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History
Taken from Early History of Cache Creek by John Stewart
Two stories have been circulated concerning the origin of the name "Cache Creek". The
newer one is that the creek and town are named for "Mr. Cache", who settled along the
creek in the 1850s. The older and more popular story is that a bandit escaping from a
posse after robbing a gold shipment from Barkerville hid or "cached" his loot somewhere
along the creek. This story has the added allure that the hidden gold was never recovered,
and may still be waiting for a lucky finder.
Both of these stories are false without a shred of evidence to support them. In fact, the
name "Cache Creek" goes back much further than either story would allow, to the fur trade
era when the sole inhabitants of the B.C. Interior were the Indians and the occasional fur
trader.
The "cache" in Cache Creek probably means that the locale was used by the fur traders
as a cache or storage place for furs, fish and supplies. Such caches were commonly
used by both Indians and white traders. Tete Jaune Cache on the Yellowhead Highway has
similar origins. Then as now, Cache Creek was a stopover on the way to somewhere else.
Since the original Cariboo Road began at Lillooet and went to the Cariboo by way of Clinton,
Cache Creek was of little importance during the early years of the gold rush. In the
meantime, though, farmers and ranchers began to settle in the region. Probably the first
was Donald McLean who, after retiring from the Hudson's Bay Company, moved his family from
Kamloops to the mouth of Hat Creek in 1860. There he founded the earliest cattle ranch in
the B.C. Interior.
William H. Sandford was possibly the first person to settle in the Cache Creek valley itself.
Since he was an American, he was known as a "Boston Man" by the Indians, and Boston Flats, just
south of Cache Creek today, is named for him. Another early settler was Captain Cavendish Venables,
who arrived in 1862 but left two years later. In 1863, William Hood, who was living at Cache Creek,
undertook the contract to build the section of the new Cariboo Road from Cook's Ferry (now Spence's
Bridge) to Clinton.
The building of the road brought about Cache Creek's first hotel or stopping house in 1863 or 1864. It
was built by James Orr at Rattlesnake Hill about a mile below the bridge over the creek. In 1865, Semlin
and Parke bought him out, moved the hotel to Cache Creek proper, and renamed it Bonaparte House.
Charles A. Semlin arrived in B.C. from Ontario in 1862, and in 1864 he was working for the Cornwall brothers.
He ran the Bonaparte House from 1865 to 1968 with Philip Parke, who had also worked for the Cornwalls. At
that time, Parke sold his interest to Sandford and started ranching near Hat Creek. The Parke family
still operates this ranch today, which includes Donald McLeans' original ranch and roadhouse.
Charles Semlin gave up his part of the hotel in 1870 when he purchased James Campbell's Bonaparte Ranch just east
of Cache Creek. The Semlin Ranch became a well-known establishment in B.C., especially after Charles Semlin
turned to politics. First elected to the Provincial Legislature in 1872, he served the Yale riding continuously
to 1900. In 1882, he became leader of the opposition and finally served as Premier of B.C. from 1898 to 1900. He
died at Cache Creek in 1927 at age 91.
Cache Creek became an important station on the Cariboo Road because of a short-lived gold rush on the Big Bend of
the Columbia River in 1866. To facilitate access into the region, a wagon road was built from Cache Creek to
Savona's Ferry on Kamloops Lake. From there, miners could take a paddle wheeler to Seymour Arm of Shuswap Lake,
then overland to the Columbia River. From then on, Cache Creek was the place that passengers and mail transferred
to the stage for Kamloops and the Okanagan.
The first mail run to the Big Bend Country in 1866 involved an impressive physical feat. Moses Lumby, for whom the
town of Lumby is named, walked from Cache Creek to Savona with the mail on his back. From Savona he took a boat
and rowed himself all the way to Seymour Arm, then walked to the Columbia River to deliver the mail.
In the meantime, William Sandford opened Cache Creek House and advertised it as the best accommodation for people
en route to the Big Bend. The same year, James Campbell, who earlier had founded a ranch on the Bonaparte River,
opened the Cache Creek Hotel. By the 1880's, he owned the telegraph office and a general store as well. Unfortunately,
all three burned down in 1886.
By the 1870's, the interior was beginning to fill up with settlers and the provincial government became concerned over
education for the children. A report in 1871 recommended that a boarding school for the district be built at Kamloops.
However, Charles Semlin's political influence secured this school for Cache Creek, his own home.
James Campbell and Philip Parke jointly donated 25 acres for the school, which opened in June of 1874 with 18 initial
students. The first teacher, J.T. Jones, resigned in 1876 to take up ranching. He was tragically killed in 1882 when a
cargo of dynamite he was carrying for the CPR exploded on Jackass Mountain. The second teacher, Archibald Irwin, and
his wife Eleanor were fired in 1877 after a scandal erupted over inadequately locked doors between the girls' and boys'
dormitories.
The next principal and teacher was Thomas Le Duc, and the matron in charge of the dormitories was Mrs. Catherine Schubert,
famous as the only female member of the 1862 Overlander party. Her daughter, Rose, born at Kamloops in 1862 and the first
white child born in the region, eventually married Le Duc. The school was well run by Le Duc and both he and Mrs. Schubert
were highly regarded by students and parents alike.
As more schools opened in the interior, the enrollment dwindled until the school was finally closed in 1890. Though the
vast majority of the students were worthy citizens, two of the alumni were Archie McLean and Alex Hare, murderers of
Government Agent John Ussher in 1879.
Cache Creek remained an important station on the Cariboo Road through the 1870's and most of the 1880's. In 1871, the survey
party of the Canadian Pacific Railway passed through Cache Creek, or "Cash Creek" as one of the men misspelled it in his
journal.
The railway was eventually to reduce the town to relative unimportance. After Ashcroft was chosen as the railhead for the
Cariboo Road in 1885, Cache Creek declined. People no longer transferred there for Kamloops and the Okanagan, but caught
the train at Ashcroft. Cache Creek as a town had to wait for the era of mass automobile traffic after World War II.
Location
The bustling town of Cache Creek is located at the Junction of the Trans-Canada Highway and Cariboo Highway 97. It is situated on
the Thompson Plateau at the junction of the Cariboo and Thompson Valleys, which help to form the Interior Plateau. And, like
the areas surrounding it, Cache Creek also offers a variety of terrain. The Bonaparte River runs through Cache Creek and above
the deep valley of the river lies rolling grasslands which give way to surrounding hills covered in sagebrush and cactus. Above
the rolling desert hills lie beautiful mountainous terrain.
Places to See
- Juniper Beach Provincial Park
Juniper Beach was established as a Provincial Park in 1989. The park protects a representative desert landscape which contains
sagebrush, prickly pear cacti, and of course, juniper. Part of the landscape includes deep post-glacial deposits and large scale
erosion features. It is a convenient overnight camping spot for travelers on Hwy #1 and provides access to the Thompson River.
Both the Canadian National Railway and the Canadian railway tracks run by the park and provide an attraction to train-buffs. This park is also a popular base camp
for visitors enjoying boating, fishing, photography and touring historic Hat Creek Ranch and Ashcroft Manor, both nearby.
- Bonaparte Bend Winnery
Nestled on the Bonaparte River, this local winery prides itself in producing only 100% BC-grown fruit wines, purely natural. The
winery also houses a delightful and relaxing cafe, where travellers can sample a choice of wines and enjoy homemade meals.
- Historic Hat Creek Ranch
Historic Hat Creek Ranch offers a rare opportunity to explore the original buildings of a key location in the transportation history
of the Cariboo. The site also presents the story of early use of the valley by people of the Shuswap Nation and their more recent
contributions to the growth of the ranching industry. Here in the dry rainshadow climate, east of the Coast Range mountains, a unique
blend of cultures has evolved in a landscape of sage, bunchgrass and Ponderosa pines. Come and experience one of the most distinctive
heritage sites in British Columbia.
- Horsting's Farm
Horsting's Farm is a family owned and operated, fully operational produce farm market spanning over 80 acres near Cache Creek. Visit the
country market, filled with the aroma of fresh-baked bread, fruit pies, home-made baking and a delectable soup, sandwich and ice cream bar!
Sit and enjoy lunch and watch as the fruits and vegetables are hauled in early in the morning for washing, ready for your dinner table that
evening!
Things to Do
- Fishing!
Fishing is great in this area, and very popular on the Thompson River. Among the
best of the area lakes is Loon Lake, a long, narrow lake that contains rainbow,
kokanee, and steelhead trout. Boat launch facilities are located
at Barnes Lake, Loon Lake, and Pavillion Lake. There are few fishing runs as
legendary - or as threatened - as the steelhead run on the Thompson River, and
one of the main tributaries, the Nicola.
- Hiking!
There are lots of trails for visitors to explore Gold Country.
- Fossil Hunting!
Located just 13 kilometres east of Cache Creek are the famous McAbee Fossil Beds.
Dating back over 50 million years, the fossil beds contain over 80 plant species,
innumerable insect species, feathers, crayfish, and fish samples. McAbee staff
will provide the proper tooling and ensure a safe journey to the digging site.
- Golf!
The Semlin Valley Golf Course is a scenic nine-hole course that sits atop the sage
covered hills on the eastern corner of Cache Creek, displaying panoramic views of
three different valleys.
Events
- Graffiti Days
Held each year during the second weekend of June, this classic event features the
famous BC Old Time Drags and Rod Run, a Car Cruise, a parade, a Show & Shine, a Graffiti
Dance, and a Saturday evening barbeque. All 1970 or older cars are invited to join
the race, and everyone is encouraged to come in 50s style costume! If you've ever
driven a car, you'll want to be a part of this fantastic event!
- Traditional Bonaparte Pow Wow
View the First Nations drummers, dancers and singers as they celebrate their
heritage at this three-day event, starting at noon each day. Crafters will display
a variety of authentic hand-made items to treasure, and a selection of Native Cuisine
is offered which will tantalize your taste buds.
- Apple Harvest Festival
The historic apple orchard at Hat Creek Ranch features a variety of rare trees,
some of which are over 100 years old and still produce an abundance of delicious
fruit. Come out to pick your own apples or purchase already bagged apples for a
nominal fee, browse through the craft fair, enjoy hot dogs or home-baked delicious
apple pies, and make sure to bring the kids for games and stagecoach rides!
- Canada Day Celebrations
The people of Cache Creek cordially invite you to their next Canada Day party. Dance
and sing during the wild parade, get your groove on with some hip square dancers, and
cool off with a free swim!
Notable Comments
- "I like Cache Creek!"
- Delores Clayburn, an enthusiastic six-year old from Kamloops
Contact Information
Village of Cache Creek
P.O. Box 7
Cache Creek, BC, V0K 1H0
Telephone: 250-457-6237
Fax: 250-457-9192
Email: cachecreek@coppervalley.bc.ca
Webpage: http://www.cachecreekvillage.com/
Cache Creek Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 460
Cache Creek, BC, V0K 1H0
Telephone: 250-457-9668
Fax: 250-457-9669
E-mail: jade@coppervalley.bc.ca
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