NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA 2021 issue HERITAGE AUTO TOUR

2021

NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR | 1 NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA The trail through time seldom leaves the footprints so visible as those you will find in Northeastern HERITAGE British Columbia. AUTO TOUR Follow the footprints that shaped the present and formed the future.

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Stand where dinosaurs danced in Tumbler Ridge while exploring the Tumbler Ridge Global Geo Park. Marvel THE ALASKA HIGHWAY, at the wooden rail trestle at Pouce Coupe reminding formerly known as the Alcan us of the trail of the iron rails that forged new frontiers (Alaska – Canadian) Highway, in the North. Walk in the paths of thousands of soldiers winds its way through who first set foot in Dawson Creek at the NAR Train Station in the quest to build the Alaska Highway. wilderness connecting Dawson Experience the joy and hardships of the early settlers Creek, BC, Delta Junction and in Chetwynd where harvesting the forest became Fairbanks, Alaska. the trail to prosperity. Travel the road “Never to be 5 Traveled Again” when the Mighty Peace River floods behind the new Hydro Electric Dam (Site C) beyond Hudson’s Hope. Feel the pelts of native animals in Dawson Creek (self-guided) Historical Walking Tour Fort St. John while learning about the flow of furs from 5 Brochures are available at the Dawson Creek Visitor Centre or the trap-line to market. In Fort Nelson, pick your own trail Alaska Highway House, through the amazing collection of antique cars and trucks that have worked the Alaska Highway from the 1 beginning in 1942. Drive the ribbon of highway we all The breathtaking vista overlooking the Peace River at the call “Home”. We invite you to leave your footprints and Regional Rest Stop between Hudson’s Hope and Fort St. John take with you an experience of a lifetime. 6 changes with the seasons, the type of weather and even the time of day. Find out more about both communities, break out a picnic and enjoy the view. Tumbler Ridge is home to the Tumbler Ridge 1 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Highway 29: 42 km / 26 miles north of Hudson's Hope Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Geopark. Made up of 34 accessible geosites across 21 destination areas of geological and Charlie Lake Monument 8.7 km / 5.4 miles north of Fort St. John aesthetic interest, Tumbler Ridge is a dream The Monument stands to honour the 12 lives lost that tragic day destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Lantern Tour 2 in 1942. The stainless steel monument stands 12 feet high, six feet Kinuseo Falls is located 63 km / 39.1 miles 7 wide and one foot thick. Viewers can look through an opening in from Tumbler Ridge on the Murray River at the monument that looks to the north end of Charlie Lake where the northern end of Monkman Provincial Park. the accident occurred. The monument stands within a 12 foot circle surrounded by 12 posts: one for each of the soldiers who lost their lives. A kiosk nearby features a photo of the barge and details of what Guided Dinosaur Trackway Tours happened that tragic day on Charlie Lake, May 14, 1942. 2 Summer tours are offered at two sites via hiking trails: the Flatbed tracksite and the Wolverine River tracksite. Each tour takes 8 about two hours. One unique feature is the Wolverine River lantern night tour – nothing like it is offered Kiskatinaw Bridge 3 anywhere else in the world. The low angled A short drive north of Dawson lantern light brings out footprints which are Creek (25 km /15 miles) and hardly visible by day. just off the Alaska Highway, is the beautiful wooden curved Chetwynd Chainsaw Carvings, Kiskatinaw River Bridge. The bridge is a marvel of pickup your free self-guided walking tour 3 engineering that took as long brochure at the Visitor Centre - over 150 to build as the whole Alaska Carvings! Highway. It is still load bearing and can be easily driven or Dawson Creek is Mile ‘0’ of the Alaska walked across. 4 Highway, snap a photo memory at the Mile ‘0’ Cairn. 2 | NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE4 AUTO TOUR NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR | 3 Jackpine Remnant Protected Area N elson River

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LITTLE PRAIRIE HERITAGE MUSEUM CHETWYND

COMMUNITY CARVED BY SUCCESS CHAINSAW CARVINGS AND LUMBER MILLS are evidence of the community’s long and strong ties to the forest industry. Creatively designed chainsaw sculptures are prolific in Chetwynd as the results of the Annual International Chainsaw Championships held the 2nd weekend in June.

