What was the frank slide

The second largest catastrophic slide in Canadian history and one of the twenty largest slides in the world, the Frank Slide is one of the most impressive and best known natural phenomena in Alberta. It made an important contribution to geological science, because the size of the slide and a lack of vegetation made it one of the first to receive detailed geological study. Physical characteristics of the "debris field" - extent and depth volume of the fan of rock debris, which are indicative of the magnitude of the event both as a natural occurrence and human disaster; - distribution of the debris potentially revealing into the dynamics of large-scale rockslides as geological events; - composition limestone and structure jointing and bedding of the rock, which speaks to the geology of the area and inherent weaknesses in the mountain that contributed to the slide; - massiveness of individual boulders, which viscerally convey the sheer scale of the event and the devastation it wrought; - vegetation patterns on the fringes of the debris field, which tell a story of environmental impact and recovery.

Frank townsite - depressions marking locations of former buildings; - street alignments of the former town of Frank now Frank Industrial Park ; - cast iron fire hydrant. Transportation corridors - old road s and alignments that reflect the disruption resulting from the slide. Three limestone kilns - mass and form of these tall masonry structures, rectangular in plan and tapering toward the top; - cast-in-place, board-formed concrete construction of the two east kilns; - rubble stone construction of the west kiln; - sloped retaining wall of kiln loading platform retaining wall of cast concrete with parging and brush-applied limewash; - brick-lined oven doorways at south base of kilns; - vestiges of rail spur from main line to kilns, including roadbed aligned with kilns and defined by embankment with a limestone rubble retaining wall; - visual association with slide scarp on Turtle Mountain directly to the west; - roads or paths used to transport limestone from the slide to the kilns for processing.

Views - view of Turtle Mountain and the slide as seen from the old road - visual and spatial association of the slide, Frank townsite, and transportation corridors. Province of Alberta. Historical Resources Act. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Calgary Herald Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up.

Please try again. This website uses cookies to personalize your content including ads , and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Sign Up. Manage Print Subscription. Main Menu Search calgaryherald. By April of , the mine was virtually 'self-operating' in that all the miners had to do was to shovel up the coal as it fell from the ceiling.

Just below the mine entrance, the Old Man River ran along the base of the mountain. Beyond and to the left lay the town of Frank, divided by Gold Creek which flowed in from the east across the valley and joined the Old Man River below the mine entrance. The Canadian Pacific Railroad ran somewhat parallel to the River and passed Frank on the eastern side; the mine spur line branched off from the CPR, running west of Frank, across Gold Creek and the Old Man River and up to the mine entrance, completing the triangle framing downtown Frank.

A well-worn path ran between the river and railroad, joining Frank to Pincher Creek to the south and Blairmore to the north. Coming down from the valley far to the east was the Frank Grassy Mountain Railroad. The Indians of the area avoided Turtle Mountain. To them, it was the 'mountain that walked'. Their legend would soon become all too real. John Thornley bid 'goodnight' to the last customer in his Shoe Shop 'G' on the map.

His sister was in the kitchen of their combination shop and cabin, just finishing washing the evening's supper dishes. This was her last night in Frank before returning to her home and parents in Pincher Creek. On a whim, John convinced Ellen to spend her last night in town in a hotel in Frank rather than sleep at the cabin.

Delighted at the prospect, Ellen quickly packed her suitcases and the two walked the short distance to town where they took rooms at the Frank Hotel. This 'whim' would save their lives.

John McVeigh, general manager of the McVeigh and Poupore construction camp set up near the railroad tracks, convinced stable-boss Jack Leonard to ride into Pincher Creek to buy more hay in preparation for the men and horses which would be arriving soon.

With Leonard gone, there were 12 labourers plus McVeigh left in the camp. Midnight, April The night crew for the mine was assembled in Frank. Together, they crossed the bridge over the Old Man River and headed toward the mine entrance. Declining Ferguson's invitation to stay at the hotel that night, Watt crossed Gold Creek and walked to the livery stable 'D' on the map where his assistant, Francis Rochette, was already asleep.

In the boarding house 'A' on the map , Lillian Clark, who had never spent a night away from home in her life, worked so late that she decided not to cross Gold Creek and join her mother and 5 brothers and sisters.

Instead, she decided to remain at the boarding house over-night. This 'decision' would save her life.