History

Fernie is a community that is rich in heritage and history. With its roots planted in the coal mining industry, Fernie came into being in 1898 when the railroad came through this region. Formal incorporation took place in 1904, but this wasn’t the only significant event to happen that year as a fire raged through the city nearly wiping it out. Four years later, a second and more devastating fire ripped through Fernie leaving only 32 buildings standing. Out of the ashes arose a new approach to the City and buildings of brick and stone became the landscape of the downtown core. Many of these buildings still exist today, giving Fernie a unique heritage component.

Our economy has always been tied closely to the resource extraction industries, particularly mining and forestry. Although there are no mines located right in Fernie, we serve as a bedroom community to the coal mines in the area with about half of our population associated with mining.

The remaining business base is in tourism (accommodators, restaurants, etc.), community services (financial, legal, government, health, repair, entertainment, etc.), retail services and construction trades. There is also a growing number of ‘non-store-front’ businesses including consultants and other home based enterprises that do not require a specific location to operate. Over the past few decades, many new amenities have been provided due to a steady growth in tourism. As a result, the city certainly doesn’t fit the traditional ‘mining community’ perception.