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Home , Bulkley River, Gitanyow, Gitxsan, Glen Vowell, Hazelton (sternwheeler), Kitselas Canyon

FOLLOW THE Hands of History Follow the “Hands of History”…

The Hazeltons,

Muldoe Road (Muldoon Rd) Welcome to one of British your pace, the tour will Kispiox Rodeo Grounds

Columbia’s most historic take 4 to 8 hours. (Dean Road) and scenic areas. Immerse Seventeen Mile Road Kispiox River The route is described in yourself in centuries of Date Creek two segments, each com- Forest Service Rd culture and Rd mencing at the Visitor learn dramatic tales of River pioneer settlement by taking the “Hands of His- GITANYOW - Hand of History Sign location KISPIOX tory” self-guided driving (Kitwancool) tour. The Tour is marked - Tour part 1 Gitanyow Road - Tour part 2 by a series of distinctive - Tourism feature “Hand of History” sign- 37 Kispiox Valley Rd posts. Each of these mark- N ers displays a River design of peace, an open GITANMAAX hand, and a short de- TWO MILE Ksan Bulkey River HAGWILGET scription of a person, his- Provincial Park SOUTH Six Mile Lake torical event, or landform HAZELTON Hazelton-Kitwanga Backroad NEW Bulkey River that played an important Ross Lake Rd (Road ends here) HAZELTON part in the history of the Braucher Rd KITWANGA Kitwanga Fort National Historic Site Seeley Lake Upper Skeena region. Provincial Park 16

The entire Tour covers To Terrace GITWANGAK To Moricetown 150 miles or 240 kilome- and Smithers tres but is easily modifi ed 16 Skeena Crossing Rd to fi t your schedule and Skeena Crossing interests. Depending on GITSEGUKLA (Kitseguecla) Follow the “Hands of History”…

The Hazeltons, British Columbia Centre on Highway 16 in Points of interest in the . The fi rst itinerary in this brochure segment takes you across marked with a are the the heights of Hagwilget location of a “Hand of Canyon Bridge, to the History” plaque. There riverfront, pioneer com- are many scenic places we munity of Hazelton, to have not highlighted in ‘Ksan Historical Village & this guide, so feel free to Museum and into Kispiox stop along the route for a Village and its display of picnic, photo or explora- totem poles. The second tion. Enjoy your adven- part of the Tour follows ture. You will not be dis- the Skeena River west- appointed! ward, directing you to the Muldoe Road totems at Gitanyow and (Muldoon Rd) Gitwangak, past historic Kispiox Rodeo Grounds

churches and to Kitwan- (Dean Road)

ga Fort National Historic Seventeen Mile Road Kispiox River Site. Date Creek Forest Service Rd Swan Lake Rd

Skeena River

GITANYOW - Hand of History Sign location KISPIOX (Kitwancool) - Tour part 1 Gitanyow Road - Tour part 2 - Tourism feature 37 Kispiox Valley Rd GLEN VOWELL

N Kitwanga River

GITANMAAX HAZELTON TWO MILE Ksan Bulkey River HAGWILGET Ross Lake Provincial Park SOUTH Six Mile Lake HAZELTON Hazelton-Kitwanga Backroad NEW Ross Lake Rd Bulkey River (Road ends here) HAZELTON Braucher Rd KITWANGA Kitwanga Fort National Historic Site Seeley Lake Provincial Park 16

To Terrace GITWANGAK To Moricetown Skeena River and Smithers

16 Skeena Crossing Rd Skeena Crossing

GITSEGUKLA (Kitseguecla) Part 1:Part Hazelton/’Ksan/Kispiox Valley with wood and telegraph wood and with ropewood later and and span builtsuspended with acentral with bridge ver revealbridges acantile- images of aboriginal the Earlyat location. this bridges aboriginal historic in also the is shown ity complex-Engineering for automobile traffi c. Bridge was narrow too Craddock The bridge. of current the north are visible 30 metres for Craddock the Bridge footingswood. Concrete built of wrought iron and bridge,also asuspension Craddockby &Company, in 1912 constructed one replaced bridge This ada. in Can- bridge suspension it was highest time the the At Alexander Carruthers. in 1932 by designed and wilget Bridge was opened Hag- contemporary The 15. 14. 13. N 12. 11. Elementa 10. 9. bankmachine 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. publicwashrooms 1. the Hazeltonsthe 2010, GSC) cesses. (Geotour Guide for steeply geological by pro- of harders sandstone, tilted River are composed of lay- canyon walls of Bulkley the ing; www.rdks.bc.ca) The wire. Consult- (Cedarwood Via Rail tenniscourt BulkleyValleyCreditUnion/ AllenMunicipalPark hikingtrailsstart of District RCMPolice New Hazelton CanadaPost gasstation/bankmachine Greyhoundbusdepot HagwilgetCanyonBridge HagwilgetChurch RoyalBank/bankmachine Hazeltons Visitor Centre/ ew Hazelton Office ry School ry Eagle Down Trail 4 16