Take a self-guided walking tour - over 150 carvings! Poised on the edge of the eastern Northern Rocky Mountains, Chetwynd celebrates a rich history in forestry and the lumber industry. The Little Prairie Museum, located just South of town, features early pioneers days. The “Celebrating community original General Store welcomes visitors into and pioneer life” the rooms that are still set up the way the original proprietors worked and lived. The The artefacts and collections reflect the community and surrounding area, front room was the retail space while the particularly relating to family life, farming, back rooms were the living quarters. The railways, trapping, logging and forestry. kitchen now showcases a unique collection Much of the farm machinery and other of antique teapots filling every shelf. The artefacts date from the early 1900s. bedrooms upstairs have newspaper archives, Hours of Operation vintage clothing and children’s toys. Contact Chetwynd Visitor Centre A BC Rail car and trapper’s cabin are open for Ph: 250-788-1943 exploration among several garden spaces 5633 Westgate Rd NW, Chetwynd with picnic tables and chainsaw carvings. Off Season: Ph: 250-788-1943 See fossils, hunting and trapping relics, and farming equipment from the early 1900s. The / Little Prairie Heritage Museum grounds are a popular location for weddings and photographs and a pleasant stop for travelers.

4 | NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR TUMBLER DINOSAUR DISCOVERY GALLERY RIDGE

WALK WITH THE DINOSAURS. W; Home of the World’s only Tyrannosaur Track Ways!

The Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation (TRMF) provides a range of historical experiences. At the Dinosaur Discovery Gallery see a wide range of fossils, including dinosaur bones, dinosaur and bird tracks, and fish and marine reptile fossils, which were all found near Tumbler Ridge. Take a day tour or an evening lantern tour for a unique visit to the dinosaur track sites. Enroll your kids in the day and week-long dino camps, where they can learn about dinosaurs and actually Trackway Lantern Tours: Summer tours are offered at two sites via hiking trails: prepare fossil replicas. Palaeontologists the Flatbed trackways and the Wolverine operate the Peace Region Palaeontology tracksite. The Flatbed tour takes about two Research Centre, making Tumbler Ridge hours, and the Wolverine tour is shorter. the centre of excellence in vertebrate One unique feature is the Wolverine palaeontology in BC. lantern night tour – nothing like it is offered anywhere else in the world. The low angled The TRMF has established a number of lantern light brings out footprints which are historical displays around town, celebrating less visible by day. early regional history, First Nations history, and Adult - $8 Winter: coal mining history. Learn about Canada’s first Youth (10-18) - $5 Thurs - Mon 9 am - 5 pm electrified industrial railway in the Caboose. Children (15-9) - $3 Summer: (May Long Weekend to Experience the many photo displays in Under Four - Free Sep Long Weekend): the Community Center depicting the 7 Days per week development of the Monkman Pass Highway, 9 am - 5 pm the history of Tumbler Ridge, how the Winter 255 Murray Drive, Tumbler Ridge Wren was split into two species based on Follow the Dinosaur Discovery Signage research done near town, and a variety of Ph: 250-242-3466 other topics. Other sites include an original W: trmf.ca excavator shovel from a local coal mine and Children under 12 must be the story of how many regional mountains and accompanied by an adult in the Gallery.Photography by geographical features are named after fallen permission. veterans from World War II. NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR | 5 HUDSON’S HOPE MUSEUM

“Standing on the banks of the River you can feel the history of this place” -J. Cole VISIT THE HUDSON’S HOPE MUSEUM – you will travel back in time to a small fur trading fort on the Peace River where the original 1936 Hudson's Bay Company Store houses the pioneer collection.

