HISTORY

In Canyon Country you don't have to be a history lover to enjoy historical experiences. With Historical sights both beautiful and fascinating we are sure that you will find an historical experience that is intriguing to you! View some of the related historical articles and start planning your trip today.

geology

The canyon was formed during the Miocene period (23.7-5.3 million years ago) by the river cutting into the uplifting Interior Plateau. From the northern Cariboo to Fountain, the river follows the line of the huge Fraser Fault, which runs on a north-south axis and meets the Yalakom Fault a few miles downstream from Lillooet.

The Fraser Canyon Gold rush of 1858

1858 Gold Rush Fraser River Canyon In 1858 The Fraser Canyon was transformed forever when word that the banks of the Fraser River were rich with gold. Thousands of Pioneers made there way to the fierce Fraser Canyon in hopes to take home some of the riches. Hundreds of men died in there efforts as the Fraser Canyon was such a dangerous channel of water to cross. Just like the words of Simon Fraser, taken straight from his journal, "no man should ever venture through this point it was surely like passing through the gates of hell!' which he therefore named it Hells Gate. However, this could not stop these gold hungry miners to continue on, in the chance that they too could become rich like the many successful gold prospectors of that time. Small cities started to burst up everywhere in the Fraser Canyon, turning Yale BC into the largest north American city east of Chicago. After the hype had died down these communities remained rich in history. There are many places throughout Canyon Country where you can visit and learn about the Gold Rush. In Yale BC there's a Museum, Historic Church, and Pioneer Grave Yard that have all been preserved for public viewing. Gold panning may be a historic movement, but is still a common practice to this day. Historic Yale and Hells Gate Airtram both have gold panning setups where you can learn how to pan for gold and keep the precious discovery as a souvenir. Visit the Hope Visitor Information Center for more information regarding open claim spots to pan right on the Fraser River, and maybe you too can strike it rich! (Experience is Required)

aerial ferry

Original photo of the Gondola Ferry crossing from North Bend to boston bar The Aerial Ferry was constructed in 1939, officially opening to the public March 15 1940. It functioned as an aerial ferry (gondola) that suspended 1200 feet horizontally from the Cascade Mountain Range to the Coast Pacific Mountain Range. The ferry crossed over the Mighty Fraser River from Boston Bar to North Bend. The Aerial Ferry was last operated in 1986 when it was then replaced with the 'Cog Harrington Bridge' because of the increasing timber volumes and a higher demand for faster transportation. The Aerial ferry has been fully restored and open for public viewing in the Francis Harrington Park along the Trans-Canada HYW, downtown Boston Bar BC. The park is accompanied with a wide range of displays depicting the history of Boston Bar and the Fraser Canyon. Open year round and serves as an exciting and educational resting area while you visit the scenic Fraser Canyon.

Othello Tunnels

Located in the most rugged section of the Coquihalla Canyon, the Othello Tunnels in Hope British Columbia displays great history scenery and and makes a nice leisure walk through some of British Columbia's most Beautiful landscapes. In the Coquihalla engineers forged through mountain cliffs and over the raging canyon to construct a series of bridges and tunnels that blast through the rugged terrain, you can walk along the path where the Kettle Valley Railway once operated, learn about this spectacular piece of history, and view the magnificent Coquihalla Canyon.

The Hells Gate Salmon Fishways

Hells Gate Fishways

In 1917 the International Pacific Fisheries Commission was formed by Canada and the United States. Since that time, efforts have been made to improve the run of salmon to the spawning beds. This was brought about by the construction of fishways. These fishways help the salmon through the difficult sections of the Fraser River System. Fishways are now at Yale, Hell's Gate and Bridge River Rapids. The Hell's Gate Fishways were opened in 1945. Their effect on migrating salmon can be shown throughout the experience at the Quesnel Lake System. In 1941 only 1100 fish reached the spawning beds, by 1973 the number had increased to over 250,000 fish, and in 1981 this number had increased again to over 800,000 fish! These increased numbers mean to the fishermen a catch of several million fish. The survival rate of young salmon has been improved through the construction of artificial spawning channels. These are now in operation at Weaver Creek, Gates Creek, Pitt River and Nadina River. These serve the sockeye population, while a further channel at Seton Creek has been built for pinks. The Weaver Creek Channel, completed in 1965, produced, in its first five years of operation, a total catch to fishermen of over 600,000. The Fisheries Commission hopes, over time, to restore the Fraser River to its pre-1913 status as a salmon stream.

