The Old Banff Cemetery, also known as the Banff Town Cemetery, is located at the south end of Grizzly Street in Banff within Banff National Park, Alberta. In 1890, baby Adelia Woodworth became one of the first Banff residents laid to rest here. J. E. Malloy, a stonemason, shaped many early monuments, including the Brett Mausoleum and the Rawlins Monument. The Brett Mausoleum, standing 12 feet high, boasts a locally sourced grey Rundlestone roof and polished marble interior. The Rawlins Monument features intricate carvings of mountain scenery, a tribute to Banff’s rugged landscape.

The cemetery also served the nearby Bankhead mining community. Mourners would trek nearly nine kilometers on foot, often preceded by the Bankhead Mine Band, to bury their dead. As of 2024, over 2,500 souls find their eternal rest here. Mary Schaffer Warren, a pioneering female mountaineer, once lived opposite the cemetery. Initially skeptical, she grew to appreciate it as a “place of rest and kindly neighbors.” A Crag and Canyon article declared it “the nicest cemetery in Canada.

The tombstones bear the names of Banff’s historic figures and community builders. Yet, mingled among them are those whose tales remain unknown. To celebrate this history, walking tours occasionally wind through the cemetery. The local Whyte Museum has produced an accompanying booklet, emphasizing that “when you share a cemetery, you are part of a community, and differences fade away.” Indeed, the Old Banff Cemetery reflects not only the people but also the soul of Banff itself — a place where nature and heritage intertwine.

Deaths

Longevity

Address

604 Buffalo Street
Nearest Populated Centre: Banff,
Province: Alberta

Map Location

Latitude, Longitude
51.17396, -115.56533

Map Location

Search for:
RESET
Surname Given Name Born Died Age Photo(s) Cemetery Obituary Narrative R Code

The 25 most common surnames found in this cemetery.

loader

The 25 most common given names found in this cemetery.

loader

Other Cemeteries

Eventide Cemetery (Wheatland County)

Hwy 547 , Gleichen , Alberta

Knoll Cemetery (Michichi, Starland County)

Township Road 31-0 E of Highway 849 , Michichi , Alberta

Little Plume Cemetery (Cypress County)

Eagle Butte Rd (Range Rd 51) and Twp Rd 100 , South of Dunmore , Alberta

Eagle Valley Cemetery (Mountain View County)

4455 Twp Rd 340 , Sundre , Alberta

Albion Ridge Cemetery (Lethbridge County)

Range Rd 22-2 & Twp Rd 12-0 , Barons , Alberta

Highland Cemetery (Vulcan County)

Twp Rd 24 south of Rge Rd 542 , Vulcan , Alberta

Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood Cemetery (Vulcan County)

Rge Rd 225 south of Twp Rd 205 , Arrowwood , Alberta

Peace Lutheran Cemetery (Cypress County)

Twp Rd 162 and Rge Rd 14 , Schuler , Alberta

Hilda Seventh Day Adventist Cemetery (Cypress County)

Twp Rd 182 & Rge Rd 13 , Hilda , Alberta

Goddard Cemetery (Forty Mile County)

Township Road 121 and Range Road 50 , Foremost , Alberta

Discover Alberta Ancestors