues, and tourist-friendly activities that your family will love.