 The history of
the Red Coach Inn would not be complete without mentioning some of
the history of the community, for the two are synonymous. The
heritage of both the Inn and the community originated in the
mid-1800’s when the junction of Bridge Creek and Little Bridge
Creek became a favourite resting place and watering hole for fur
traders travelling the Fort Alexandria, Fort George, Fort St. John
and Fort Kamloops circuit. The original stopping house was known as
Bridge Creek House.
With the
discovery of gold in Barkerville in 1860, a gold rush trail known
as the Cariboo Wagon Road was established from Lillooet to
Barkerville. When the gold rush trail was constructed, stopping
houses were constructed along the trail to shelter and feed weary
travellers. It was at this time that Bridge Creek House became
known as 100 Mile House, for it was 100 miles from Lillooet, the
beginning of the Cariboo Road.
The original
stopping house was built in 1862 by Thomas Miller and David Pratt,
who had previously operated 127 Mile House. They purchased the 100
Mile House in 1872, and then sold it to Hamilton in
1880.
 The property
changed hands once again in 1912 when the
Marquess of Exeter bought the 15,000 acre spread. C.G. Cowan of
Kamloops managed the property for the Marquess until 1930 when the
Marquess’ 21 year old son, Lord Martin Cecil, moved to Canada
to assume control.
The original
stopping house was a large house located where the present Esso
station now stands. The barn across the road from the present Red
Coach Inn was built about 1905 and stabled 50 horses for the
travellers.
 The Lodge,
which is still in use today, was built by Martin Cecil in 1932 to
house the cowboys who worked on the 15,000 acre ranch. When the
original stopping house burned to the ground in 1937, the Lodge
became the new stopping house.
 The development of the village
of 100 Mile House, combined with increased traffic to the north,
soon created a need for expansion. The present Red Coach Inn was
built in 1966, and featured a full restaurant, dining room and
catering facilities. The Inn took its name from the Barnard Express
(BX) which was the last coach to ride from Yale to Soda Creek. This
coach is still on display behind the Red Coach
Inn.
A bakery was
started in the back of the kitchen, and guests were soon greated
with the tantalizing aroma of warm bread and freshly brewed coffee.
The Red Coach Inn’s bread and coffee became so popular that
they shipped to places such as New York, Florida and Hawaii. The
Red Coach Inn bakery soon expanded and began selling fresh baked
goods in the lobby of the Inn, while still supplying the restaurant
with a variey of breads, rolls and desserts.
 The Red Coach Inn as we know it
today is 37 years old. But the stopping house which spawned the Red
Coach Inn was born in the early 1860’s. The management and
staff of the Red Coach Inn are proud to be carrying on the
tradition of good food, friendly service and warm hospitality that
began over 140 years ago.
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