Canadian National Railway 62 2

Pioneer Rd Pioneer Church Rd Church 3 NEW HAZELTON 1 15th 14th 13th Churchill 12th 9th Ave. HAGWILGET 11th

Pugsley St. 5 11 10th Ave.

Fielding St. 6 12

Bowser St. 10 7 Wetland Trail 9

McLeod St. 8

Kelly St. Kelly

Templeman St. Outlook Trail Templeman 13

Laurier St 14 6th 15 McBride

McBride St 12th Ave. 7th Ave. 9th Ave. 8th Ave. Oliver St Part 1:Part Hazelton/’Ksan/Kispiox Valley 15.ViaRail 14.AllenMunicipalPark 13.hikingtrailsstart New Hazelton Office of 12.District 11.RCMPolice School Elementary 10.New Hazelton 9.tenniscourt bankmachine 8.BulkleyValleyCreditUnion/ 7.CanadaPost 6.gasstation/bankmachine 5.Greyhoundbusdepot 4.HagwilgetCanyonBridge 3.HagwilgetChurch 2.RoyalBank/bankmachine publicwashrooms 1.Hazeltons Visitor Centre/ Eagle DownTrail displays and artifacts. displays and of photo use the through duces region’s the history museum” that intro- look “mini at upstairs the mation have Centre a inside Infor- the When fihistory. in local gures of these importance the plaques explain which brass marked with are Horse Packer Logger and of Statues aMiner,tre. Travelregional Infocen- our as that serves ing log build- distinctive the New Hazelton at in Start CENTRE HAZELTONS VISITOR 0 0/Mile KM before crossing the the before crossing paved the in Park area BRIDGE TURNOUT HAGWILGET 1.5/Mile .9 KM onto left Highway 62. turn From Visitor the Centre, 4 16

Canadian National Railway 62 2

Pioneer Rd Pioneer Church Rd Church 3 NEW HAZELTON 1 15th 14th 13th Churchill 12th 9th Ave. HAGWILGET 11th

Pugsley St. 5 11 10th Ave.

Fielding St. 6 12 and the Bridge. the and Peak of Hagwilget views for taken spectacular be can trail another street bridge.the Across the side of downstream to the area parking the Trails descend here from for motorhomes. large may too small be area bridge.the Note: this just across area parking Turn into small left the HAGWILGET VIEWPOINT 1.1 1.8/Mile KM people”. ty, “gentle means or quiet Wet’suwet’en communi- river’s a edge. Hagwilget, youtake to down the that will of atrail ning begin- the is turnout the from uphill distance River. Ashort Bulkley the (260 feet)metres above 1932in 80 soars and built was span current ofnumber bridges. The a with since antiquity crossed yon been has Can- bridge. Hagwilget

Bowser St. 10 7 Wetland Trail 9

McLeod St. 8

Kelly St. Kelly

Templeman St. Outlook Trail Templeman 13

Laurier St 14 6th 15 McBride

McBride St 12th Ave. 7th Ave. 9th Ave. 8th Ave. Oliver St

13 12 Strathern Rd 62

Eagle Down Trail Swannell Dr. To Kispiox Valley Kispiox To

Wiggins Way

Kispiox Valley Road HAZELTON Skeena River St 11 Poplar

Omineca St Bay St Cottonwood GovernmentPack Train St Trail 5 SkeenaGITANMAAX Rd Hazelton/ Totem Rd orest Rd 4 Field St 10 Halliday St Rd Forest HAZELTON 3 8 Willow Drive 6 9 Gitanmaax Omineca Hankin Middle 1.’Ksan Historic Village & Museum Hilltop 7 Clifford Juniper Lane 2.‘Ksan Campground Ferry Rd 3. Hazelton Library/Museum Wrinch Rd 4. Bastion Park/public washroom Bench Rd Rd 5. Saint Peter’s Anglican Church