The main building houses a collection that travels though time. Starting with the Dinosaurs, learn about the Hudsonelpidia – a small dinosaur named after the town, View Dinosaurs footprints and local fossils. Next learn about the aboriginal families that lived in the valley, their amazing stories and how their lives changed after the trading fort was established. Wander into the pioneer equipment display. Learn how early farming was done without machines, and how machines changed farming in the valley. The Enjoy wandering along the banks of the Peck House showcases Hudson’s Hope life Peace River, while exploring the collection of heritage log buildings: • Peck House in the 1930s, while the MacDonald Cabin • MacDonald Cabin • Trapper’s cabin houses the museum’s collection of trapping • Food cache • Machine shed artefacts and a selection of furs. View Admission Free: Donations Welcome amazing river boat engines, gold panning equipment and learn about the history of coal Winter Hours: Summer Hours: mining in Hudson’s Hope. Oct to April May to Sep 31st 9 am - 4:30 pm M-F 9 am - 5 pm Daily The newest acquisition to the Museum is the Subject to staff availability Rutledge Heritage building which houses the Guide and Outfitting display. The display 9510 Beattie Dr, Hudson’s Hope showcases some of the 57 mounted animals Ph: 250-783-5735 from the Powell Collection and tells the story E: [email protected] of Guide and Outfitting in Northern BC. Come W: hudsonshopemuseum.com view one of the best public mounted animal additional RV Parking across the street at collections in Western Canada. the Visitor Centre

6 | NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR “The road never to be BEAR FLAT MUSEUM travelled again”

This image shows how the flooding will affect the area.

The log 22’x26’ building built in 1944 was the Highway 29 between home of pioneer Jim Watson. It was restored Fort St. John and Hudson’s Hope in 2006 and is currently the main building of is an awe-inspiring SCENIC the Bear Flat Museum. Ken and Arlene are DRIVE ALONG THE PEACE third generation farmers on the property that RIVER WHICH WILL CHANGE Lloyd Bentley Sr. bought from the original homesteaders, the Dopp family. The Bear FOREVER as the Site C dam Flat Schoolhouse (Heritage #HbRh 60) was reservoir fills with water. meticulously restored in 1999 where Mrs Bentley lived until 2016. After living on the Travelling along this stretch of road family property all her life, Mrs. Bentley moved this summer could be the last time to into Fort St. John when BC Hydro began the appreciate the magnificent views and expropriation process of Bear Flat for the rich farmland that will be forever under Site C Dam construction. water. The Watson Slough wildlife viewing area supported by Ducks Unlimited will be accessible to travellers in 2018. Take the trip and make history as one of the last few to see the sites.

The Bear Flat Museum, owned and operated by Ken and Arlene Boon, may not be accessible at certain times during the BC Hydro work this summer. The Museum is a collection of original Hours of operation: call for an appointment homes with personal artefacts of the 14818 Hwy 29 N Bear Flat Bentley family and local history of the 33.5 km / 20.8 miles from Fort St. John, Peace River Valley. The original school 55.7 km / 34.6 miles from Hudson’s Hope house from 1921 is another building that Ph: 250-261-4295 will have to be relocated in order to E: [email protected] make way for the changes due to the Site C Dam.

Peace River Regional District Invasive Plant Program Did you know that there are over 50 listed invasive plant species that the PRRD monitors and take measures to control?

Summer Hours: Why are these daisies The PRRD encourages everyone to participate May to Sep 31st of such high concern? in the Destroy Daisies campaign to keep the 9 am - 5 pm Daily agriculture areas free and begin to control the The challenge with spread of scentless chamomile and oxeye daisy. these species is that Download the free BC Report-A-Weed app and they are everywhere report anonymously any large infestations of and resources are invasive plants from the convenience of your limited. phone. For more information contact the PRRD Invasive Plant Staff at 1-800-670-7773 or online at www.prrd.bc.ca

NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR | 7 POUCE COUPE MUSEUM

“Pouce Coupe is frequently referred to as the Pioneer capital of the Peace River Region. It has also been called the Gateway to the Peace Country”

EMBARK ON A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME as you weave through the Heritage House, Trapper’s Cabin, Caboose and the original NAR Train Station.

