Discover Crowsnest Pass Day 16: A bike ride to the Frank Sanatorium 

Join Uplift Adventures as we bike to the Frank Sanitorium in the Crowsnest Pass.

We ride our bike along the beautiful Crowsnest River and make our way below Bluff Mountain. The Crowsnest and Castle Rivers were once called the Oldman River. Previously they were all called the Oldman River, and they were referred to as the North Fork (Oldman River), Middle Fork (Crowsnest River) and South Fork (Castle River). If you are familiar with this area you will know there is a mountain called Southfork, and it is called this because the river nearby used to be the south fork of Oldman River.

Next we make our way to where the old Frank Sanitorium used to be. William Samuel Lee and his son Henry first developed the naturally occurring sulphur spring across the road under Turtle Mountain. Blairmore used to be known as “The Springs” and in this time period mineral springs were very important to people and their health. A man named Willoughby, son-in-law of W.S. Lee, took advantage of the mineral springs underneath Turtle Mountain and managed the sanatorium and hotel. They were both very impressive. The hotels were not used like how we use them today, they were created to house the workers who were coming in and didn’t have homes in the area. 

When the wars were going on, the sanatorium was used as a hospital. They believe the sulphur spring water would be good for treating the injured. Many people were staying and being treated here. Eventually the sanitarium closed down in 1922, and the hotel in 1928. Now, there is not a lot left to see here.


Thank you for joining a virtual tour in the Crowsnest Pass. We invite you to come join us on a hike, backpack, outdoor course, climb or more around Crowsnest Pass, Waterton Lakes National Park, or Castle Parks. We are your locally professional and certified guides to the South Canadian Rockies.

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