Trail John Field River Road Centre St 6. Village of Hazelton Office River Edge Cunningham St 7. Gitanmaax Band Office Biernes St Medeek 8. Post 2 9. Gitanmaax Hall 10. gas station/bank machine 1 11. Wrinch Memorial Hospital ’Ksan 12. Hazelton Secondary School 13. Skeena Ice Arena

KM 3.2/Mile 2.0 TWO MILE This community got its name as a place that was “two miles” from Hazel- ton. Two Mile was his- torically the home of the lawless and luckless who for many reasons were banned from Hazelton city limits. road is narrow, so please choose pull-out spots Continue down High- carefuly way 62. The road enters Gitanmaax, which means KM 7.6/Mile 4.7 “people who harvest ‘KSAN TURNOFF using torches”. Just after a sharp right hand curve, turn left KM 7.0/Mile 4.3 off Highway 62. Keep VIEW ROCHE DE BOULE to your left to reach the MOUNTAIN RANGE parking lot. Look to the left for excel- lent views of Roche de KM 7.9/Mile 4.9 Boule Mountain Range, ‘KSAN PARKING LOT French for “falling rocks”. Internationally renowned (Gitxsan name – Ste- ‘Ksan Historical Vil- kyooden, which means lage and Museum was “stand alone”) The opened in 1970 as a place 13 Roche de Boule Moun- 12 Strathern Rd 62 tains and the confl u- Eagle Down Trail ence of the Bulkley and Swannell Dr.

To Kispiox Valley Kispiox To Skeena Rivers.

Wiggins Way KM 8.2/Mile 5.1 Exit ‘Ksan the way you

Kispiox Valley Road HAZELTON entered and turn left. Skeena River St 11 Poplar

Omineca St Bay St Cottonwood GovernmentPack Train St Trail KM 8.8/Mile 5.5 5 SkeenaGITANMAAX Rd Hazelton/ Entry to “OLD Totem Rd 4 Field St 10 Rd Forest Halliday St TOWN HAZELTON”. HAZELTON 3 8 Willow Drive 6 9 Gitanmaax At next stop sign, turn Omineca Hankin Middle 1.’Ksan Historic Village & Museum Hilltop right, proceed one block, 7 Clifford 2.‘Ksan Campground Juniper Lane and turn left towards the Ferry Rd 3. Hazelton Library/Museum Wrinch Rd 4. Bastion Park/public washroom river. Bench Rd Rd 5. Saint Peter’s Anglican Church

