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History
In 1891, three men, F. Little, J. Arrowsmith, and J. Dow, arrived in the Creston area
and each claimed a section of the land. Hoping to make a good return on their investment,
they convinced the Canadian Pacific Railway to build a townsite and lay rails on their
property. A townsite called "Seventh Siding" was created on Little's property in 1898. As
construction of the townsite was underway, local residents decided to find a name more elegant
than "Seventh Siding" for the town. Little suggested "Creston", based on the name of a town
he'd visited in Idaho. There being no objections, the name was adopted. A sawmill was soon
opened and expanded, making forestry an integral part of Creston's economy.
Agriculture saw tremendous growth after 1901, and to this day, is still the primary
industry in Creston. The first fall fair was held in 1901, and in 1908, the first
strawberry cooperative in the valley was established in Wynndel. By 1950, there were
three grain elevators, and fruit was grown extensively in the valley. Occasionally,
the whole town would be closed and the fall fair cancelled because a good harvest
resulted in extra hands being needed to help bring in the apple crop.
Today, alfalfa and canola crops have replaced wheat, but fruits and berries are in
abundance. There are also a number of pure-bred horse ranches, and the Blueberry Patch,
which grows strawberries hydroponically.
Location
The town of Creston is located on Highway 3, 28 km south of Kootenay Lake and 11 km north of the United States border.
Heading north from Creston, Highway 3A leads to the longest free ferry ride in North America that crosses Kootenay Lake.
Once across the lake, Highway 3A continues to the west and Highway 31 goes north to connect with the westbound Highway 6.
South of Creston, Highway 21 is the 11-km stretch of road to the Canada/United States border that crosses into the State
of Idaho.
Greyhound Bus Lines offers bus service twice daily to the east (Calgary, Lethbridge, etc.) and twice daily to the west (Kelowna, Vancouver, etc.).
Creston is only an hour and a half drive from two regional airports: one in Castlegar and the other in Cranbrook. Both
offer several daily flights to Kelowna, Kamloops, Vancouver and Calgary.
Places to See
- Creston Valley Museum & Historical Society
Join a tour featuring 1000 years of history in the Creston Valley, held in the Stone House Museum. The museum displays
interesting artifacts explaining the valley's history, such as the Sturgeon-nosed Kutenai Canoe, early
agricultural tools, and objects from the pioneer life. The museum's lively mannequins bring life back to history.
- Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area
Come visit one of the Creston Valley's prized possessions. This 17,000 acre wetland is a migration home to more than
260 species of birds. There are also 50 species of mammals and over 30 species of fish and amphibians. There are guided
canoe tours and on-going programs & events throughout the season. Take a walk on the boardwalks and the 30 km of dykes.
The bird observation tower and the viewing deck surround you with the beauty of Creston.
- Columbia Brewing Company
Come and visit the Columbia Brewery, which has been brewing beer in the Creston area since 1952. Enjoy a tour and observe
how each bottle of Kokanee and other types of beer travel through the brewery before they are shipped out. Follow the Sasquatch
footprints as they lead you to the heart of the brewery, which produces 920 kegs a day, at a rate of 635 bottles a minute! After
you tour, sit back and enjoy free sampling, or shop around at the 'Beer Gear Store' for souvenirs and clothing. Don't forget to get
your picture taken with the famous Kokanee Sasquatch on your way out!
- Pick of the Crop Market
Visit this excellent fruit market featuring artisan gifts, handcrafted items, and a self-guided orchard tour.
- Chocolate Orchard
Deep within the Creston Valley, a master chocolateer toils away in his workshop, searching for the perfect confection.
Visit his humble abode and be treated to delicious samples of salt-water taffy or chocolate-coated cherries! No golden
tickets necessary!
- Blueberry Patch Country Market
The Blueberry Patch Country Market is a renovated farm barn and hayshed, located 6
miles south of Creston B.C., in a quiet farming community. During the summer, visitors
are welcome to pick their own strawberries, blueberries, and sweet Lapin cherries! There
is also a very nice emporium, as well as a lunch and dessert bistro.
- 7 Studios
Take a tour of the working studios belonging to seven artisans throughout the Valley!
See everything from photography, art, candle-making, pottery, and unusual bird houses.
Things to Do
- Shopping!
Stroll along the main street amid the beautiful murals for interesting local shops and galleries. Enjoy the expanding
strip mall for convenient one-stop shopping.
