Fernie & Elk Valley Culture Guide Issue 2 Fall 2016 | Page 15

6 THE CROW’S NEST PASS COAL
CO. OFFICES | 501 3rd Avenue |
Now in use as City Hall

In 1905, the Crow’s Nest Pass Coal
Co. constructed this building as the
head office to manage its expanding
coal mining operations. It also housed
the offices of the Crow’s Nest Pass
Electric Co. and the Morrissey-FernieMichel Railway, subsidiaries of the
coal company. Constructed in cement
blocks, the building survived the 1908
Great Fire and served as a place of
refuge during and after the fire. It has
served as Fernie’s City Hall since 1984;
Mayor Giuliano welcomes visitors.
Located on the grounds, The Miner’s
Walk is a fascinating glimpse into
Fernie’s coal mining heritage. The walk
features interpretive panels, sculpture,
challenges for children, ironwork art
from the Fernie Forge and municipal
garden with picnic tables and benches.
See p17 for more.
7 THE FERNIE POST OFFICE
AND CUSTOMS OFFICE
492 3rd Avenue | Now in use as the
Fernie Heritage Library

This imposing Romanesque Revival
building reflects Fernie’s importance
as a government centre for the region;
the engraved stone signs above the
entrance to the Post Office and
Customs Office are still in place. The
building, for a time, served as the US
consul office for the region. Built in
1907, the building was gutted but not
destroyed in the 1908 Great Fire.
An exhibit on the 1908 Great Fire
is located on the landing of the main
staircase. See p18 for more.
8 FERNIE CARTAGE COMPANY
701 2nd Avenue | Now in use as Urban
Settler and private residences

Unlike many businesses in Fernie’s
Historic Downtown, the Fernie Cartage
Company rebuilt its livery using
rubblestone from the banks of the Elk
River, rather than brick, following the
1908 Great Fire, making it unique
in downtown Fernie. For many years
before automobiles were commonly
used, the company delivered milk,
coal, and other goods with a fleet of
horse-drawn drays. In the 1920s, it was
“The Up-To-Date Garage,” servicing a
number of makes of early automobiles,
and owned by prominent Italian
entrepreneur, Al Rizzuto.

The walk ends on the corner of 2nd Avenue & 7th Street. Take a stroll down Main
Street, sometimes known as Victoria Avenue, and enjoy streetside patios, boutique
shopping and cultural attractions (see attraction listings, p10). Visit working artists
and artisans in their studios (see gallery listings, p22) and soak in the atmosphere
of a town rich in history and heritage. Look up for the beautiful art banners on
downtown lampposts featuring a variety of new local artwork.

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