Trail John Field River Road Centre St 6. Village of Hazelton Office KM 9.1/Mile 5.7 River Edge Cunningham St 7. Gitanmaax Band Office Park near the replica of a Biernes St Medeek 8. Canada Post Skeena . 2 Bulkley River 9. Gitanmaax Hall 10. gas station/bank machine Welcome to one of the 1 11. Wrinch Memorial Hospital ’Ksan oldest pioneer com- 12. Hazelton Secondary School 13. Skeena Ice Arena munities in BC, established in 1866 where Gitxsan (means at the confl uence of “People of the Skeena”) the Skeena and Bulkley and Wet’suwet’en First Rivers. The name “Ha- Nations culture could be zelton” is attributed to preserved and shared. one-time Hudson’s Bay The facility includes a Company employee museum, traditional and local businessman, totems, longhouses, an Thomas Hankin, after excellent gift shop and the hazel bushes found tours. Within walking in this area. Into the distance is ‘Ksan cam- 1900s Hazelton was a pround and RV park. booming supply and ad- Call (250) 842-5544 for ministrative centre and ‘Ksan hours or check the furthest point up- at the Visitor Centre. stream could Be sure to take a short travel from the coast on 300 metre walk down the trail marked by the “VIEWPOINT” signpost for a spectacular view of the Skeena River (which KM 16.2/Mile 10.1 means “river of the OUTLAW TERRITORY mists” or “cloud water”). Turnout on right. In 1902, Simon Gunanoot A recommended start- was accused with his ing point is the Hazelton brother-in-law of murder- Pioneer Museum, located ing two men after a beer in the library building. hall argument. Simon This interpretative cen- evaded capture and spent tre gives you a concise the next 12 years as the picture of the events and most celebrated fugitive people that shaped the in British Columbia his- region. tory. In 1914 Simon Gu- After you have toured the nanoot surrendered and museum, enjoy more of was shortly thereafter the community’s heri- acquitted of all charges. tage by wandering past His story has become the restored buildings, a celebrated legend of structures and monu- wilderness survival and ments in the downtown triumph. area. These include St. Continue up the Kispiox Peter’s Anglican Church, Road. dating from the 1880s, Hazelton Landing on the KM 16.6/Mile 10.3 riverfront, machinery FOUR MILE BRIDGE (also recovered from a stern- known as Anlaw – Gitan- wheeler, and a steam maax Reserve) ‘donkey engine,’ used to The Four Mile Bridge winch large logs from the crosses the Skeena River. forest. Interpretive signs After the , are placed around town the Skeena is the second or better still, in season, largest river entirely situ- join a free walking tour ated in British Columbia. at the tourist information During summer months kiosk just upstream from native fi shing nets can the replica riverboat. be seen either side of the Public washrooms are bridge span. also located in the kiosk. Continue on the Kispiox Leave Hazelton the way Road. Soon after the you came in. Proceed bridge, look for the gravel past the entry to ‘Ksan, road heading uphill. and up Highway 62 to- On your return from wards Two Mile. Kispiox Village and the KM 11.5/Mile 7.1 Kispiox Valley, this is the KISPIOX ROAD JUNCTION Kitwanga Backroad you Turn left at the Kispiox will be taking. (Closed Road junction (ESSO – to through traffi c since Gitanmaax Food & Fuel). 20 07.) This paved road leads Continue on the paved to scenic views, Kispiox Kispiox Road. Village and the Kispiox Valley. Proceed up the Kispiox Road. KM 20.5/Mile 12.7 reminder of the mission- GLEN VOWELL VILLAGE ary era when different (Gitxsan name: Sik-e-da- religious denominations kh, which means “bright competed for converts lights behind mountain.” amongst residents of the Glen Vowell is named Upper Skeena region. after a land surveyor) KM 22.2/Mile 13.8 Turn right on the paved Turn left immediately road at the Glen Vowell past the church and pro- Village sign, drive slowly, ceed back towards entry as there are two speed to the village. bumps. Glen Vowell is a small Gitxsan commu- KM 22.8/Mile 14.2 nity alongside the Skeena Turn right onto access River. road, proceed back to Kispiox Road. KM 21.7/Mile 13.5 Continue past the dis- tinctive Victorian style Band Administration building on the right. KM 22.0/Mile 13.7 At the end of the road, turn left at the “T” inter- section. KM 22.2/Mile 13.8 GLEN VOWELL SALVA- TION ARMY CHURCH Glen Vowell was founded in 1898 by Kispiox Vil- lage residents who had become members of the Salvation Army. This heritage building is a

Peter Brown Drive

Kispiox Valley Road . res Kispio C n s. o a-Y Cre s g Skeena River p a M Si m k a x - x River ( e S a 4 G - d r le a M James Woods n kh u V R h Place

o t a r

ow d A e A ll V illa ge Road) 1 2 3 49 Glen Vowell (Sik-E-Dakh) 1. Sik-E-Dakh Health Station 2. Glen Vowell Band Office 3. Glen Vowell Recreation Area 4. Salvation Army Church

