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The Hazelton area is comprised of two municipalities (the Village of Hazelton and
District of New Hazelton), three unincorporated settlements (South Hazelton, Two
Mile, and the Kispiox Valley), and four First Nations' Villages (Gitanmaax,
Hagwilget, Glen Vowell and Kispiox).
History
The area around New Hazelton was settled by people of the Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en
thousands of year ago, and the villages had their network of trails and a handmade bridge
crossing over the Skeena River. The first exploration by outsiders occurred in 1866,
when the Collins Overland Telegraph Line was being constructed and the workers
started arriving in northwestern British Columbia.
With the discovery of gold in the Omineca in the early 1870s, the population steadily
increased. Before the construction of roads, the only method of transportation for
men, goods, and materials had been the mighty Skeena River; as the sternwheelers made
their way north, so did the seekers of gold. With mining developing in the area,
the area became attractive to settlers and miners seeking their fortune.
In the early 1900s, Grand Trunk Pacific Railway pushed its way to northwestern British
Columbia. Robert Kelly of Kelly Douglas and Company purchased land adjacent to the
Hagwilget Indian Reserve. Along the railroad line, a commercial site and a
settlement developed. This site was later named New Hazelton.
An active export forest industry flourished in the 1950s and became the backbone of the
industry for the area. Timber Line Company established the first mill in New Hazelton-
it was sold in 1960 and moved to South Hazelton. New Hazelton has grown and
developed steadily over the years and was incorporated in 1980.
Until the last decade, forestry and mining have traditionally been the area's major
industries; today, tourism has become just as important. New Hazelton invites
everyone to come experience the magnificent fishing, hunting, and rich history
which the town has to offer!
Location
The District of New Hazelton is situated on Highway #16 in the northwest part of British
Columbia, 440 km (or approximately 5 hours driving) northwest of Prince George, and
140 kilometres (roughly 1.5 hours) northeast of Terrace. The majestic Rocher de Boule
Mountain stands out along the skyline on one side as a backdrop for the community, and
the mighty Skeena River flows south along the other side of the scenic valley. Just twenty
minutes west of New Hazelton, visitors can leave Highway 16 and continue along Highway 37
to Stewart and Hyder Alaska.
The area enjoys moderate winters from November to February, averaging temperatures from
0 degrees Celsius to short periods of colder weather. The summers are sunny and average
temperatures in the mid-twenty degree range.
Places to See
- Hazelton Visitor Info Centre
Located conveniently on Highway 16, the visitor info centre is an essential stop for sorting
through the various local sights.
- Ksan Indian Village and Museum
'Ksan Historical Village and Museum ('Ksan) is located near the ancient village of
Gitanmaax, at the confluence of the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers in the community of
Hazelton, British Columbia.
The 'Ksan village illustrates many features of a Gitxsan village from
the distant past. For example, like its predecessors, 'Ksan's houses form a single line
with each building facing the river. From this position, the large decorated house fronts
and totem poles of the village are visible from the water.
'Ksan's museum collection consists of approximately 600 items. Comprised of both
ceremonial and utilitarian materials, this collection illustrates the great diversity
within the material culture of the Gitxsan. Items include bent boxes, ceremonial masks,
button blankets, shaman's regalia, fishing gear, hunting utensils, and assorted lithic
artifacts housed in a proper museum facility with environmental controls.
- Hazelton Pioneer Museum and Archives
Housed within the Hazelton District Public Library, the Pioneer Museum and Archives tells
Hazelton's history through archival photographs and displays.
- Hagwilget Suspension Bridge
Head down the road from the Visitor Info Centre in New Hazelton to drive or walk over the
Hagwilget suspension bridge, one of the highest suspension bridges in North America. The
bridge looms 81 metres (265 feet) over the scenic waters of the Bulkley River. You can also
hike down to the river's edge for a closer look at the water.
Things to Do
- View Totem Poles!
The Hazelton area contains over 50 standing totem poles located in eight scenic Native
villages.
- Go on a walking tour!
The self-guided Hands of History tour follows a 113-kilometre route that loops between
Hazelton and Kitwanga. Experience the culture and the history of the Northwest wildnerness!
- Fishing!
Designated a trophy river by the province, the Kispiox River is known for its world-class
steelhead trout. The river also contains an abundance of coho salmon, dolly varden, and cutthroat
and rainbow trout.
Just 30 minutes away are the Babine, Bear, Bulkley, and Sceena Rivers.
- Hiking!
The Hazeltons appeal to hikers of all experience levels. Trails range from easy family hikes
to high alpine adventures for more experienced hikers.
Stroll the boardwalk in New Hazelton. Blue Mountain Trail and Sidina Mountain Trail are
longer stretches, reaching into alpine terrain. For a long day's trek, or overnight
backpacking, set out for Moonlit Trail (also called the Kispiox Mountain Trail) on a steady
climb through old-growth forest leading to an alpine ridge. A small campsite is set near the
top of the ridge.
Events
- Kispiox Valley Rodeo
The Kispiox Valley Rodeo is an annually anticipated event that draws spectators and
performers from all across the country for one weekend a year. The rodeo and
campgrounds are located right along the banks of the Kispiox River, with the Rodeo
arena within minutes of the campsite.
There are a variety of events at the rodeo, including: steer wrestling, calf roping,
bull riding, ladies barrel racing, and goat tying.
- Kispiox Valley Music Festival
At the end of July, enjoy three days of dazzling music performed by international
musicians!
- Pioneer Days
Held in Hazelton every August, Pioneer Days is much like a small town street party,
complete with a parade, craft display, food, and dancing.
- New Hazelton Canada Day Celebrations
New Hazelton's annual Canada Day celebration has long been known for its amazing
community breakfasts, its breathtaking go-kart derbies, and its phantasmagoric parades.
Come out and enjoy a day of utter insanity!
Warning: Material written by eccentric BCLCA webmasters may or may not be
completely accurate descriptions of the events.
Notable Comments
- You know, a lot of crazy things happen in New Hazelton when we have our annual
Canada Day celebration, but who can forget the giant food fight five years ago that spanned the entire
town? It all began when a group of children got into a scuffle and began throwing food from the community
breakfast. An errant pancake happened to hit one of the younger cooks in the face, causing her to
collapse on the ground, screaming, "It burns! It burns!"
Desperate for revenge, she grabbed a bottle of maple syrup and a box of pancake mix, and hurled
herself into the fray. Syrup and batter flew in every direction, hitting children and adults alike.
Others soon gave up on trying to restore any semblance of order, and began grabbing their own
projectiles from the stacks of pancakes sitting nearby.
As word spread of a chaotic food fight taking place, the rest of us filled up our buckets with whatever
we could find from our refrigerators and ran outside. I remember tossing a tomato at my next-door neighbor,
Earl. He responded by shoving an apple pie in my face.
It took about seven hours for everyone to settle down, and by then, we were all buried beneath layers of
edible waste. I hope this year's Canada Day celebrations are as exciting!
- Bowser Coombs, in a letter to the Dawson Creek Inquirer
- "I like the new Hazel-ton!"
- Delores Clayburn, an enthusastic five-year old from Kamloops
Contact Information
District of New Hazelton
PO Box 340
New Hazelton, BC V0J 2J0
Telephone: 250-842-6571
Fax: 250-842-6077
Email: info@newhazelton.ca
Website: http://www.newhazelton.ca
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