There is an infectious, energetic rhythm in Fort St. John, a friendly city that has the
second youngest population in British Columbia. Optimism, wealth, and good, clean fun are in
the hearts of every resident.
Outside the city limits, a mosaic of croplands grow under the warm summer skies, creating a
patchwork that reaches out to the area's deep, clean lakes and lush forests. Here
adventurers, recreational enthusiasts, and wildlife share thousands of acres of pristine
wilderness playground.
While our long hot summer days are filled with water-skiing, hiking, camping and horseback
riding, our bright, wooly winters create the perfect playing fields for the avid sledders,
ice fishermen, cross-country skiers and hunters.
Fort St. John is the place for adventure, no matter the season. A place where weather
extremes are embraced for the challenge they offer and the satisfaction they reward.
In Fort St. John, leisure and pleasure are aplenty, and after a full day of action and
adventure, a day of relaxation and retreat are exactly what we offer. Treat yourself to a
full-body massage at one of our many massage clinics, or take a lazy stroll through a
Community Forest Trail. There's plenty in Fort St. John to unwind, recharge, or just
plain relax.
Adventure awaits you in Fort St. John. Seize the day!
History
Historically, Fort St. John traces its roots back to the end of the 18th century, when
Alexander Mackenzie opened a series of forts along the Peace River to service the fur
traders.
Over the years the community has been moved a number of times for varying economic reasons.
The present location is thought to be the sixth.
At the end of World War I, many veterans moved westward to the fertile agricultural lands
on both sides of the Peace River, and formed the population base for the tiny hamlet
of Fort St. John. In 1942, the Alaska Highway was built and in a few short months, Fort St.
John's population swelled to 2,000. With this new influx of population came George and
Margaret "Ma" Murray, who founded the famous Alaska Highway News.
With the completion of the highway through to Delta Junction in Alaska, the American troops
left and the population dropped all the way back to 700.
In 1952, gas and oil were discovered, and by 1957, the refinery at Taylor and the West Coast
Transmission Pipeline to the south had been built. On July 1, 1975, incorporation as a city
took place and Fort St. John hasn't looked back since then. It now boasts a population of
17,000 and a regional population of approximately 60,000.
Location
Fort St. John is located on a plateau above the Peace River Valley- 73 kilometres (45.5 miles)
northwest of Dawson Creek and 387 kilometres (240 miles) southeast of Fort Nelson.
Other Distances:
478 kilometres northeast of Prince George (5 hour drive)
1,237 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, BC (14 hour drive)
214 kilometres west of Grande Prairie, AB (2.5 hour drive)
2,461 kilometres southeast of Anchorage, Alaska (28 hour drive)
Places to See
- North Peace Museum
Did you know that Fort St. John is the oldest non-native settlement on the British Columbia
mainland? To learn more about the history of the North Peace pioneers, the history of the
city, and to check out so many more fascinating artifacts, visit the Museum!
- North Peace Recreation Centre
This is a multi-purpose facility that is mainly used for figure skating, hockey, and
public skating, but the arena can also be rented for personal use. In addition, the arena
can be rented for other activities once the ice is out for the summer.
- North Peace Cultural Centre
The North Peace Cultural Centre is home to the public library, Peace Gallery North, and an
excellent 413-seat live theatre. While there you can also check out the Cultured Cafe,
which has a wide variety of lunch items.
Things to Do
- Tour Dams and Dinosaurs!
Take a one-day tour through the breathtaking Peace River Valley to one of the world's
largest landfill dams, the W.A.C, Bennett Dam at Hudson's Hope. Munch a picnic lunch at
Dinosaur Lake and tour dinosaur displays at the Peace Canyon Dam. For tour schedules and
facility information, call 1-888-333-6667.
- Visit the Farmers' Market!
The farmers' market fashions the local fare. Enjoy homegrown tomatoes, bison steaks or some
of mom's fresh apple pie. The market is open Saturdays, May through December from 9am-4pm at
the North Peace Arena.
- Golf!
Fort St. John is home to two quality golf courses that cater to both beginners and seasoned
veterans.
- Walking Tour!
The city has a rich history that you can explore through the Heritage Kiosk Walking Tour!
- Stop and Smell the Flowers!
Fort St. John is a National Communities in Bloom winner with flower displays that are second
to none! Downtown streets are decked with outstanding hanging baskets and planters hand-painted
by local artists.
Events
For more events, please contact the Fort St. John Visitor Centre.
- Great Canadian Welding Competition
The annual Great Canadian Welding Competition takes place every August in Centennial Park.
Join Canada's top welders when they create their welding masterpieces! Participants are
given a theme and have 29 hours to complete their sculptures.
- High On Ice Winter Carnival
Come celebrate the arrival of the new year with a glorious carnival that features dozens of
magnificent ice sculptures! Frighten onlookers as you come tumbling down at top speed on a
shaky toboggan, or gather your friends and build a giant snowman!
Notable Comments
- At this year's High on Ice Winter Carnival, Karen Hinkle was adding the finishing touches to
her latest creation- a fifteen-foot snowman with a corncob pipe and a button nose and two
eyes made out of coal- when her five-year old daughter Crystal ran up carrying an old top hat she'd
found. Amused by the hat's novelty, Karen placed it upon the head of her snowman. He immediately
came to life, smashing all of the other sculptures and stuffing nearby spectators into his gigantic belly.
Thankfully, Karen had forgotten to give the monster any feet, so he was completely immobile. As he roared
and waved his treebranch arms through the air, a quick-thinking food operator grabbed a pot of boiling
water and threw it at his head. Much of the water missed, but the pot managed to knock over
the top hat, literally sucking the life out of the snowman. After carefully destroying his body with
warm water and shovels, the spectators he had consumed were freed and given hot chocolate. The top hat,
meanwhile, was driven to an abandoned mine 10 miles away and severely trampled, before being
blown up with a stick of dynamite.
- Duncan Malahat, in an article for the Dawson Creek Inquirer
- "I like Fort St. John!"
- Delores Clayburn, an enthusiastic nine-year old from Kamloops
Contact Information
Fort St. John Visitor Info
9523-100th St
Fort St John, BC V1J 4N4
Toll Free: 1-877-785-6037
Phone: 250-785-3033
Fax: 250-785-7181
Email: visitorinfo@fortstjohn.ca
Website: http://www.cityfsj.com