www.hellsgateairtram.com

Alexandra Provincial Park

Come walk alon the historic alexandra bridge off the Fraser Canyon Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park is a small park centered around the site of the original Caribou Wagon Road bridge over the Fraser River. The original bridge was constructed in 1861 by Joseph W. Trutch and named after Princess Alexandra of Wales. To recover the $45,000 construction cost for the 90 meter bridge, a toll of $7.40 per ton was charged. Today a second bridge, built in 1926, sits on the site of the original which was dismantled in 1912. The park was established in 1984. It provides both rest stop and picnic facilities for travelers. Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park is two kilometers north of Spuzzum and 40 km north of Hope. There is a hiking trail that can lead visitors down to the site of the old Alexandra Bridge. Part of this trail is remnant of the old highway from the 1920s. This trail is less than 1 km in length one way. Fish passing through this area to tributaries of the Fraser include Pink, Chum, Spring, Coho and Sockeye. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have the appropriate license. The park is open April 28 to October 9.

Pioneer Cemetery

The Pioneer Cemetery is the resting place to some of British Columbians earliest pioneers located off the #1 HYW in in Historic Yale, This beautiful peace of history is a lush meadow like flats overlooking the banks of the Fraser River, Although This Cemetery is a beautiful resting spot for many settlers, some of the history involving those that rest here is horrid. Locals tell the legends of tragedy And greed, a powerful poison during the Gold rush many gold rushers were murdered, and there spirits left to rest along the gold banks of the mighty Fraser. Many say because of some many tragic deaths the Cemetery is haunted! The Pioneer Cemetery is open to the public, Although it is recommended daytime visit those who dare can tour the cemetery at night a choice not recommended by locals.

first Nations Native Pictograph sites

Tuckkwhiowhum Boston Bar First Nations native pictograph sites in the Fraser Canyon

First Nations Native Pictographs Sites can be found in various locations throughout the Fraser Canyon, although most of these sites are not known to the public. The Boston Bar First Nations resort Tuckkwhiowhum which is like a Native dood ranch, Can make it possible for you to view some of these amazing links to North American history and culture. Learn interesting stories and legends as you learn and view Canadian First Nations culture in the person. The photos were provided by the Boston Bar First Nations. Current plans to open public viewing of this historic site are underway.

Kettle Valley rAILWAY

The Kettle Valley Railway was opened in 1915 and was abandoned in portions beginning in 1961, with the final segment decommissioned in 1989 The main part of the Kettle Valley Railroad started in Hope, and networked through Brookmere, Tulameen, Princeton, Summerland, Penticton, Beaverdell, Midway and terminated in Nelson. An additional branch line connected to Spences Bridge, British Columbia, and Merritt, British Columbia. The section between Merritt and Spences Bridge eventually became the main line for the railroad when the original railroad between Hope and Brookmere through the Coquihalla was abandoned due to high track maintenance costs. The Kettle Valley Railway between Merritt and Midway opened May 31, 1915 . The Kettle Valley Railway was its own entity, however, the Canadian Pacific Railway eventually took over operations of the KVR in 1931 .During the Kettle Valley Railway's lifespan through the Coquihalla it was called upon to act as "The Second Mainline" when washouts, avalanches and rock slides closed off the main CPR line through the Fraser Canyon The KVR lost a lot of its prominence when the Crowsnest Highway was constructed in 1949. However, the first portion of the railway
was not abandoned until 1961 (Coquihalla Pass). With annual snowfalls over 14 feet in this section, and avalanches, rock slides and forest fires this rail section was no longer feasible. Service after this closure was routed to Spences Bridge and Merritt in order to maintain the connection with the remainder of the line. One of the major landmarks on the former line are the Othello-Quintette Tunnels, which are lined up in a

straight line, cutting through the Coquihalla River's gorge near Hope. Andrew McCulloch, who engineered the complex series of bridges and tunnels through Coquihalla Canyon was an avid reader of Shakespeare. As a result, many of the areas in the Coquihalla Region are named after characters in Shakespearean literature, such as Iago, Romeo, Juliet, Lear, Jessica, Shylock and Portia. The othello tunnels is open during the summer months for public viewing. Another local historic site featuring the Kettle Valley Railway is the Ladner Trestle Bridge just a short drive out of Hope on the Coquihalla Highway Unlike the Othello Tunnels however this site is not maintained, and has a short but semi difficult trail to access this site. Lander Trestle Bridge Gallery

