History
Black Diamond Hotel Est. 1929
The town of Black Diamond takes it’s name from the abundant local coal deposits discovered in the late 1800’s by a government land surveyor, James McMillan. In 1899, Ad McPherson and J.J. Cooper opened a coal mine near the west bank of the Sheep River, and shipped an annual 650 tons of high grade coal by a wagon track to Okotoks, as Black Diamond was never served by a railway. The McPherson mine site and tilted coal seams in rocky outcrops are visible from the Friendship Trail, which links together Black Diamond and Turner Valley.
Ranching activity in the area began in the 1880’s. The town began to take shape in 1907 near what is now the Black Diamond Hotel. The first Black Diamond Stampede was held in 1917 at the Butler Place. It was moved to the Thomson Ranch in 1970’s, and continued until 1988-1989.
Discovery of oil and gas in Turner Valley stimulated a construction boom in Black Diamond, and by 1929, the population boasted over 1000 residents.
In 1929, A.A. Vassar built the Black Diamond Hotel. The hotel was and still, the largest building in the downtown, and was the center of community social activity. The hotel has gone under extensive renovation throughout the years, the most recent in 2000-2001. The Hotel is a favorite watering hole, and renown for it’s Saturday and Sunday afternoon jam sessions.
By 1949, the oil boom in the area subsided, and along with the industry, many businesses and families in the area moved elsewhere.
Points of History in Black Diamond:
- 1912 Telephones were installed
- 1917 First Black Diamond Stampede
- 1929 Black Diamond incorporated as a village
- 1929 Black Diamond Hotel was built
- 1931 Original Black Diamond school was built
- 1934 Mr. C. Ian McLaren became principal of school
- 1949 Fire destroyed south side of Center Avenue businesses
- 1956 Incorporated as Town of Black Diamond
- 1963 Oilfields High School built
- 1967 Centennial Park was built