KM 23.8/Mile 14.8 here relates the story KISPIOX ROAD. of Fort Stager, part of Turn right onto Kispiox a failed attempt in the Road. 1860s to build a tele- graph line to Europe via KM 25.6/Mile 15.9 the Bering Strait, through FARLEIGH’S MARKET Asia. GARDEN During the summer With about 600 resi- months the Farleigh dents, Kispiox is a large family operates the best Gitxsan community vegetable farm in North- located at the confl u- western B.C. Feel free ence of the Kispiox and to stop and stock up on Skeena Rivers. Kispiox is fresh produce. renowned for its master carvers, totems and sce- KM 28.1/Mile 17.5 nic setting. Across from KISPIOX RIVER BRIDGE the hatchery parking lot Cross this wooden bridge is a line of 16 extraor- over the famed Kispiox dinary totems. It is also River. This river has a a short walk from the worldwide reputation for hatchery to the riverside. its very large Steelhead Trout. Return the way you came to the Kispiox Road. KM 28.4/Mile 17.6 The basic unit of Gitx- KISPIOX VILLAGE san society is the House (Anspayaxw which or Wilp, which corre- means “People of the sponds with a territory Hiding Place”) and is led by a heredi- Turn right at the fi rst tary chief. The Gitxsan road past the distinctive are organized into four Kispiox Band Adminis- clans: Lax Gibuu (Wolf), tration building on the Lax Seel/Ganeda (Frog), right. Proceed down the Giskaast (Fireweed) and gravel road. Lax Skiik (Eagle). It is KM 28.9/Mile 18 a matrilineal society, KISPIOX TOTEMS meaning members trace Park in the large gravel lineage through their parking area in front mothers. Wilp history is and to the side of the old recorded on totem poles. Fish Hatchery building. (www.gitxsan.com) A Hand of History sign KM 29.4/Mile 18.3 KISPIOX ROAD Turn right and continue up the Kispiox Valley. The Kispiox Valley is home to 500 people who live on farms and large acreages. Con- structed in the time of the Klondike Gold Rush, the Yukon Telegraph line, which stretched between Ashcroft and Kispiox Village 1. Kispiox Band Office 2. Kispiox Salmon Hatchery 3. totem poles 4. camping area 5. Pierce Memorial United Church 6. Kispiox Community Centre 7. gas bar 8. fire hall 49

x Valley Road KispioxKispi ValleyToomitts Road St

Lax Guu Tikw Way

John Crosby Drive Willow Ave ve ri ve x D ri ak Birch Ave N Spruce St 8 D Pine Ave e Kispiox River aa l H ag E m M i a d r Foster Ave i y g Bl i ackwa S ter Drive Barnes Cres.

Poplar St Commercial Drive

FrontageFrontage St 7 Drop In Way

1

at y

Fritz Ave

Lax See’l St

Sim Gii Gyat Ave. Gyat G Gii Gii Sim Sim

Lax Gibuu StreetGunanoot Avenue An-gol Drive An-gol 6 49

Shaman Ave Giskaast St

2 3 Pierce Ave 5 Totem Drive 4 Skeena River

