Banff Alberta CPR Railroad Train Depot Station Byron Harmon Real Photo Postcard

The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Station in Banff served as the vital gateway to Canada's first national park and the wider Canadian Rockies. Established in the late 19th century as part of the CPR's transcontinental line, this station was central to the railway's strategy of promoting tourism in the newly accessible Western wilderness. The CPR actively developed Banff as a resort town, constructing grand hotels and facilities to attract visitors from around the world.

This scene, likely dating from the early 20th century, captures the bustling activity of a burgeoning tourist destination, evidenced by the large crowds and numerous horse-drawn conveyances awaiting arrivals. The station facilitated the influx of travelers, from early mountaineers and adventurers to wealthy vacationers, solidifying Banff's reputation as a premier natural retreat. It represented a crucial link in the development of Canada's national park system and its tourism industry.