Population: 2869 (2021)
Schools: Coalhurst Elementary School (Kindergarten & Early Learning Program, Grade 1 – 6); Coalhurst High School (Grade 7 – 12)
Distance from major centres: 10 kilometres (6 miles) northwest of the City of Lethbridge; 207 kilometres (129 miles) south of Calgary
Connecting highway: Crowsnest Highway (#3)
Railway: Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) main line and spur line
Air service: YQL Lethbridge Airport
Fire protection: Coalhurst Volunteer Fire Department
Police service: Coaldale-Picture Butte RCMP Detachment
On December 17, 1913, Coalhurst was established as a municipality in the Province of Alberta. At that time, the community consisted of pioneers, miners and adventurers who were drawn here primarily to be part of the coal mining industry. The Imperial Mine was in operation as of 1911, and led to the development of a town with excellent schools, a core business population, and wonderful neighbours.
Coalhurst had strong agricultural roots in its early days with Ellison Milling operating a grain elevator here, alongside a busy downtown area with dry goods, a meat market, a shoe store, clothing store, bank, blacksmiths, post office, hardware store, pool hall, confectionary, garage, Chinese restaurant, RCMP detachment, the Coalhurst Hotel and a hospital. Also contributing to the community were local churches and schools.
On the morning of December 9, 1935, Coalhurst was a thriving coal-mining town of 1,200 people. On that day, shortly after 4:30 pm, tragedy struck in the form of a major mine disaster resulting in the death of 16 miners. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the mine was subsequently closed — a development that would take the Town many years to overcome. In the years that followed, businesses and residents left, leaving a virtual ghost town that was unincorporated — reverting to hamlet status. At its lowest point, only a mere handful of residents remained. Then, in the 1970s, there was renewed interest in the area as people sought a quiet place to live, away from the city but close enough to enjoy all the benefits of city life. Coalhurst was the ideal place.
Reincorporated in 1979, and redesignated as a Town on June 1, 1995, today Coalhurst is a rural community of nearly 3,000 people, where residents enjoy the amenities of large-city living but in a small, close-knit community setting.
In 2013, Coalhurst celebrated its Centennial, and in 2025 it will mark 30 years since being reincorporated as a Town. In 2035, the Town will honour the 100th anniversary since the Imperial Mine explosion and the lives of those who were lost and affected by the great tragedy. We invite you to learn more about our community and its deep history – and about the great people who have helped shape it over the last century – and what we’re doing to honour our past while also looking forward to a bright future of continued growth and sustainability to make this a great place to live, play, and do business.
Learn more about the Town’s history with this self-guided walking tour: A Walk Through Time