Return back down the Kispiox Road the way you came towards Atlin, extended north- Hazelton. At this point ward through the Kispiox you can either return to Valley. The line operated Hazelton and/or High- from 1900 to 1936, and way 16, or continue with provided employment for the “Hands of History” local ranchers and pack- adventure. ers who supplied isolated For those who wish telegraph operators. The to complete the entire Kispiox Valley is now tour, proceed down the known for its pleasant Kispiox Road to the inter- rural lifestyle. section at the Kitwanga KM 41.6/Mile 25.9 Backroad (Hazelton-Kit- KISPIOX RODEO wanga Road). GROUNDS/ KM 60.9/Mile 37.8 COMMUNITY HALL KITWANGA BACKROAD Perhaps take a walk on Turn a sharp right and the grounds and to the drive uphill along the river. It is here where the scenic back road towards annual KISPIOX VALLEY Kitwanga. (This turn RODEO is held the fi rst may not be feasible for weekend in June and the large motorhomes.) The annual KISPIOX VALLEY Kitwanga Backroad is a MUSIC FESTIVAL, the gravel road but main- last weekend in July. tained to high standards. KM 66.2-63.4/Mile its tormentors and who 41.1-41.3 is responsible for our HAZELTON OVERLOOK knowledge of this story Excellent views of Hazel- today. Geological investi- ton, the Skeena River and gations suggest a mas- Roche de Boule Moun- sive debris fl ow occurred tains (Stekyooden Peak). on nearby Chicago Creek Please pull as far off the about 3500 years ago. road as possible if you KM 74.5/Mile 46.3 stop to take photos. TEMLAHAM Continue on the Back- Look for the plaque and road. gravel turn-off on left. Temlaham (Prairie Town) A famous legend of the fi gures in legend after relates how legend of the Tsimshian, the village of Temlaham Haida, , and in the Skeena Valley Gitxsan peoples. This was destroyed when “paradise lost” is the mountain goats caused legendary birthplace of a landslide that killed all northern Northwest all but one man. The Coast aboriginal nations. destruction was punish- This is a great place for a ment for the maltreat- picnic or a stroll down to ment of a baby goat by the river. Farms in this the children. The lone area take advantage of survivor was the one some of the best climate person who fi nally res- in Northwestern British cued the baby goat from Columbia – 19 inches of gravel Hazelton-Kit- rain a year and a warm wanga Road by turning southern exposure. right off Highway 37, 6.7 kilometres north of the The Kitwanga Backroad junction with Highway is closed a few kilometres 16 at Kitwanga. This further along. Congratu- sign tells of the colour- lations on completing ful mining history of the the fi rst part of the tour. area and shows where Return the way you came former mines are located on the Backroad and above Carnaby. The turn right at the Kispiox second sign is west along Road to return to Ha- Highway 16 at Cedar- zelton, New Hazelton or vale, towards Terrace. Highway 16. At Cedarvale, mission- KM 97.8/Mile 60.1 ary Robert Thomlinson HAZELTONS VISITOR founded a religious com- CENTRE munity called Minskin- End of Part 1 of the Tour. ish in the late 1800s. A very pleasant 2.2 km More Adventures: More detour off the highway is determined travel- worth taking at Cedar- lers can fi nd two other vale. Stay on this road, Hands of History Signs Cedarvale Ferry Road, in the area not men- as it returns to the high- tioned in this itinerary. way a short distance to One sign about mining the south. is accessed along the Part 2: Skeena Valley/Kitwanga Fort/Gitanyow

