Taken from Our Treasured Heritage-
A History of Coalhurst and District
Pages 69 - 70
By Jenny Kooiker

A chimney stands ghostly silent and alone amidst a
pile of rubble. As you look at it, you wonder does it
too remember the history now gone by? The history you
remember as you pay solemn tribute while standing and
watching.

The day - April 30, 1983. A match is lit to the Canadian
Pacific Railway Train Station, brought here originally from
Kipp. Mixed memories come to mind as the flames build
themselves higher and higher.

Many stories have been told since history research started
about this building. Stories of people having to switch
trains at Coalhurst, people rushing in and out of the station,
a hub of busy activity. You can almost visualize them
standing there and watching the building disentegrate.

Freight was also unloaded for Coalhurst, or maybe removed
in many other methods. We can't mention years of people
probably muttering at having to wait at the train crossing,
and of people coming to and from work.

The building has weathered a lot. Winter blizzards, summer
heat, the boom times with the opening of the mine, the bad
times with mine closure and the almost ghostly appearance
of the town itself. It has seen it all.

But like most things that happen there is also a good side to
be seen also. The station burning was a controlled exercise
by the volunteer fire department, who did a splendid job.
They were able to save the tree that stood behind the building
for so many years. Congratulations to Fire Chief Bruce Look,
Deputy Chief Doug McNabb, Phil Bartol, Rick DeJong, Pat
Drader, Bruce Gould, Don Humphreys, Marcel Lemire, Joe Lumley,
Diane Amos, Murray Peters, Melvin (Moe) Roth, Bill Takacs and
Robin Soenen.

The fire was put out and started again many times as part of their
leaming program, and only after many hours was it allowed to
die a slow death.

With the wind blowing smoke and flames across the track,
a long C.P.R. train passed slowly through as though paying
silent tribute. Hours later, a second train rocketed by, as if
there was no past to slow it down.

Many who have lived in Coalhurst a long time, and all who
live here now - treasure the memories, they'll always be there
for you to look back on. The future is ahead of us, the station
is gone - but it will always be a part of our history to cherish.

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