History & Heritage

Jasper to Grande Cache

Grande Cache is a fascinating mix of geological and human history, which encompasses 200 million years. Once, our landscape was covered in a vast inland sea, where dinosaurs ruled the earth. Then the ice age formed our mountains and river valleys, while providing a land bridge for migrating peoples from Asia.

In the early 1800s there was the migration of frontier men who trapped for furs, hunted for North American big game or came to explore and settle in the scenic beauty of the Rocky Mountains. The town takes its name from an Iroquios fur trapper working for the Hudson Bay Company between 1818 and 1821. Ignace Gausson established a large fur cache in the area to store his furs, and hence Grande Cache.

In the early 1900s, when Jasper National Park was formed, the Aseniwuche Winewak and Métis people were relocated to the Grande Cache area to settle.

In 1969, the present day town of Grande Cache became a reality, with the discovery of coal in the area. Today, we are a richly diverse population and provide a base for resource industries of coal, forestry, oil and gas. Tourism is the latest venture and is fast proving to be a valuable major contributor to the economy, as well as providing a growing awareness of our beautiful area to visitors we receive from all over the world.

Download the chronological history of Grande Cache from 1900 to 1973

• Dinosaur Tracks
  

  Discover one of the best dinosaur track sites in the world!

• Aboriginal History
  

  Discover the incredible stories from our aboriginal ancestors and what their role in our community is today