Arts, Culture & History Tours
Taking a walking tour of Ashcroft's late-19th-century and early-20th-century buildings is a great way to learn about the culture and history of the community.
Walking tours begin at the Ashcroft Museum and Archives where visitors can pick up a tour pamphlet describing Ashcroft's many heritage sites. Historically significant buildings on the tour are also marked with heritage plaques, each featuring a photo and brief description.
Historic Buildings
Some of Ashcroft's historic buildings are still used today for their original purpose. For example, local newspaper, the Ashcroft Journal, is published at the same location of its predecessor, the BC Mining Journal. The 1895 building has survived four major fires that have devastated the downtown core. The Opera House, built in 1889 as a town hall, still hosts musical events today. Ashcroft's St. