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History
The aboriginal people of this area are the Wet'suwet'en, a Carrier people of the Athapaskan
language group, whose oral history recounts a story of their origins in the village of Dizlegh,
on the Bulkley River just east of Hazelton.
Non-aboriginal fur traders began travelling though the valley in the 1860s, and missionaries
arrived soon after. The village of Kyah Wiget, meaning old town, later became known as
Moricetown, named after Father Adrien Gabriel Morice who came to the village in 1892. Father
Morice studied the native language and translated prayer books into Carrier. In 1866, the
exploration team for the Collins Overland Telegraph line came through, attempting to construct
an overland telegraph line connecting North American to Europe and Asia. Though their efforts
failed, the trail served as an access route to gold miners heading north. The Bulkley Valley is
named for Colonel Charles Bulkley, the Engineer-in-Charge of the survey team.
Little exploration was carried out in this area until 1892, when a provincial government surveying
team noted the potential resources of the valley. By then, the old telegraph tail was known as the
Dominion Telegraph line, and was being extended to the Yukon.
Gabriel Lacroix became the first non-aboriginal man in the area, arriving in about 1900 to farm on
the east side of the Bulkley River. Then, in 1903, the Fred Heal family settled on the east side
of Tyhee Lake. In a few years, settlement began in earnest. The now-vanished village of Aldermere
was staked in 1904, followed by Telkwa three years later.
The community of Smithers was founded in 1913 as the divisional headquarters of the Grand Trunk
Pacific Railway. The community took its name from Sir Alfred Smithers, the chairman of the board
of directors of the railway. Alfred Avenue is also named after him. Lake Kathlyn, one of the
most familiar spots in the Smithers area, is named after Sir Alfred's daughter.
In 1921, Smithers was designated the first incorporated village in British Columbia. Development
of local mineral and agricultural resources were encouraged and a steady economic growth was
realized. In 1967, Smithers moved from the status of village to an incorporated town.
Pioneer settlers made Smithers their home because of the fertile valley soil, its abundant
mineral riches and imposing coniferous forests. Later, tourism played an important part of
the economic foundation of the area. Following World War Two, many Europeans immigrated to
Smithers- notably Dutch and Swiss families.
Location
The Town of Smithers is situated in the Bulkley Valley of northern British Columbia along
Yellowhead Highway 16 approximately half way between the cities of Prince Rupert and
Prince George. Smithers is a member municipality of the Bulkley Nechako Regional District.
The Town's location is positioned with excellent road (the Yellowhead Highway 16), rail
(Canadian National) and air (Smithers Airport) connections to the rest of the province of
British Columbia.
Places to See
- Bulkley Valley Museum
The Museum and Historical Society operate the Bulkley Valley Museum with support from the
Town of Smithers and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture. The museum features
artifacts and documents detailing the history of the region. During the summer, there are also
programs for kids.
- Smithers Art Gallery
The Smithers Art Gallery opened in 1972 with the aim to promote and encourage local and regional
artists and to bring in exhibitions from elsewhere. The art gallery has been home for many
beautiful and exciting works of art, with shows booked at least two years in advance. At least
once a month, the Gallery holds an opening party with wine and cheese or tea and cookies in honour
of the artist's new exhibit. Exhibitions of 3 to 4 weeks are presented throughout the year.
- Glacier Gulch
Located roughly 30 minutes away from Smithers, Glacier Gulch is a 2-kilometre wide gorge with two
spectacular twin waterfalls cascading down its walls.
- Tobbogan Creek Fish Hatchery
Tobbogan Creek Fish Hatchery is located just off Highway 16, about 14 kilometres
(9 miles) west of Smithers. Situated beside the cold glacier-fed streams of
Toboggan Creek, the hatchery temporarily syphons water from the creek into their
spawning beds to rear coho and chinook salmon (also known as spring or king
salmon). But this isn't just a hatchery- it's a tranquil oasis. Open from April
to October, the hatchery welcomes visitors. You can take a tour of the hatchery
and learn about salmon. You can also use the immaculately maintained picnic
grounds, walk the creek trail, or, if you're in a group, set up a game on the
ball diamond.
Things to Do
- Fishing!
The names of the nearby rivers are known around the world: Bulkley, Morice,
Kispiox, Babine, Sustut, Skeena. The steelhead of the Skeena River system are
also some of the largest in the world. The Kispiox and Babine rivers in particular
are known for large fish. The Kispiox came to fame in the 1950s when fish
upwards of 40 pounds were caught. Steelhead between 20 and 30 pounds still
swim up the waters of the Babine.
Of the five species of Pacific salmon, four swim in the nearby waters. They are:
chinook, (also known as spring or king), coho, sockeye and pink. Check the BC
Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis for information on when you can fish for
salmon and other species.
- See the Aurora Borealis!
Magical, mystical- the northern light are a wondrous sight. Smithers sees the northern
lights winter and summer- but winter is best, anytime from October through March, when
the dark skies show off the colours. When the lights begin to dance across the sky-
sometimes green and white, sometimes brilliant reds - it is a sight few can turn away
from.
- Camping!
After a tiring day on the road, you'll appreciate the selection and amenities available
for RVer's and tenters. Within a 10 km/6 miles radius of downtown Smithers, there are at
least 5 choices for your RV and camping needs. Besides a number of private and municipal
facilities, one of British Columbia's famed Provincial Parks- Tyhee Lake Provincial Park- is
available to you. Some of the other spots are right on the banks of the Bulkley River, a
fabled steelhead and salmon angling river. And anywhere that you camp, you'll have a 'room
with a view' of the Hudson Bay or Babine Mountains. What are you waiting for- load up your
RV and head to Smithers BC!
- Canoeing! Kayaking! Rafting!
Smithers is a paddler's dream! Whether you're seeking a peaceful paddle around the lakeshore,
drifting on a placid stream, or experiencing the thrill of adrenaline pumping whitewater-
Smithers has it all. The Bulkley Valley is studded with lakes - large and small and the
surrounding mountains ensure a good supply of river water all season long. Rivers like the
Bulkley, Babine, Morice and Kispiox are all within easy reach. Smithers is also home to great
instructors in the paddlesports- canoeing, kayaking and rafting- if you want to develop or
improve your skills. If you're travelling in July, check the event calendar for the dates of
Tatlowfest - an annual celebration of rivers and paddling.
- Golfing!
Golfing in Smithers is scenic and minutes from downtown. The Smithers Golf and Country Club
is just minutes west and Riverside Recreation is just minutes east! Both are easy to find-
located on Highway 16, and both welcome travellers.
- Hiking!
Whether your idea of a good hike is a couple of hours of easy walking, or ten days of wilderness
trekking- you've come to the right place. A linear park surrounds Smithers, providing 11 kilometres
of gentle town and country walking. As you move a little further from town, there is terrain to
suit everyone. The Hudson Bay Mountain ski area provides easy access to the alpine for hiking
during the summer - and wildflowers splash colour across the meadows, so don't forget your camera.
If you want to hike for a day or a week - the Babine Mountain Provincial Park has peaks to climb,
valleys to cross, and tales of history to be uncovered. Information on trails is available through the
Visitor Info Centre or the Bulkley Valley Backpackers.
- Skiing!
Ski Smithers is a great family ski resort just 20 minutes from downtown. Three lifts, including a triple
chair take you to the top of Hudson Bay Mountain. Enjoy ski runs from novice to expert, including some
challenging tree skiing. Ski Smithers has a full service day lodge, with a restaurant and lounge; along
with a well-outfitted rental and pro-shop. If you're new to skiing or boarding- you can link up with a
friendly and qualified instructor at the ski school.
If you prefer to leave the lifts behind and see the backcountry - you will love the Bulkley Valley.
Smithers is surrounded by mountains and hundreds of miles of untracked snow! There is generally
enough snow to ski from November through June and enough terrain to suit the most demanding skier on
alpine touring or telemark gear. The town has good ski shops that can advise on where to ski and can
assist with gear needs. Back country ski guides are also available.
The Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre has it all for the track skier. There's a day lodge, waxing huts,
lighted night skiing and many organized events throughout the season. The tracks are well
maintained and a map is available of the ski area. The Nordic Centre is on Hudson Bay Mountain,
about 15 minutes from downtown. Groomed trails are also maintained across the valley at Howson Hut-
a privately owned ski area. Maps are also available for the Howson Hut trails. If you prefer something
closer to town, cross-country skiiers make their own tracks on the nearby lakes - Kathlyn, Seymour and Tyee.
Events
- Annual BV by Museum Garden Tour
A daylong tour of some of the valley's finest gardens! Tickets are $40 each, and this includes
transportation to all gardens, a gourmet lunch, and a coffee break.
- Bulkley Valley Midsummer Festival
The annual Midsummer Festival in June attracts audience members from across the province. It
provides a venue for local and regional musicians to perform musical acts on a large stage in
front of crowds of up to 2000 people, and to perform with professional musicians from around the
province and across Canada. It provides the opportunity for young children to interact musically
with professional musicians and allows them to explore music in a fun, creative way. There is also
a First Nations component, featuring participation from local performers.
- Bulkley Valley Fall Fair
Taking place the last full weekend in August, the Bulkley Valley Exhibition is a four-day fair, with
a festive parade on the Wednesday evening. Organized by the Bulkey Valley Agricultural and Industrial
Association, a non-profit society that dates back to 1919, this fair focuses on educating the public
in regards to agriculture and its importance in today's society. Attendance ranges from 20,000 to
25,000, with people coming from far and wide to see all types of animals, agricultural products, and
more. Floats are decorated in accordance to each year's unique theme, and the parade is always a great
way to start the fair weekend. With four full days, you'd better be prepared for lots of excitement!
Notable Comments
- For years, the alpine man had been a familiar sight to local Smithereens like myself. Positioned triumphantly at
the entrance of the town's main street, he would blow all-day and all-night on his wooden horn. None of us
knew where he had come from, nor why he never stopped blowing that bloody horn, but any efforts to make
him leave were answered by shrill blasts which deafened our ears and had us scrambling to get away.
Eventually, we just got used to him. He wasn't scaring the animals away, and if we left him alone, the noise
became tolerable. Even the tourists seemed amused- but then again, they didn't have to live with him.
At approximately 11:00am on a July morning during my thirtieth year, the noise stopped. It was the absence of that
omnipresent sound which had long plagued us that I initially found so disconcerting. Little by little, we abandoned our tasks,
and gathered in front of the alpine man. The horn was still in his hand, but he now held it near his waist, and simply gazed
upwards at the sky with a look of utter ecstasy on his face. Others looked to me for answers, but I merely shrugged in confusion.
At noon, the noise began again- but this time, it came from the sky itself. The air above us began to shimmer violently, and as we
looked on in fear, there suddenly appeared a giant spacecraft, quite unlike any I had ever seen. Its hull was a light shade of
gorgeous pink, and a series of unearthly yellow flowers were depicted throughout its many sides.
The alpine man lifted the horn to his mouth and released one final, resounding blare. A luminous tether sprang forth
from the spacecraft and took hold of his waist, before gently reeling him upwards. He disappeared through a tiny
aperture, and the ship flew off into the deep blue sky.
We gasped, and continued staring blankly, scarcely believing what we had just seen. Little Charlie Atkins was the one
who finally broke the silence by exclaiming, "I caught it on tape!" Sure enough, there he stood victorious with a
video camera in his hands. In the sheer absurdity of the situation, a wave of giggles began sweeping through the crowd.
The giggles soon transformed into uproarious laughter. We simply couldn't control ourselves. I guess we all went mad
that day.
- Charlie Burns, in his autobiography, "My Love Affair With Smithers"
- "I like Smithers!"
- Delores Clayburn, an enthusastic six-year old from Kamloops
Contact Information
Tourism Smithers
P.O. Box 2379
Smithers, BC V0J 2N0
Toll-Free Phone: 800-542-6673
Local Phone: 250-847-5072
Fax: 250-847-3337
E-mail: info@tourismsmithers.com
Website: www.tourismsmithers.com
Town of Smithers
1027 Aldous Street, Box 879
Smithers, BC V0J 2N0
Tel: (250) 847-1600
Fax: (250) 847-1601
E-mail: general@town.smithers.bc.ca
Website: http://www.town.smithers.bc.ca/
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