KM 0/Mile 0 on a 15 minute drive HAZELTONS VISITOR along the Stewart Cassiar CENTRE Highway 37 to Gitanyow Starting at the Visitor (Kitwancool). The Hands Centre in New Hazelton, of History stops of inter- this segment of the tour est are described from heads westward follow- Gitanyow back towards ing the Skeena River and our starting point in New CN rail line and north Hazelton.

To Highway 37 North Gitanyow

(Kitwancool) K i tw a n 1. totems/museum c oo l 2. gas bar & convenience store Rd 5 3. Gitanyow Band Office 4. soccer field 5. Gitanyow Health Clinic

Fourth 4

t ee Williams Str 37 Third Ave. 3

Church Rd Fourth 2 Second Ave. 1 First Ave.

southto to Highway Kitwanga 37, Part 2: Skeena Valley/Kitwanga Fort/Gitanyow

From the Visitor Centre, KM 64.2/Mile 39.9 exit the parking area and GITANYOW TURN-OFF turn right onto Highway (also known as “Kitwan- 16 (towards Kitwanga cool”) Gitanyow means and Terrace). “place of many numbers” – Turn left past the GIT- KM 43.1/Mile 26.8 ANYOW ACCESS ROAD STEWART-CASSIAR sign and proceed into HIGHWAY 37 JUNCTION the village. The totems of – At the Petro-Canada Gitanyow are reputed to gas station, turn right be the most artistic and on this paved highway creative examples of the and proceed north 21 carvers art. kilometres (13 miles) to Gitanyow Village (Kit- KM 65.9/Mile 41.0 wancool). The Stewart- Cross the small bridge Cassiar Highway offers over Kitwancool River, remarkable natural sights stay to the right as you en route to Stewart and enter the community. beyond to the Yukon and In August and Septem- Alaska. Traveller informa- ber, look for spawning tion is available at the salmon in the river. Hazeltons Visitor Centre KM 66.6/Mile 41.4 or visit www.stewartcas- GITANYOW TOTEMS siar.com. Turn right off the road just past the fi re hydrant, park in large open area to the side of the cedar carving shed. It is almost impossible to describe the magic of the Gitanyow totems. Per- haps it is the isolation of the village or the sound of the Kitwancool River in the background…or maybe it is the power of seeing more than 20 towering sculptures that display images that are truly of another world. It defend territory. Excava- is worth taking time to tions at this site have wander amongst these found evidence of intri- timeless sentinels of cate fortifi cations, log Northwest Coast culture. bastions and remnants of food and cooking uten- Return to the highway sils. infor- the way you came. mation panels are placed KM 69.0/Mile 42.9 on the short path to the STEWART-CASSIAR hilltop fort site. HIGHWAY JUNCTION KM 84.9/Mile 52.8 Turn right and proceed HISTORIC SAINT back down the way you SAVIOUR’S ANGLICAN came (approx. 14.5 kilo- CHURCH metres). KM 85.4/Mile 53.1 KM 83.5/Mile 51.9 KITWANGA KITWANGA JUNCTION A stop for food and gas Turn right at signs mark- ing the exit to Kitwanga. KM 86.0/Mile 53.4 STEWART-CASSIAR Kitwanga Fort (Battle HIGHWAY JUNCTION Hill) commemo- Turn right. rates the history of a “Daa’ootsip,” or fortifi ed KM 89.4/Mile 55.6 village that was occupied CEDARVALE-KITWANGA by the Gitwangak dur- ROAD ing the late 1700s and An optional side-trip is early 1800s. From this to turn right onto the hilltop stronghold, the Cedarvale-Kitwanga warrior chief ‘Nekt led Road. After approximate- a series of raids against ly 9 kilometres spec- neighbouring First Na- tacular vistas across the tions. The stronghold Skeena River and to the was attacked twice by 2500 metre high Seven warriors seeking revenge Sisters Mountains come for ‘Nekt’s attacks. Both into view. This is mostly times the Gitwangak a gravel road and not defeated the attackers by recommended for large rolling spiked logs upon motorhomes. them. (Parks Canada KM 89.9/Mile 55.9 brochure) GITWANGAK TOTEMS KM 84.3/Mile 52.4 ACCESS (Gitwangak, KITWANGA FORT means “people of the NATIONAL HISTORIC place of rabbits”) SITE (BATTLE HILL) Turn left onto paved On your right, this road immediately be- National Historical Site fore Skeena River Bridge preserves the legendary (Bridge Street). fortress of ‘NEKT. The KM 90.0/Mile 55.59 Gitxsan constructed a ST. PAUL’S ANGLICAN number of trails that CHURCH connected their villages. Turn left into parking lot. At strategic trail or river The distinctive church locations, forts were built constructed in 1893 is to control trade and Kitwanga/Gitwangak 1. Kitwanga Fort (Battle Hill) National Historic Site 2. Saint Saviour’s Anglican Church 3. Post Office Hazelton- 4. Centennial Park Kitwanga 5. gas station Back Road 6. Kitwanga community playground

7. sports fields Elsworth Rd El 8. Gitwangak Community Hall 1 Meek Rd 9. Gitwangak Band Office/Fire Hall Mou ntain vie 10. Saint Paul’s Anglican Church w 11. totem poles D School Rd 12. gas station/bank machine KITWANGA 2 3 4 Home Rd Nelson Rd 5 6

C Barcalow Rd Barcalow e siar High d as wa oad -C y Kitwanga North Rd b nshi ld R a rt o e e rva a H le w GITWANGAK -K e i t Doll Rd tw S an 7 ga 8 9 Kitwanga West 37

