History of Jasper National Park in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 27, 2024

Jasper National Park, located in Alberta, Canada, is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, covering 11,000 square kilometers. Established in 1907 and later designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, including glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, and mountains. Situated north of Banff National Park and west of Edmonton, Jasper offers breathtaking views and opportunities for outdoor recreation.

1906: Formation of the Alpine Club of Canada

The Alpine Club of Canada was founded in 1906 and would later hold several of its annual alpine camps in Jasper National Park.

September 14, 1907: Formal Establishment of Jasper Forest Park

On September 14, 1907, Jasper Forest Park was officially created through a federal order in council.

1907: Establishment of Jasper Forest Park

In 1907, Jasper Forest Park was established as a result of the planned construction of a second Canadian transcontinental railway. The park was intended to be an alpine resort, similar to Rocky Mountains Park, and include a train station, hotels, and a town.

1908: Mary Schäffer Warren's Exploration

In 1908, Mary Schäffer Warren became the first settler to visit Maligne Lake, guided by a Nakoda guide named Samson Beaver, using a map he provided.

1909: Displacement of Métis Homesteaders

In 1909, six Métis families were removed from the park's boundaries and compensated for their properties, which contradicted the intended preservation of the wilderness.

1910: Destruction of Jasper House

Jasper House, the trading post that gave its name to the park and the town, was destroyed in 1910.

1911: Early Hotels and Railway Expansion

By 1911, eight basic hotels were operating in Jasper. The Grand Trunk Pacific (GTP) railway reached Yellowhead Pass and the town of Fitzhugh (later renamed Jasper) was founded around the GTP station.

1911: Administrative Changes and Hunting Prohibition

Jasper Forest Park, renamed Jasper Park, came under the administration of the Dominion Parks Branch. The branch prohibited hunting in the park, contradicting the traditional hunting practices of First Nations.

1916: Establishment of Internment Camp

An internment camp was established in Jasper National Park for individuals considered "enemy aliens" during World War I. The internees, mostly from the German, Austro-Hungarian, and Ottoman Empires, were put to work building a road from Jasper to Medicine Lake and later Maligne Lake.

1922: Opening of Jasper Park Lodge

Despite financial struggles and nationalization of the GTP, the luxurious Jasper Park Lodge, a key element of GTP's advertising, finally opened in 1922 under the new ownership of the CNR.

1924: Jasper House Designated a National Historic Site

The site of the original Jasper House trading post was officially recognized as a national historic site in 1924.

1926: Alpine Club Camps in Jasper

The Alpine Club of Canada held the first of seven annual alpine camps in Jasper National Park. The camps continued until 1950.

1930: National Parks Act and Boundary Changes

The National Parks Act of 1930 solidified Jasper's status as a national park and emphasized its preservation. Ironically, the act also reduced the park's size by 518 square kilometers, allowing for coal mining and hydroelectric projects in the removed areas.

1930: Renaming to Jasper National Park

With the passing of the National Parks Act in 1930, Jasper Forest Park was officially renamed Jasper National Park.

1931: Unemployment Relief and the Start of the Icefields Parkway

In 1931, during the Great Depression, the Canadian government implemented the Unemployment and Farm Relief Act. This act provided funding for public works projects in national parks, aiming to create jobs. Many unemployed Canadian National Railway workers were hired for road and bridge construction within Jasper National Park, earning 25 to 30 cents per hour for an eight-hour workday, up to six days a week. One notable project starting in October 1931 was the construction of a road between Jasper and Banff, which eventually became the foundation for the Icefields Parkway.

1950: Last Alpine Club Camp in Jasper

The final of seven annual alpine camps hosted by the Alpine Club of Canada in Jasper National Park took place.

1984: UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation

Jasper National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984.

2010: Jasper National Park in Film

Jasper National Park served as a prominent location in the 2010 3D animated comedy-drama film "Alpha and Omega." The film depicts the story of two wolves who are taken from their home in Jasper and face challenges as they attempt to return.

May 2014: Glacier Skywalk Opens

May 2014 marked the opening of the Glacier Skywalk, a captivating attraction along the Icefields Parkway. The skywalk features a glass-floored observation platform that extends 280 meters (920 feet) out over the Sunwapta Valley, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

2017: Increased Wildfire Risk from Dead Trees

In 2017, concerns grew about the heightened risk of wildfires in Jasper National Park and the surrounding areas due to the presence of a large number of dead and dying trees. This concern was partly confirmed by observations in British Columbia, where roughly one-third of forest fires that year were occurring in areas with dead trees.

2017: Mountain Pine Beetle Threat Identified

The Jasper National Park Management Plan, released by Parks Canada in 2017, highlighted a significant risk to the park's ecosystem: the mountain pine beetle. The report warned that the beetles posed a threat because they kill large areas of trees, increasing the risk of wildfires. Approximately 1.1 million hectares within the park were identified as vulnerable to a potential beetle infestation.

2020: "Do Not Let Moose Lick Your Car"

In 2020, an unusual warning sign, "Do not let moose lick your car," began appearing on roads around Jasper National Park. The signs addressed the issue of moose being attracted to the salt on vehicles and licking them, posing risks to both motorists and the moose if they remained near the highways.