Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-03
Banff Springs Hotel,
Banff Alberta Canad

Aug. II, 1904.
BanH is a thousand miles west of
winnipeg. 1t Is located in the Nation.
al ROCKY Mountains park of Canada
which comprises an area of 4,90O
square miles and is in the very heart
OF one of the most picturesque parts
OF the Canadian Rockies. The beauties
OF mountain and forest, lake and river
are mere exquisitely blended, making
the scenery grand beyond compare,
BanH is most appropriately termed
"Banff the Beautiful
Being on the main line of the Cana
dian Pacific Railway and this hotel
being one of the chain Of splendid no.
tells operated by that great corporation
from quebec to Vancouver, many trans
contlnental passengers stop over here
and are at once entranced with the
surprising scenic beauties of the place.
There are snow-capped mountains on
every side, not at great distances. but
right at hand. and the mighty upheav-
al which in past ages made these
great piles was such as to leave here
all manners. styles and shapes of
mountain peaks and ridges. Some are
mr. clad to their SUBMITS, others are
stupenduous masses of bare tilted stra.
ia, utterly destitute of vegetation and
curiously shaped by ice action in the
unknown past. One never tires of gaz.
ing on their ponderous and fantastic
shapes. picking out giant faces. forms
and figures.
Bow River Valley.
The Bow River Valley which is fol-
lowed by the railroad, is gem of ma
ture OF which it is said there are no
counterparts in America. Here just be-
low the hotel are the Bow River rapids
and falls, on which on can look for
hours in dreamy langouor forgetful of
the busy world beyond, with its mani.
fold cares, duties and sorrows, but
mindful for the time, only of the al
most perfect restfulness of this de-
lightful spot.
From the hotel veranda one obtains
a good view of the "Hoodoos' several
miles distant. These are curiously
formed giant clay figures caused by
erosion. AS they increase in size each
year the superstitious Indians before
the advent of civilization, believed that
they were alive and worshipped them
as gods. AS seen in the bright moon
light they stand out with peculiar let
us say 'indistinctness, and one. can
readily believe that they inspired the
untutored savage with awe and super
stitious dread.
A Health Resort.
Aside from it's Incompatible noun
tain scenery, Banf is known for it's
health-giving hot sulphur springs, it's
lakes and rivers and its beautiful
drives. The, Canadian government has
wisely set apart this portion of the
Rocky mountains as national park
and has already constructed many
miles of splendid roads. The park sup
erintendent maintains here, in a large
corral of 800 acres. herd of nearly
fifty buffalo. the last remnant of the
countless thousand bison that gen
Grafton ago. roamed over the adjacent
plains. In the corral are also elk,
moose. Angora goat, antelope, deer,
etc. The buffalo can be seen by visit
ors at close range and the herd con-
5tains some magnificent specimens. 1t
is slowly increasing, there having
been nine calves born this season.
The climate of Banff during the sum-
mer months is delightful and while as
cool, the days are warm and pleasant
with plenty of genial sunshine and
very little wind or rain. There is no
hay fever here and all the conditions
ere right for health and enjoyment
The amusements are driving, horse
back riding, walking, bathing, noun
tain climbing with the best of fishing
and hunting in season and finally Just
breathing" Every breath is delight,
bringing with it physical strength and
mental inspiration.
The trip from Iowa to Banff is an
easy one, the shortest route being via
the 500 Line from Minneapolis. The
time required from that city is about
forty hours and during the summer
season very low round trip rate Is
made.
Twenty-Five Years After.
The writer desired to visit the city