In 1872 on the western bank of the Oldman River at the present site of the Federal Mine Nicholas Sheran opened the first coal mine in Alberta. He broke his own trails, found his own markets and hauled coal by ox-team 200 miles to Fort Benton, Montana, and other distant points. Thus was founded a vital industry that has contributed greatly to the development and welfare of Western Canada.*Note: This designation has been identified for review. A review can be triggered for one of the following reasons - outdated language or terminology, absence of a significant layer of history, factual errors, controversial beliefs and behaviour, or significant new knowledge.