Deep in the heart of Alberta’s Badlands, ghost towners can find the tiny village of Wayne, once a thriving coal-mining town of more than 3,000. But now, the ghosts are knocking in Wayne, which has witnessed its population dwindle to about 40 diehard souls.Wayne is about 10 miles southeast of Drumheller, the main centre in the Alberta Badlands, and area of the province which is considered to hold the richest dinosaur fossil beds in the world. To get to village, visitors must get off the main highway six miles east of Drumheller and then drive four miles in a winding moon-like valley, crossing 11 one lane bridges, each with a wooden plank bed.
Wayne was one community of several that sprang up after the Red Deer Coal Company introduced the area’s first mine in 1912. By 1932, the area, including Wayne, was booming, holding a population of more than 10,000. But the coal mines started closing down in 1932. And by 1957, the last mine closed, and each town in the valley started declining.
During its heyday, Wayne supported a school, hospital, theatre and several stores but today, with its Main Street barely visible, only the Rosedeer Hotel hangs on. The hotel, built in 1913 is the only structure remaining of the mining days.
To say I was disappointed wouldn't be far off the mark. I expected some old shacks or something that I could test my photography skills no but there was really nothing.
There were a few markers like this but nothing which you could stand beside, peer into, sneak around, etc. I was interesting though.
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