Blairmore

Originally known as Tenth Siding, when the Canadian Pacific Railway came through in 1897 it was renamed Blairmore the following year. Coal mining became the main industry when work began on the south mine in 1904 and continued when the Greenhill mine opened in 1913. Other notable early industries were a cement plant, brick works, and a number of logging and lumber businesses. With a sound industrial base and a central location the town prospered and remains the commercial centre of the Crowsnest Pass. The town was the base for Emilio Picariello, the famous rum runner. During the 1930 it elected a socialist council and named the main street Tim Buck Boulevard after the leader of Canada's communist party.