Dead Man’s Flats Real Estate
Dead Man's Flats is a small hamlet located just east of Canmore in the Municipal District of Bighorn No.8. In terms of Canmore's real estate market, the area has seen an influx of new development recently. This development has provided homeowners with pristine mountain living at the river's bend, sleek modern styling and, perhaps most importantly, the easiest commute to Calgary and the Calgary International Airport.
Popular real estate developments in Dead Mans Flats include: Copperstone Resort, Pigeon Creek Condos, River's Bend and Skogan Court. Scroll down to view all active MLS listings.
Dead Man’s Flats MLS® Listings:
Originally, the hamlet was actually called "Pigeon Mountain Service Centre" and consisted primarily of what is now known as the Husky Service Station and several small hotels. However, in 1985, the municipality recognized that for decades locals had been referring to the area as "Dead Man's Flats" and voted to change the name in an effort to increase tourism. While vacationers did not necessarily start flocking to the distinctively named hamlet, in 1992 the first residential apartment complex was constructed. Other dwellings have been added to the area since, and a 2011 census indicated that there were 121 permanent residents in the area. That said, the addition of the River's Bend Development at Skogan Court has more than likely nearly tripled that number.
There are a variety of stories behind the unusual name, but the version most often talked about among locals is that of the 2 trappers caught illegally trapping beaver on the flats of the Bow River, which at the time was part of the National Park. The 2 men had noticed the warden approaching and knew they did not have time to escape. Rather than face prosecution they quickly covered themselves in beaver blood and pretended to be dead. The warden, fooled by their deception, immediately left the area to get help and the men were able to escape with their ill-gotten furs.
The name has received mixed reviews over the years, and in 2014 one of the residents submitted a request to the Municipality of Bighorn to have it changed to something a little more pleasant. While the movement seemed to gain a bit of momentum, Councilors ultimately voted unanimously to keep the name to honour the area's history.