Hillcrest Mine and Cemetery
Mines, Sightseeing Tours
The worst coal mining disaster in Canada happened in the community of Hillcrest, on the east end of Crowsnest Pass. On June 19, 1914, a pocket of methane gas in the Hillcrest Mine ignited and set off a coal-dust explosion that killed 189 miners. Most of the victims were buried in a mass grave at the Hillcrest Cemetery, where a memorial was erected in 2000. It was the worst underground mine disaster in Canadian history. The Hillcrest Cemetery is an important part of the history of Hillcrest and is identified on the Heritage Driving Tour map. The cemetery includes a short, informative interpretive walk (suitable for visitors with limited mobility), and there is an adjacent picnic area. The site is open for self-guided tours throughout the year.
200 4th Ave
Crowsnest Pass
Canada
