Top 10 historical sites in British Columbia’s interior

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British Columbia’s Historical Sites

British Columbia is the most western province in Canada with the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Rocky Mountains to the east all developed by resilient people including the First Nations who settled here first. The lure of the unknown, gold, silver, forestry and a safe place to retreat to from persecution brought people of many cultures. Looking back at the history of British Columbia it is rich in stories of survival with a strong foundation created by those who made this their home. Listed below are 10 historical sites in British Columbia that represent many of those first settlers in British Columbia.



Destination BC/Kari Medig

1. Fort Steele Town ~The history of Fort Steele is very closely linked to the gold rush in the 1860’s after gold was discovered at Wild Horse Creek. This Provincial Heritage Site has over 60 restored heritage buildings and is filled with hidden treasures so take your time exploring as you step back in time.

2. The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre is a National Historic Site in the community of New Denver in British Columbia’s Kootenay area and dedicated to telling the story of over 22,000 Japanese Canadians who were forcibly relocated during World War II. The Village of New Denver sits along the shores of Slocan Lake and surrounded by the majestic Selkirk Mountains. Although the population of this community is just 500+ it’s a constant bustling beehive of activity.

3. SS Moyie – Kaslo, BC This National Historic Site of Canada is the world’s oldest intact passenger sternwheeler and one of the most significantly preserved vessels in North America. The SS Moyie can be found in the beautiful little town of Kaslo, the oldest incorporated community in the Kootenays.

4. The Last Spike – Railway Museum is located in Revelstoke and another satellite museum can be found 30 miles west of town where the actual last spike was driven in. The museum displays the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway and shows visitors how important it was to the building of Canada as a nation.

5. Doukhobor Village – Castlegar. Learn about the Doukhobor culture and their very unique lifestyle while it developed from 1908 to 1938 in this authentic reconstructed communal village. Learn more about the customs of the people and how they lived and while you are there see the petch (bread-baking oven) and the wood-fired banya (sauna) and see their methods of creating crafts and clothing during the last century.

6. Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre – Osoyoos An interpretive Centre constructed into a hillside with both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Enjoy the interactive learning opportunities while peeking inside a traditional pit house and sweat lodge or look eye-to-eye with a Western Rattlesnake. Bring your camera.

7. Hat Creek Ranch was a very important part of the transportation history in BC. This historic site near Cache Creek gives you a very rare chance to explore the original buildings that housed the Gold Rush travelers of the 1860’s. In the historic roadhouse you will find interpreters dressed in period clothing that will take you on a guided tour.

Destination BC/Blake Jorgenson

8. Barkerville ~ during the gold rush of the 1800’s thousands of prospectors raced to Barkerville in search of gold and many found it. Today, Barkerville is a booming place to visit filled with adventure. The colorful characters from the past will guide you around town, and you can watch a live show in the authentic gold rush theatre or even pan for gold yourself.

BC Heritage/Leif Grandell

9. Gitwangak Battle Hill National Historical Site near Kitwanga, BC This was a fortified village occupied in the late 1700s and early 1800s by the Gitwangak First Nation. Near Kitwanga are at least 50 totem poles to see all within an hour drive from town. There’s a map available at the Visitor Centre.




10. North Pacific Cannery – Prince Rupert This completely preserved cannery is a national historic site and was in operation for almost 100 years. Set along the river on the Inverness Passage visitors can wander amongst the buildings set on wooden piles and since most of the cannery is intact you will feel what it was like when the cannery was filled with activity.

British Columbia’s West Coast and Vancouver Island

If by chance you are able to visit the west coast of the province or Vancouver Island the following are links of historical sites worth visiting. There are many more to discover so keep your eyes open.

1. McLean Steam Sawmill – Alberni, Vancouver Island
2. Emily Carr House – Victoria, Vancouver Island
3. Craigdarroch Castle– Victoria, Vancouver Island
1. Britannia Mine Museum – North of Vancouver along the west coast
2. Vancouver China Town – Vancouver

Campgrounds near the Historical Sites

1. New Denver – http://newdenver.ca/campground-2/
2. Revelstoke – http://www.seerevelstoke.com/listings/camping/
3. Kaslo – http://www.kaslo.ca/content/kaslo-municipal-campground
4. Hat Creek Ranch – http://hatcreekranch.ca/camping/
5. Okeefe Ranch – http://okeeferanch.ca/page.php?cont_id=41

Resources

New Denver: http://newdenver.ca
Barkerville: http://www.barkerville.ca
Revelstoke: http://www.seerevelstoke.com
Prince Rupert: http://www.visitprincerupert.com
Osoyoos: http://www.destinationosoyoos.com
Castlegar: http://www.hellobc.com/castlegar.aspx

Heritage BC: http://www.heritagebc.ca/resources/heritage-tourism
Fort Steele: Fort Steele Town
The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre: The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre
SS Moyie – Kaslo: SS Moyie – Kaslo, BC
The Last Spike – Railway Museum: The Last Spike – Railway Museum
Doukhobor Village – Castlegar: Doukhobor Village
Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre – Osoyoos: Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre – Osoyoos
Hat Creek Ranch: Hat Creek Ranch
Barkerville: Barkerville
Gitwangak Battle Hill National Historical Site: Gitwangak Battle Hill National Historical Site near Kitwanga, BC
North Pacific Cannery – Prince Rupert: North Pacific Cannery – Prince Rupert



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