HOT SPRINGS PUT BANFF ON MAP
BY JACKIE GOLD - BANFF CRAG & CANYON STAFF
The Banff Hot Springs have been a focal point of Banff National Park for over a century.
Before being discovered by Canadian Pacific Railway workers William and Thomas McCardell and Frank McCabe in 1882, the hot springs had been used as sacred waters by the Native people.
Using information provided by the Stoney Natives, railway workers explored the area on a day off, looking for gold. Instead they came across the springs, and on later visits climbed down into the cave of what's now the Cave & Basin for a swim.
To ensure that no one else could claim their discovery they built a fence and shack on the area. With no available plumbing in Banff in those days, the workers had discovered heaven - a hot bath without the work - and did not want to share their discovery.
Unfortunately for the group, Canadian Pacific had decided to suggest to the government that a federal reserve be established in the area. The agreement allowed the Canadian Pacific preferential treatment in developing the area.
"The springs were very highly exploited by white newcomers from the beginning. Business people as well as government saw potential in the springs," said Donna Cook, marketing director for the hot springs.
Former prime minister Sir John A Macdonald recognized the need to develop the land, yet wanted the railway to pay its own way. As a result, he agreed to the railway's suggestion, which placed the hot springs under government control.
Macdonald joked that, "These springs will recuperate the patient and recoup the treasury."
In 1885 the Banff Hot Springs Reservation was established. An inquiry took place and outstanding claims were settled in 1886 for a few thousands dollars.
The park's reputation for healing prompted the government to lease Dr. Brett the hot springs to build Grandview Villa.
"Over 100 years ago, people came to Banff to be treated by Dr. Brett at his hotels for a huge variety of ailments. Healthy visitors also came to just enjoy the springs and the fantastic scenery surrounding them," Cook said.
The facility was utilized to help patients towards recovery. The handrails on the stairway were held up by crutches that were no longer needed by patients to reinforce the notion of the water's healing properties.
In actuality crutches were issued to all patients regardless of their level of illness, so Brett's handrails were not an indication of the level of health that could be achieved from the springs.
“Dr. Brett also commercially bottled the spring water and marketed it locally as 'Lithia Water' a tonic to cure a variety of ailments, even hangovers," said Cook
The government revoked the lease in 1901 and developed a public facility, which ran unchecked until 1951 when the idea of privatization of the springs was considered. The idea was thrown out on the basis that the springs belonged to all Canadians.
Today the Upper Hot Springs offer a number of modern luxuries, including a spa, interpretation hikes and a poolside cafe. The Cave and Basin Hot Springs - the initial ones discovered by the three railway workers - is a national historic site. It no longer has a functioning pool, but you can visit the famous cave and take in interpretive trails around the Cave & Basin.
In addition to a more modem feel to the facilities at the Upper Hot Springs, regulations surrounding their use have changed as well. "First visitors to the public pools or baths were segregated by gender. This was because it was not proper for either sex to show the amount of skin that is shown when one went to soak in the hot pool," Cook said.
"There were specific times of day for men and ladies to take the waters." The original bathhouses have been restored to their 1930s splendor, in order to maintain the cultural and historical aspects of the springs.
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