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With a population of 6,500, Blairmore is the main economic and commercial centre
of the Crowsnest Pass.
Originally a lonely Canadian Pacific Railway stop, disembarking passengers soon
decided to stay and take advantage of the endless supply of coal underneath
the surrounding Rocky Mountains. The remains of the
Leitch Collieries, a huge processing plant that was a remarkable
enterprise, churning out thousands of tons of coke daily, are nearby, standing
as a testament to the early industry of the Pass.
Blairmore's most recognizable former resident is the gregarious Emilio Picariello,
otherwise known as “Emperor Pic”. An immigrant from Sicily, Picariello acted
as mayor of the town at the same time as operating a lucrative rum-running
business. He was sentenced to hang after an infamous incident where an Alberta
Provincial Police officer was shot and killed following a high-speed chase involving
Picariello's son. The town's historic courthouse
was built shortly thereafter. A good base for exploring the Pass, Blairmore's streets
are lined with period housing, and views of the mountains inspire many local
photographers
and artists.
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