Early Camrose settlers dug coal from the sides of Stoney Creek to supplement their wood fires. Camrose is in the centre of very large coal deposits – one of the reasons for the railways’ interest. By 1907 coal was being mined in many locations around Camrose producing 5,000 tons of coal annually.
By 1914 production had grown to 60,000 tons annually..
In 1911 Stoney Creek Collieries Ltd. had purchased the Stoney Creek mining site from its previous owners. The company owned 100 acres of coal-producing land along the Stoney Creek Valley and set up a business selling coal locally and shipping to Saskatchewan. The colliery became the largest payroll industry in Camrose and area. For the most part the colliery was owned by Dennis Twomey and Frank Farley.
The seams of coal were from four to six feet thick and extended in vast areas underground to the southwest, west and northwest of the Rotary Pavilion’s current site. At first, the coal seams were horizontal, which allowed for inexpensive mining. Later the seams were extended to mine coal at deeper levels. Gus Knudsvig, a local miner, described the mine as containing four or five shafts, one of which extended almost two miles and was shored up with poplar poles.
At the deepest point, the shaft was about 80 feet below ground. Vertical shafts fitted with ladders were dug for safety and fresh air. Rails were laid at the base of the shafts, with horse-drawn wagons pulling a ten-car load inside and a five-car load outside to the tipple.