Fernie & Elk Valley Culture Guide Issue 4 - Spring 2017 | Page 13

and volunteer parishioners completed
this church in 1912. It was and still is
home to Fernie’s largest congregation.
7   THE CROW’S NEST PASS
COAL CO. OFFICES
501 3rd Avenue
Now in use as City Hall
In 1905, the Crow’s Nest Pass Coal
Co. constructed this building as the
head office to manage its expanding
coal mining operations. It also housed
the offices of the Crow’s Nest Pass
Electric Co. and the Morrissey-Fernie-
Michel Railway, subsidiaries of the
coal company. Constructed in cement
blocks, the building survived the 1908
Great Fire and served as a place of
refuge during and after the fire. It has
served as Fernie’s City Hall since 1984.
Located on the grounds, The Miner’s
Walk is a fascinating glimpse into
Fernie’s coal mining heritage. The walk
features interpretive panels, sculpture,
challenges for children, ironwork art
from the Fernie Forge and municipal
garden with picnic tables and benches.
Mayor Giuliano welcomes visitors.
8   THE FERNIE POST OFFICE
AND CUSTOMS OFFICE
492 3rd Avenue | Now in use as the
Fernie Heritage Library
This imposing Romanesque Revival
building reflects Fernie’s importance
as a government centre for the region;
the engraved stone signs above the
entrance to the Post Office and
Customs Office are still in place. The
building, for a time, served as the US
consul office for the region. Built in
1907, the building was gutted but not
destroyed in the 1908 Great Fire.
An exhibit on the 1908 Great Fire
is located on the landing of the main
staircase. See P18 for more.
9   SALVATION ARMY
260 5th Street | Now in use as
Eye of the Needle Studio
In 1904, William Eschwig of the
Northern Hotel made a trade in
which he secured the Salvation Army
this site in exchange for the Victoria
Avenue location, where they had been
operating since November 3, 1900.
The original building was lost in the
1908 Fire. The replacement building,
seen here, was the Salvation Army’s
home until 2001 when they moved
to their current location on Victoria
Avenue. Step inside and discover
a working felting studio, beautiful
antiques, and unique artisan crafts
including Katherine Russel glasswork
and ironwork from the Fernie Forge.
The Fernie Meat Market next door has
antique tins and some of the best jerky
in the Kootenays.
13