North-West Mounted Police Barracks

Lead: Built in 1893, the North-West Mounted Police Barracks was the home, lodging, and jail for police officers stationed in Canmore until 1929. The historic building is the oldest North-West Mounted Police detachment to still stand on its original location, Canmore’s third oldest remaining building, and was declared an Alberta Provincial Historical Resource in 1990s. It is now operated year-round as a historical site by the Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre.

Visit the North-West Mounted Police Barracks to learn more about the exciting history of the North-West Mounted Police officers who were stationed in Canmore to discourage rowdiness among the mining community and illegal liquor transport on the railway.

The North-West Mounted Police Barracks is currently furnished to represent the period between 1917 and 1929, when it was occupied by Corporal Clarke, his wife Dora, their five children, and the various troublemakers in the jail. The garden behind the Barracks reflects the garden once kept by Dora Clarke. It is maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers, who donate all the harvested produce to the local food bank.

In addition to operating year-round staffed by many knowledgeable volunteer tour guides, the North-West Mounted Police Barracks is also a home for summer camps, school programs, and special events.

When you are visiting Canmore, we hope you will take a few minutes to visit the North-West Mounted Police Barracks at 609 Main Street to experience a piece of Canmore’s history and see what life looked like for the residents of one of the oldest buildings in Canmore!

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Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre

In the new 3600 square foot home of the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre be a witness to the days when long long ago Canmore was on the edge of warm shallow sea…..when coal later defined the economy and character of the community….. when music and outdoor sports like hockey and speed skating (on the Bow River) kept people active…

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Discover our history at the Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre

Who named the Three Sisters? What is the story behind Ha Ling Peak? Which are the oldest buildings in the Bow Valley? How long did the Canmore Coal Mines operate? How has Canmore changed since the coal mines shut down in 1979? The answers to all these questions and more are at the Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre where we’re dedicated to telling the stories of our mountains and our communities to you.

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