Ferry Rd 10 Bridge St. 11 Skeena River 12 16

yet another reminder return towards the bridge of the missionary past. and highway the way The original bell tower you came. in front of the church KM 90.9/Mile 56.5 was destroyed by fi re and Turn left and cross the rebuilt by community Skeena River. This bridge members in 1979. was built in 1973 and re- KM 90.3/Mile 56.1 placed a car ferry further GITWANGAK TOTEMS downstream at Cedarvale These 8-10 excellent that was the only way to examples of the carver’s cross the Skeena River art were placed in this between Hazelton and location in 1926 after Terrace. a restoration project KM 91.3/Mile 56.7 assisted by Canadian Turn left off the bridge National Railways. Walk into the Petro-Canada a short distance behind gas station. A place for the totems to view the gas and maybe a photo of Skeena River. the “NORTH TO ALASKA” Turn around in a turnout signpost. just past the totems and KM 91.14/Mile 56.8 with supplying wood to Turn left out of gas sta- fuel the sternwheelers, tion parking lot onto Yel- to cutting railway ties lowhead Highway 16. and mining timbers, to producing lumber in KM 108.1/Mile 67.1 high production mills for SKEENA CROSSING overseas markets. Large pull-put on right, just before entering the KM 124.7/Mile 77.5 community of Kitseguk- SEELEY LAKE la. This Hand of History Turn right off Highway plaque commemorates 16 at Seeley Lake Pro- construction of the vincial Park. A “Hand of Grand Trunk Pacific History” sign commemo- Railway (now the Cana- rates the mythic grizzly dian National Railway) bear that inhabited the and specifically the 1912 lake in centuries past. completion of a railway Good fishing, swimming bridge crossing just up- and camping. river from this location. Turn right from the Ironically sternwheelers parking area to return to on the Skeena River sup- Highway 16. Continue ported this construction down Highway 16 until project but soon met you see the signs for their demise as rail travel . became the preferred method of transporta- KM 127.3/Mile 79.1 tion. SOUTH HAZELTON ENTRANCE Continue down Highway Turn left off the high- 16. way and proceed along KM 108.4/Mile 67.3 Aldous Street into South ENTERING KITSEGUKLA Hazelton. At approxi- Also called Gitsegukla, mately 3 km the road which means “people of will turn right (Omineca the sharp pointed moun- Avenue). tain” is a Gitxsan village South Hazelton and New located near river can- Hazelton were born of yons that provide excel- the railway—both origi- lent opportunities to net nating with the railway some of the 5 million construction starting salmon that migrate up around 1909. Great the Skeena River annu- futures were predicted ally. and grand plans drawn; Continue down Highway South Hazelton was pro- 16. moted as “The Chicago of the North.” KM 115.3/Mile 71.6 CARNABY SAWMILL KM 130.4/Mile 81.0 SITE – this sawmill was HAZELTON STATION once one of the largest ROAD employers in the area Turning left at Hazelton before closing down in Station Road takes one 2001. Forestry has been on a 2 kilometre descent a mainstay of the re- along a gravel road to gion’s economy, starting Anderson Flats, along the Bulkey River opposite past the Visitor Centre, ‘Ksan and Gitanmaax. through New Hazelton to Due to some steepness the “Welcome to the Ha- and sharp corners, larger zeltons” sign at the paved motorhomes are advised turnout on the left. to use caution. KM 140.3/Mile 87.2 KM 132.5/Mile 82.3 BANK ROBBERIES MISSION POINT Near this location the Anderson Flats has last “Wild West” bank played an important robbery and shootout role in the history of the in Western Canada took region. It has been the place. Russian anar- location of native trad- chists met a gruesome ing, explorer’s camps, fate when they came up a Methodist mission, a against the sharp-shoot- Hudson’s Bay outpost, a ing townsfolk of New slaughter yard, and a golf Hazelton. course. The site is now a KM 141.82/Mile 87.7 provincial park, favourite HAZELTONS VISITOR local picnic ground and CENTRE fi shing hole. A short return through Return the way to you New Hazelton brings you came, to the top of the back to the Visitor Centre hill and completion of the tour. We trust the experi- KM 134.7/Mile 83.7 ence was rewarding and ALDOUS STREET thank you for visiting the After crossing the railway Hazeltons: The Historic tracks again, turn left at Heartland of Northwest the top of the hill. British Columbia. KM 135.4/Mile 84.1 HIGHWAY 16 JUNCTION Turn left and continue down Highway 16, Hands of History Information Hazeltons Visitor Centre Box 340, New Hazelton, BC V0J 2J0 June to September: Tel: 250.842.6071 Fax: 250.842.6271 Off-Season: Tel: 250.842.6571 Email: [email protected]

Photo credits: Arlon Gislason Mike Weeber Ken Newman Andrew Webber Archival images courtesy of Royal BC Museum, BC Archives A-06892 “Kitwancool Village Totems” E-01983 “Original Bridge, Hagwilget Canyon” E-08391 “Hazelton Indian Village” B-03838 “SS Hazelton, Canyon” H-06886 “Official Tower Opening - St. Paul’s Church” (photo by Gary White & John Veillette) Design: Michael Rossiter Graphic Design Printed in Canada 2011 This brochure is based on work of the Hazelton Area Historical Association and Village of Hazelton For more information on tourism in the Hazelton area: www.hellobc.com/en-CA/RegionsCities/NewHazelton.htm www.hazeltonstourism.ca www.ksan.org www.hazelton.ca www.newhazelton.ca www.hazeltonlibrary.bc.ca www.gitanmaax.com www.gitxsan.com www.gitsegukla.org www.heritagebcstops.com