In the scenic setting of Alberta’s Rocky Mountain foothills, Andy McCracken, a septuagenarian, takes a moment to reflect before dialing his late father’s number on a vintage rotary telephone. Positioned within a small wooden structure adjacent to a graveyard, the disconnected landline serves as a “wind phone,” allowing visitors to have one-sided conversations with departed loved ones.
Standing at Mountain Park Cemetery in Yellowhead County, the highest elevation burial ground in Canada, McCracken converses through the wind phone with his father, expressing gratitude for his birth in Luscar, Alta., in 1953 and the ongoing joy of mountain experiences. The serene location, now home to the highest elevation wind phone in North America at nearly 1,900 meters above sea level, offers a poignant connection to the past.
Established in 1911 as the terminus of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway line, Mountain Park thrived until the closure of the coal mine in 1950, leaving behind a ghost town enveloped by nature. The community, once bustling with 1,000 inhabitants in 100 residences, now solely houses the cemetery, which holds 269 documented burials dating back to 1913.
During an interview at the cemetery, Madison Sharman, Yellowhead County’s heritage co-ordinator, shared insights into Mountain Park’s history. She highlighted the former town’s reliance on the railway as its lifeline, with residents eagerly awaiting the arrival of the train for essential supplies. The close-knit community fostered its own entertainment, including foot races up Mount Baldy and weekend dances in the nearby hamlet of Cadomin.
Though the idyllic setting may evoke romantic notions of frontier life, the cemetery’s gravestones tell tales of hardship endured by early residents. Pat Rausch, a long-time visitor to the burial ground, reflects on the poignant presence of infant burial sites and the tragic consequences of the Spanish flu pandemic in the early 1900s. Mining accidents also left a somber mark on the community, resulting in several fatalities due to worksite mishaps.
Efforts led by volunteers, including former resident Mary Salzsauler, have restored the cemetery, preserving its historical significance for future generations. The McCrackens, among those involved in the restoration, have selected a plot overlooking Cheviot Mountain as their final resting place, viewing the decision as a joyful acknowledgment of their connection to the land.
As Mountain Park Cemetery transitions under Yellowhead County’s management, the site continues to serve as a testament to the region’s past, providing a final resting place for those with ties to the area. Recent interments include notable figures like Frank and Agnes Lovsin and John Mitchell, each contributing to the rich tapestry of stories woven into the cemetery’s landscape.
Inscribed within the wind phone booth is a poignant poem by Sharman, emphasizing the enduring nature of memories and the interconnectedness of storytelling with the surrounding environment. The installation of the wind phone at Mountain Park exemplifies a heartfelt tribute to the past, ensuring that love and remembrance persist beyond farewells.