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Gangsters & Rumrunners in Canada

by | Dec 15, 2010 | 2023, Canada, Destinations, Entertainment, Hype, Lifestyle, Moose Jaw, North America, Saskatchewan, Travel

Gangsters & Rumrunners

Why is Moose Jaw Canada’s Most Notorious City?

To truly know, you have to visit the charming downtown area of Moose Jaw. Moose Jaw is the fourth largest city in the province, Moose Jaw is a great little city located in southern Saskatchewan. It has a lot of unique history and gets its name comes from the Cree name “moscâstani-sîpiy” which means “a warm place by the river” since the Moose Jaw River winds around the edge of the city like a hug.

The city was founded in 1882 when the Canadian Pacific Railway picked the site to establish a town. The rail connections grew when the Soo Line from Chicago added a link in 1893. These railway connections, especially to the United States, became important when Moose Jaw became a hub for bootleggers during Prohibition. This is why Moose Jaw is now known as “Canada’s Most Notorious City” due to the real possibility that Al Capone spent time hiding out in the network of tunnels beneath downtown. Moose Jaw is where the gangsters and rumrunners used to operate under the city and right under the nose of a shady police chief.

what to do in moose jaw

Explore the Notorious Underground Tunnels

Underneath the city are the tunnels once used by the notorious gangsters and rumrunners. The tunnels were built along Main Street when the buildings were first constructed.

Chinese immigrants working on the CP railroads fled underground and used these tunnels to escape the pricy head tax imposed on Chinese workers and to avoid persecution. Then, in the 1920s, when prohibition was law throughout the U.S. and Canada, the tunnels became a center for bootleggers with illegal alcohol.  

The tunnels are open all year round and there are various tours to choose from led by actors in character to really give you a feel of the history of the time. Go on a tunnel tour and learn about Capone’s time hiding out in Moose Jaw, where he’s rumored to have come when things would get too hot in Chicago.  

These tunnels have many stories, Al Capone, Chinese immigrants hide-out, it was also a Cold War Bunker in 1958.

what to do in moose jaw

Canada’s Largest Geothermal Mineral Pool

The water is naturally warm and full of minerals to ease aching muscles and is excellent for relaxing. The makeup of the mineral water is very similar to the water from the famous pools in Bath, England. It contains things like Epsom and Glauber’s Salts. 

The source of this geothermal water was accidentally discovered back in 1910 when drilling for natural gas. Instead, this source of water from what was once an ancient seabed was discovered. Now, the water travels inside an insulated pipeline from the well site about a quarter-mile away to the Spa. The temperature only drops about a degree as it travels and stays around a balmy 45°C (113°F).  

what to do in moose jaw

Visit Mac the Moose

No visit to Moose Jaw would be complete without stopping by to see Mac. You may spot the 32-foot-tall moose as you arrive in the city.

Mac was created back in 1984 as a way to entice visitors to the city, and he does a good job at that, he is one of the most photographed roadside attractions in the country!  Mac came very close to losing his title of World’s Largest Moose when a town in Norway built a slightly taller moose. The city rallied together with the help of a local comedian duo, Justin and Greg, to give Mac new antlers in 2019 to regain his title. Now when you stop by to take a photo with Mac and his new antlers, you can congratulate him on being the World’s Largest Moose once again.

Please note that I have not received these products for free or at a discounted price in exchange for my opinion.  There may be links that are affiliate links but at the time of posting this review, I have not received any monetary kickbacks.