A century later and Maligne Lake is still quite the draw.

More than 200 people attended Saturday’s celebration of 100 years of tourism at Maligne Lake, including Premier El Stelmach and a collection of officials who told the story of explorer Mary Schaffer.

Pat Crowley, general manager of Maligne Tours, said Schaffer arrived at Maligne Lake in 1908. “Of course the First Nations knew about it and told her about it, and she went out on the trail for the entire summer,” she said. “It was a very odd thing for a woman to be doing at that time.”

Crowley added the weekend event turned out perfectly. “The weather cooperated, our staff did a fabulous job and the food was wonderful,” she said.

A live auction to benefit the Yellowhead Museum and Archives raised $18,400 by selling items such as a package to Fantasyland Hotel, a family pass to Marmot Basin, as well as a package to stay at a Fairmont Hotel in Bermuda.

A plaque was set outside the Maligne Lake Cabin and Prime Minister Stephen Harper sent a letter of congratulations in honour of the anniversary.