The influx of settlers into the Pouce Coupe Prairie evoked the need for permanent medical staff. Located in the original train station, the Pouce Coupe Museum features Doctor Edward Gardiner Hollies’ medical equipment from 1936-1971. See the first x-ray machine brought into the Peace Country from Edmonton, a shortwave therapy machine to treat arthritis, and other medical magic he used to treat residents of the area. The Pouce Coupe Museum has an eclectic A Red Cross outpost hospital was opened in collection of artefacts. The collections 1921. At this time, the first resident doctor in portray pioneer history. Included, but not the area was Dr. W.A. Watson. Dr. Watson’s limited to, are: • Blacksmith tools • Logging practice covered a wide area and he travelled tools • Domestic objects & mercantile goods as far away as Hudson’s Hope and Fort St. • Military uniforms John. The hospital served all the settlements Admission Free: Hours of Operation: in the area. Dr. W.A. Watson passed away in Donations Welcome May 1st to August 31st 1936, and he was replaced by Dr. Edward 8 am - 5 pm Daily Gardiner Hollies. Dr. Hollies’ practice spanned 5006 49th Avenue, Pouce Coupe the years from 1936 to 1971. Dr Hollies Ph: 250-786-5555 travelled in all kinds of weather to make E: [email protected] house calls, delivering over 3000 babies. W: poucecoupe.ca The Pouce Coupe Museum also has a fine parade of uniforms worn by Peace Country residents who served in WWII.

10 | NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR DAWSON CREEK NAR MUSEUM

“In March of 1942, American troops began their monumental exploits and these are the first days of your Alaska Highway adventure! “

HISTORY IS WHERE YOU STAND! Dawson Creek Station Museum - End of Steel. Mile ‘0’ of the Alaska Highway!

They came on foot, on horseback and in wagons. They came from all over North America and from Europe to the untouched wealth of land of the Peace River Block. Walter Wright Pioneer Village As you tour the Dawson Creek Museum you The Dawson Creek Station Museum is a will learn about homesteading - the early treasure trove of Alaska Highway people - and the arrival of the railroad. The memorabilia: Alaska Highway photos & Museum is located in the original Northern memorabilia • Period railroad station & living Alberta Railway Station (NAR) built in 1931 - quarters • Salute to Peace River farming at the ‘end of steel.’ • Natural history displays Dawson Creek owes its beginnings to the Adult - $5 | Family - $10 Open Year Round NAR which built its western terminal and freight yards at this site in 1930. Dawson Creek Station Museum 900 Alaska Avenue During World War II, Dawson Creek became ‘Mile Zero’ for the Alaska Highway built in Ph: 250-782-5408 1942. The army life during construction of E: [email protected] the Alaska Highway is reconstructed in the Walter Wright Pioneer Village Station Museum. The army played an integral Mile 1 Alaska Highway part in the lives of the settlers during this time. Ph: 250-719-8501 Discover the Walter Wright Pioneer Village. Stroll along the wooden sidewalks and relive South Peace Historical Society Archives life as it was back on the edge of the frontier. 10401 10th Street Ph: 250-782-1574 The South Peace Historical Society Archives E: [email protected] | W: sphs.ca has the largest collection of photos and stories about the Alaska Highway and the Peace River Country.

NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR | 11 TAYLOR ROCKY MOUNTAIN FORTS

"Step back to the time when fur trappers dominated the territory in search of the pelts that were sought after for wealth and warmth."

Trapping equipment, furs and survival gear of the rugged early settlers along with native artifacts are on display at the museum.

