Canol Project History

At the Norman Wells Historical Centre immerse yourself in the exciting story of the Canol Project. This was a wartime effort by the Canadian and American governments to supply oil to Alaska, from the oil fields at Norman Wells, Northwest Territories. 30,000 troops from the southern US built a rough road and a tiny pipeline, about the size of a drainpipe, 372 km across the mountains to MacMillan Pass, in the winter of 1943/1944. It was an amazing feat. Today you can sightsee along what is now a Heritage Trail, by aircraft.

The Heritage Centre features artifacts from the era, including buildings, trucks and a tiny barge and tug, as well as information on the 90 year history of oil production at Norman Wells, and construction of man-made islands in the river. The gift shop has a fine collection of arts and crafts, including moccasins made by women in nearby communities, and paintings by Bern Will Brown and other Heartland artists. The centre also offers an excellent selection of books on northern subjects.