Gold Rush Historic Town in Barkerville, BC
Billy Barker put this Important Community in Canada On the Map
Aug 10, 2009
For travellers who like to step back in time and experience life as it was in yesteryear, a jaunt to Barkerville, BC will fulfill all gold rush fantasies. This historic town in Western Canada, 200 km southeast of Prince George, has kept the charm that the town-named-after-Billy Barker once had.
The Gold Rush of 1858
The Fraser River was a hotbed of gold finds that attracted men and women from all corners of the world. William “Dutch Bill” Dietz and a group of prospectors struck gold in 1861 at what is now named Williams Creek. But it was Billy Barker’s find just downstream of Black Jack Canyon that garnered 37,500 oz. of gold and created the town of Barkerville to house the prospectors who came in search of their own fortune.
Barkverville, Canada
The historic town today is decked out in its gold rush splendour. Over 125 heritage buildings can be photographed, walked through, dined in and even slept in (see below for Barkerville hotel recommendations).
On top of the heritage buildings, there are annual events like Billy Barker Day, Dominion Day (celebrated in 1870’s style that would eventually develop into today’s Canada Day festivities), and festival events like an Old Fashioned Christmas and theatre shows.
The most fun is had at the Cornish Waterwheel Demonstration, where actors try to get the audience to buy into their dire mine. Kids love the dramatics and the adults get a kick out of the show.
Canada Chinatown
Dubbed as “Canada’s oldest Chinatown,” Barkerville attracted many Chinese miners. The oldest building in the town is the Chee Kung Tong Chinese Freemasons building, which now houses a fine museum.
The Lung Duck Tong Restaurant serves up fantastic Chinese food in its warm environment. Make sure to spend at least one dinner there and let the owner Shirley dictate the course of the meal.
Barkerville Hotels
Right on the Barkerville main street are a couple of hotels that allow guests to stay within their heritage walls. Highly recommended is King House, a cozy accommodation with period rooms, a delicious breakfast and a lovely host.
Also a fine accommodation is the St. George Bed & Breakfast (1-888-246-7690), a seven-room hotel that is rumoured to have once been a saloon and brothel.
Wells, BC
A short 10-minute drive to the tiny town of Wells, BC is worth the trip while visiting Barkerville. Out of the 220 full time residents here, there are five art galleries. Pretty impressive. And the artwork is GOOD.
Of note is Claire Kujundzic and her husband Bill Horne’s gallery, Amazing Space (2338 Bowman Crescent, 250-994-2332), housed in a previous Catholic Church. Claire’s work is magnificent and she even did design work in Nicaragua in 1985 for their postage stamps.
How To Get To Barkverville, BC
The drive north from Vancouver goes up Highway 99 to Whistler, follows Highway 97 to Quesnel and then turns east on Highway 26.
Barkerville is located:
- 200 km southeast of Prince George.
- 80 km east of Quesnel.
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