CROSSING THE MIGHTY PEACE Visit the Rocky Mountain Forts RIVER AT TAYLOR WAS A Museum at Peace Island Park! CHALLENGE BOTH WINTER AND Peace Island Park is beautifully SUMMER BEFORE THE ALASKA located near the Peace River Bridge. HIGHWAY WAS CONSTRUCTED The International Gold Panning IN 1942. Competition is held every August long weekend at Peace Island Park When the river froze over in the winter, cars and attracting gold pan enthusiasts from trucks crossed on the ice and in the summer, a places like Australia, USA, and the ferry at Taylor Landing carried vehicles and cargo Yukon. Local residents and travelers across the wide expanse. Everyone travelling on the highway are welcome to try north or south on the Alaska Highway still makes their skill in finding real gold. the journey through Taylor and over the river. Peace Island Park is one of the most A long modern bridge, with spectacular views beautiful campgrounds in the area. of the river, now connects the North Peace and Plenty of camping spots, access the South Peace. The original bridge built in 1943 to the river for boating and special was transported from the United States by the events makes Peace Island Park a US Army Corp of Engineers. It collapsed in 1957, summer hot spot. forcing vehicles to make the perilous crossing on a wooden railway trestle further upstream. Free Admission for All Ages at the Sharing the crossing with train traffic added Rocky Mountain Forts incentive for rapid decisions on replacing the Peace Island Park collapsed bridge. 5889 Big Bam Rd, Taylor Ph: 250-789-9295 In Taylor, the Church of the Good Shepherd has memorabilia of a tragic accident that drowned four girls of the Hoffstrom family when their family car reversed off the ferry. Taylor Visitor Information Centre The Visitor Information Centre is bursting with 10316 100 Street information about Taylor, the Alaska Highway Ph: 250-789-9015 and points of interest in the region. A replica of W: districtoftaylor.com Alexander Mackenzie’s canoe, with its fascinating story, is located at the Visitor Centre.

12 | NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR TAYLOR ROCKY MOUNTAIN FORTS FORT ST. JOHN NORTH PEACE MUSEUM

“Mackenzie noted the abundance of wildlife in this area, leading to the creation of Rocky Mountain Fort in 1794. This fort makes Fort St. John the oldest European community on the BC mainland.”

FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS of explorer Alexander Mackenzie on his voyage to the Pacific Ocean as he travelled along the Peace River.

Learn about the life of a voyageur, paddling fourteen to eighteen hour days in a canoe and carrying ninety pound packs over portages. These packs contained beads, pipes, firearms and ammunition, metal tools, and other items to be traded with the Dane- Zaa (Beaver) First Nations. See these fur trade goods which archaeologists have dug up from forts along the Peace River.

Discover what life was like at the eight forts The Fort St. John North Peace Museum tells near the present day city of Fort St. John. the story of the North Peace with interactive Learn about the gold seekers who passed exhibits: • Police barracks and jail • Dentist through Fort St. John on their way to the office • Post office and more • Archives Klondike. Meet Bessie Gunn who at age preserve photographs & documents seven interpreted the Dane-Zaa language for her father, Peter Gunn, a Hudson’s Bay Adult - $7 Hours of Operation: Company clerk. Seniors 65+ - $6 Mon - Sat 9 am - 5 pm Touch a beaver pelt and learn how these Student - $4 year-round. See website Under Five - Free for more information. pelts were turned into felt hats. These hats were fashionable in Europe and led to the 9323 100 Street, Fort St. John near-extinction of beaver in this area. Learn Ph: 250-787-0430 about the fur press that flattened these pelts E: [email protected] before they were sent by ship to Europe. W: fsjmuseum.com

Try your hand at our fur trade memory game, additional RV Parking matching photographs of people, places, and along 100th Street objects involved in the local fur trade.

NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR | 13 FORT NELSON HERITAGE MUSEUM

“Established as a fur trading post in 1805, Fort Nelson really flourished as a result of the construction of the Alaska Highway. Today, the community enjoys a rural lifestyle and the endless natural beauty the

Photo: Destination BC/Andrew Strain highway now offers easy access to.”