- Hiking!
From Summit Creek Campground and Recreation Area, hikers have access to an original section of the Dewdney Trail.
The Balancing Rock Trail on Mount Creston, the Lady Slipper Trail on Goat Mountain, and others also provide for scenic
hikes in the area.
- Fishing!
There are plenty of fishing holes around Creston in which you'll find Rainbow and Brook Trout, Cutthroats, and Dolly Vardens.
- Mountain Biking!
Mountain bike trails are available at the Summit Creek Campground, Mount Thompson, Duck Lake Dykes, Mount Midgeley, Goat Mountain,
and numerous other outdoor areas.
Events
- Creston Valley Fall Fair
Taking place every year on the first Friday and Saturday following Labour Day, the Creston Valley Fall Fair is a showcase of the finest
local livestock, farm and garden produce, baking, preserves, crafts, and youth exhibits.
- Creston Valley Garden Festival
A splendid weekend in which gardeners and non-gardeners alike can connect through the numerous gardening and cultural
activities. You'll squeal with delight as you discuss the latest gardening trends with others, or take part in educational
seminars on how to solve annoying gardening problems! There are also scintillating theatrical performances,
art displays, and fresh-from-the-farm, melt-in-your-mouth, make-your-tongue-explode fruits and vegetables! Awesome!
- Blossom Festival
Takes place every year on the long weekend in May, with parades, a street fair, a
10km run, a car show, and many other events!
- Creston Valley Fest
Held on the Labour Day weekend in September, the Creston Valley Fest is a music
festival with well-known & local entertainers on two music stages. There is also
camping, as well as activities for kids!
Notable Comments
- I've seen some crazy things in my twenty years as a judge at the Creston Valley Fall Fair, but never before
have I been witness to as much unspeakable horror as the time we held our first scarecrow competition. Things
were going swimmingly at first, with happy farmers passing out fresh produce, and excited kids chasing each other
around the rec. centre. The sun had just reached the apex of its journey through the sky when they showed up: a
gang of youthful city boys- about nine strong- in a battered maroon Pinto. Parking haphazardly between two apple
stands, they crawled out and began unloading a giant eight-foot scarecrow which had all of its features covered
by a black cloak. We'd been expecting them, of course: they'd mailed us weeks earlier, saying they were coming up
from New Orleans to enter our contest. Naively, we accepted their entry form, thinking nothing of their unusual
announcement, nor of the signature signed in human blood. Tourists were always welcome in Creston.
They planted their scarecrow directly opposite all the other entries, and immediately formed an incongruous ring around the body. In low, frenzied
voices, they began to chant:
"O Cthulhu!
Trapped so long in some necromancian tome
In this majestic valley, your soul shall roam!"
From beneath the black cloak, something began to tremble. The sky was suddenly covered by the wings of a thousand birds, all flapping
madly to escape the presence of this new evil. I gazed around, too stunned to speak, too stunned to move. Children were screaming in the
arms of their frightened parents.
The chanting increased in intensity. The cloak slipped away, revealing a pulpy, tentacled head atop a hideous leather-scaled cadaver. Two
miniature, disfigured wings flapped vainly on its back. Slowly, it gazed around with eyes that seemed to be opening for the first time in hundreds of
years. Lurching forth, it veered into the other scarecrows and came crashing to the ground.
This is all I remember. The desperate crowd now began to stampede in all directions, and I was trampled in the chaos. By the time I had sufficiently
recovered my senses, the gruesome creature had escaped, having been spirited away by its gang of resurrectors. A cursory search of the old Pinto came
to a premature end: while attempting to open the trunk of the car, a careless investigator nudged the rear bumper, causing the fuel tank to explode and
level two blocks.
I cannot say what became of the creature, but to this day, it continues to haunt the dreams of those who attended the fair. Naturally, we no longer
allow tourists to enter the scarecrow competition.
- Victor Kaslo, in Cthulhu Lives! And Other True Tales from the Creston Valley
- "I like Creston!"
- Delores Clayburn, an enthusiastic six-year old from Kamloops
Contact Information
Creston & District Chamber of Commerce
1607 Canyon Street (Hwy 3)
PO Box 268
Creston BC, V0B 1G0
Toll Free: 1-866-528-4342 or Phone: 250-428-4342
Fax: 250-428-9411
E-mail: crestonchamber@kootenay.com
Website: www.crestonbc.com/chamber
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