HOURS & ADMISSION
The Canmore North West Mounted Police (NWMP) Barracks Provincial Historic Site is closed to the public for the winter season.
The NWMP Barracks grounds is a public space and visitors are welcome to explore the gravel pathways and heritage garden at any time. The heritage garden is cared for by a team of dedicated museum volunteers. If you’re interested in joining this team, visit our volunteer page.
The Canmore Museum stewards this historic site on behalf of our community, and runs a number of programs and events at the Barracks throughout the year. Check out our events calendar for a listing of upcoming programs and special events.
ACCESSIBILITY & LOCATION
The NWMP Barracks Historic Provincial Site is located at the entrance to Canmore’s charming downtown at 609 8th Street.
- Paid street parking and surface lot parking are available nearby
- Canmore is accessible via Roam Transit; the 5C and 5T buses within Canmore are free for everyone
- Due to the nature of the original building, the NWMP Barracks is not wheelchair accessible
- Picnic facilities are located on the NWMP Barracks grounds
HISTORY
Built in 1893, the Canmore North West Mounted Police (NWMP)Barracks brings to life the story of the North-West Mounted Police.
The Canmore NWMP outpost was established to keep these in check for the benefit of both the mine companies and the local community.
In 1888, the president of the Canadian Anthracite Coal Company petitioned the Comptroller of the NWMP in Ottawa for more police to control the importation of liquor from the United States, which was causing problems with the miners and railway workers.
One constable was stationed in the town in rented quarters, but by 1892 it became obvious that more permanent quarters were needed and the existing Canmore NWMP Barracks were constructed in 1893. Occupied by one or two officers at a time between 1893 and 1929, their duties included patrols, checking the trains for illegal liquor and monitoring the strikes that occurred in Canmore, particularly in 1911.
The NWMP Barracks was in operation until 1929 when it was decommissioned. The property was reverted back to the government and then became a private residence until the late 1980s. It was purchased by the Town of Canmore in 1989 and declared a Provincial Historic Site in 1990. The Canmore NWMP Barracks is one of the oldest surviving NWMP buildings in Alberta, one of only three remaining from before the creation of so-called Alberta in 1905.