Exshaw, Alberta
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Exshaw, Alberta ( Elevation: 4261 feet) is a small hamlet of about 350 people. Located at least 45 minutes driving time from Calgary city limits, and 60 minutes from downtown Calgary, Exshaw is located on the north side in the eastern portion of the Bow River valley. The community is now outside the Banff National Park boundary another 30 minutes west up the valley; however, the original park entrance was actually only a couple miles east of Exshaw.
East of Exshaw are smaller company town villages of Kananaskis (lime plant) ( not the recreational area Kananaskis, Alberta) and Seebe (power dam) (now closed). A small ranch area, now mainly dude ranches, is also near the community. A number of smaller parks with camping facilities have also developed in the east Bow Valley. Directly across the Bow River south from Exshaw is the recreational community of Lac Des Arcs although no bridge communicates between the two communities. Heart Mountain is also to the south. About 15 minutes west further up the valley is the community of Canmore.
Sir Sanford Fleming named Exshaw after his son-in-law, Lord E. William Exshaw, who with Fleming helped establish the Western Canada Cement and Coal Company. A cement plant, now owned by Lafarge North America. Although the original cement plant was further west, the community has had a large plant for many years. The limestone is quarried on the mountain north of the plant.
A number of other plants and quarries are in the area east and west. East is Graymont lime and limestone products plant, and west, Baymag calcined magnesium oxide plant.
A dam on the Bow River is east of the community at Seebe.
The smaller Exshaw Mountain, 1783 m (5850 ft.), is north of the community, and is locally known as Cougar Mountain. Across from the community south beyond Lac Des Arcs is Heart Mountain, known as an easier scramble. People often marry outdoors on this mountain because of the heart shape.
The local area is known for wildlife, despite the industrial development.
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Kananaskis Country (park) |
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