Chinese history in British Columbia Canada

After the Chinese were brought over to Canada to build the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) many were left on the banks of the Fraser River. To survive the Chinese became miners and built large trenches and dugouts used to mine jade and gold. These dugouts span the river banks in the Fraser Canyon from Lytton to Hope British Columbia. These sights are largely unknown and under appreciated as significant historic landmarks and amazing links to Chinese Canadian history.

Spuzzum

Spuzzum BC a small community almost non-existent these days, made famous for the T-shirt "Where the Heck is Spuzzum?" This small community between the Alexandra Suspension Bridge, and Yale BC was once a popular tourist stop in the 50's,60's,70's, Even hosting there very own Playboy Bunny Restaurant. Since The Spuzzum era was at its highest most of the community has burnt down, including the road side service station which burnt down 10 years ago. Now there is really nothing left, not even a road sign. 30 years later the T-Shirt that helped made this roadside attraction popular really has a meaning now, Where the Heck is Spuzzum! Start Planning your trip to the Fraser Canyon today! Can you find Spuzzum?

Lady Franklin

The Lady Franklin is a The Lady Franklin Fraser Canyon Yale BC beautiful large rock, or one might say a island in the middle of the Fraser River in Hope BC. This Rock... Island was named after Lady Jane Franklin, Husband of Sir John Franklin an early explorer who loved this area so much This Beautiful Area is along the Old Caribou Wagon Trail. To get there drive along the Trans-Canada HYW east bound through Yale, across the small bridge take for first right, and fallow the road that runs along side the Fraser River for a couple minutes. This is a great spot to stop for a picnic.

old Alexandra lodge

Old Alexandra Lodge

Since 1858 there has always been a lodge or road house at the Chapman's Sandbar in the Fraser Canyon. This is only 4 years earlier of when the caribou wagon train was opened Originally it was thought that this building dated to 1864 and in the 1970's it was designated as the second most historic building in British Columbia, although it still remains a controversy weather or not sections of the lodge was indeed apart of the 1864 structure the Provincial Government Removed its historical status 10 years later. It is said that the current building was the third lodge constructed in the 1920's Currently this historic lodge is being used as a residence as it awaits restoration hopefully in the future. This site is located on the Trans Canada HYW on the east side of the Alexandra Provincial Park.

kilby museum and historic site

Kilby Historic Site a 1920s Fraser Valley living history site with costumed interpreters. This 5 acre BC Heritage attraction includes our 1906 General Store Museum, Manchester House Hotel & Post Office, as well as friendly farm animals and orchard playground. Visit our home-style restaurant and unique gift shop. Open Daily 11am - 5pm, May to September and Thursday to Monday 11 am to 4 pm in April, September, October, November and December. Harrison Mills is also home to the Kilby Park, located within walking distance of the historic site at the confluence of both the Fraser and Harrison rivers, on Harrison Bay. The park features our scenic 22 site campground, a day use area, sandy beaches, nature trails and a boat launch which is open year. For more information regarding group tours and school programming call 604-796-9576 or visit www.kilby.ca. Kilby is located thirty minutes east of Mission or west of Harrison Hot Springs on scenic Highway 7 at 215 Kilby Road, Harrison Mills V0M 1L0.

aSHCROFT OPERA HOUSE

TEMPORARILY CLOSED. Visit the Historic Ashcroft Opera House in downtown Ashcroft. Built in 1889, The Ashcroft Opera House hosts a fabulous International vegetarian buffet and presents dinner concerts and dinner theater. Be delighted by the incredible acoustics, the rustic elegance, the intimate atmosphere and Martin's culinary creations. An evening to be remembered The Ashcroft Opera House takes Reservations and welcomes Walk-Ins. The Opera House is great for groups, families and couples. Ashcroft Opera House also offers Catering, Waiter Service, and Outdoor Seating. Located in Ashcroft British Columbia. Visit the Ashcroft or Cache Creek Visitor Information for details.