CELEBRATE AND LEARN about life on the Alaska Highway. The Museum grounds include monuments and memorials to the men and women who built the Alcan Highway.

Photo: Destination BC/Andrew Strain With over 9 buildings to explore and discover, there is something for everyone in the wide range of artefacts, from cars and equipment to wildlife, trapping and household. The museum features a large collection of classic cars dating back as far as the early 1900s, and includes a ‘42 Dodge club coupe, also celebrating it’s 75th anniversary in 2017. Many of our cars are in working order, and participate every year in our July 1st Canada From mineral samples to antique hand tools Day parade, a unique experience worthy of to wildlife mounts including a rare white an extra day's stay. moose, this unique collection is amazing. • log cabins, an old Northwestel building The extensive museum grounds are home • Hudson’s Bay house • Old derrick used for to a large collection of equipment used to the drilling of oil and gas wells in the “patch”. build the Alaska Highway, with everything from trucks to Caterpillars, backhoes and Adults - $7 Mid May to September jeeps. While you explore, take a moment to Seniors 65+ - $5 Please call ahead for relax and enjoy the surroundings at one of Children under 16 - $5 hours of operation. the many picnic areas. Wander through the Families - $15 museum buildings to discover the artefacts 5553 Alaska Highway, Fort Nelson displayed in the main building, the Hudson’s Ph: 250-774-3536 Bay house, the Trapper’s cabin, the Earl E: [email protected] Bartlett house, the Car Shed, and more. W: fortnelsonmuseum.ca Each building shows a different aspect of the history of life along the Alaska Highway.

14 | NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR Northern Trails Heritage Society… believes that understanding the paths that brought us to our present day civilization will set us on the right routes to future development for the best outcome for humanity.

Trails come in all forms in Northeast BC. Among the heritage trails are the extensive river systems, horse-packing freight trails, native hunting trails, bush pilot routes, railways and For additional copies contact: logging roads. Modern trails are paved roads, walking paths, Chair, Elinor Morrissey bike lanes, ski trails and hiking paths. Ph: 250-783-5735 E: [email protected] The Northern Trails Heritage Society aims to rediscover heritage trails, document trails that connect our history, and forge new trails in the pursuit of preserving the heritage of © 2021 Northern Trails Northeastern BC. Heritage Society. The www.NTHS.ca information in this publication is gathered carefully and every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time funding, in part, was provided by: of printing. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of all information supplied to us. Errors and omissions are not the publisher’s responsibility. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is forbidden except by written permission. www.rgstrategies.com Graphic Design & Production

Drive the ribbon of highway we all call “Home”. We invite you to leave your footprints and take with you an experience of a lifetime. Illustration by: Alan White

NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR | 15

TWENTY-FIVETWENTY-FIVE YEARSYEARS OF OF CULTURECULTURE NORTHERN TRAILS HERITAGE SOCIETY PRESENTS

Celebrating Christmas Traditions and History in the North Peace We are proud to present A Old Fashioned Christmas - a unique program developed in Print and Online for residents of the North Peace. The program featured local content and products gathered and submitted by the museums, communities and people of the North Peace.

VISIT THE WEBSITE ANorthernHeritageChristmas.ca

Explore our local collection of Christmas crafts, local gift ideas, recipes, drinks, karaoke, interactive maps, Christmas history, and more!

CHRISTMAS CAROLS THE HISTORY OF & CRAFTS CHRISTMAS IN THE Readers can explore a collection NORTH PEACE of Christmas Carols & Crafts submitted by local people, Readers can learn more about the museums and communities. history of Christmas + the holidays COVID SANTA in the North Peace

Project Management Design / Web Design Robin Holstein - RG Strategies Sean Graham - Chromaside T: 250.785.3586 C: 250.572.0869 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: rgstrategies.com W: chromaside.com 16 | NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA HERITAGE AUTO TOUR