Lille

Originally known as French Camp, Lille was established in 1901 by West Canadian Collieries Ltd., which operated mines from 1901 to 1912. Lille was originally connected to Frank by a seven mile pack trail that was later widened to a cart trail. In 1903, the Frank and Grassy Mountain Railway spur was completed. It was a difficult and costly venture with only seven miles of track. It was extremely steep for a railroad (2-3 % grades in places) and included several switchbacks and 23 wooden trestles. Due to its location, Lille was forced to become self-sufficient. In 1905 Canada's most advanced coke ovens of the time were completed with bricks imported from Belgium. Because of the decrease in markets and the high cost of railway maintenance, mining operating ceased in 1912. Today Lille is a true ghost town with only some of the coke ovens and the stone foundation of the hotel remaining relatively intact. However many of its homes and artifacts were moved to other locations in the Crowsnest Pass and are in use today. Its hotel's timbers support the Moose Mountain Café and you can drink beer from its hotel bar at the Lundbreck Hotel. In 1978 Lille was declared a Historic Provincial Site.