So you are visiting Alberta, well, you absolutely must see the Town of Banff in Banff National Park. Let's dive a little deeper into this Jewel of the Canadian Rockies, shall we...
The History of The Town of Banff Alberta - Origins
Banff was first settled in the 1880s after the transcontinental railway was built through the Bow Valley.
In 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway workers stumbled upon a series of natural hot springs on the side of Sulphur Mountain.
The same year, the town was founded near a proposed railway siding by the Canadian Pacific Railway and named by Lord Strathcona (Donald Smith) for his hometown in Scotland.
The original townsite, known as “Siding 29”, was located 3 km from present-day Banff and relocated three years later.
The town grew to 300 residents that first year.
Banff National Park and Tourism
In 1885, the Banff Hot Springs Reserve was formed on 10 acres of land around the local hot springs.
In 1887, a major expansion of park land occurred with the formation of the Rocky Mountains Park, renamed Banff National Park in 1930.
The park, centered around Banff, was spurred by the single most significant event in the town’s history, the opening of the Banff Springs Hotel, on 1 June 1888.
Banff became a popular destination for tourists seeking natural beauty, outdoor recreation and health benefits from the hot springs.
Banff also developed as a cultural centre, with the establishment of the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts in 1933 and the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies in 1968.
Municipal Status and Challenges
Banff finally became a self-governing municipality within the province of Alberta on 1 January 1990.
Banff’s development, controversial because of the fragility of its environment, has always been determined by the federal government, tourism and the railway.
Banff faces challenges such as managing growth, preserving wildlife habitat, balancing visitor demand and local needs, and maintaining its character as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Banff has a rich and vibrant cultural and natural history, recognized globally by the United Nations, which designated the area of the Canadian Rockies as a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site in 1984
Visiting Banff Alberta and Touring Banff National Park
When visiting Banff and you want to get around in style, safety, and comfort there is really only one option: The Banff Transportation Group. The Banff Transportation Group provides a comprehensive array of professional travel services including: airport shuttle to Banff from Calgary International Airport, personal transportation in Banff and beyond, group transportation within the national park, limousine services for Banff and beyond, Banff taxi service, business and corporate transportation, coaches for group or distance travel as well as personalized sightseeing opportunities for the entire Banff national park! Their timely and efficient services combined with their thorough knowledge of the Banff area and all aspects of the Banff National Park will provide you with a great and professional travel experience.
The Banff Transportation Group is synonymous with excellent service in the Canadian Rockies. Their knowledgeable, friendly drivers know the ins and outs of Banff and all surrounding areas from Cochrane through to Jasper. Whether you are in the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains for a holiday or work they will offer you an excellent travel experience. They can provide full size sedans, taxi minivans and for larger groups we can also provide full size vans. All Their drivers have a thorough knowledge of Banff and its surrounding areas.
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