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Welcome
to a place where the fun's pure gold - Historic Barkerville
- just east of Quesnel in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region
of British Columbia! It's living history in a spectacular
natural environment.
In 1862, Billy Barker found gold at Williams Creek, a discovery
that started a rush of fortune seekers to the Cariboo from
all over the world, helping set the stage for the settlement
of British Columbia and its eventual confederation with Canada.
In its heyday this was the largest town in the Canadian West.
Over 100,000 people traveled the Cariboo Wagon Road (named
'Eighth Wonder of the World') to converge on the goldfields,
and the bustling boomtown of Barkerville.
Today,
Barkerville endures as a town of discovery, a unique streetscape
with over 125 heritage buildings, the Theatre Royal shows,
exhibits, stage coach rides, entertaining street theatre during
the summer, and unique shops filled with Victorian-era merchandise.
Barkerville
is a historic site like no other. Unlike many gold rush towns
from this era - which have long disappeared - Barkerville
remains a thriving place, rich in history and full of life.
You can tour the town with one of the colourful characters
from Barkerville’s past, watch the notorious Judge Begbie
strike fear into the hearts of history’s criminals, witness
authentic gold rush theatre, and see a real Cornish Waterwheel
in action. Enjoy gold panning with your family and friends,
visit Barkerville’s well preserved Chinatown, and go back
to school in the 1800s. Or, learn about the town at your own
pace by visiting our historic buildings and beautiful displays.
Our town's merchants, restaurants and accommodations will
provide you with everything you need for a genuinely comfortable
trip into the province's past.
Each year many popular special events are staged including
the Victoria Day Afternoon Tea at the Wake Up Jake Restaurant
to honour Queen Victoria … Dominion Day Celebrations
where you can celebrate Canada's birthday the way they did
in 1870 … and the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
celebration, honouring Barkerville's Chinese heritage, which
begins at dusk with a lantern parade through the streets of
Barkerville … live music and more including a cowboy
festival.
You
can also celebrate Halloween with a "Ghostly Town Tour"
in Barkerville and in mid-December there is decorated displays
and home baking in the Wendle House. The Goldfield Bakery
and many of the Barkerville businesses are open for Christmas,
there's Carol singing at St. Saviour's Church, special Christmas
displays, and events throughout the month.
The Visitor Reception Centre is the information and admission
building for Barkerville Historic Town. Here you can purchase
admission tickets for the Theatre Royal and Stagecoach rides.
You can also find out about B&B accommodation, tours and
any events scheduled during your visit. Changing exhibitions
and a theater with a short film on the gold rush are located
in the building - along with maps and brochures on Barkerville
and the surrounding area.
| Barkerville
is located in the Cariboo Mountains 80 km (50 miles) east
of Quesnel, near the mining town of Wells. Just follow
the 'Gold Rush Trail' along Highway 97 to Quesnel, and
then take Highway 26. You can also take a 1 hour flight
from Vancouver on Central Mountain Air. |
On
the way you can stop in at Cottonwood House for a great introduction
to the heritage adventure ahead! The picturesque little town
of Wells is on the way as well, just a few minutes west of
Barkerville.
Barkerville
Historic Town
PO Box 19, Barkerville
British Columbia, Canada V0K 1B0
Visit
our full website at: www.barkerville.ca
Email
us at: barkerville@barkerville.ca
Telephone: (250) 994-3302 Fax: (250) 994-3435
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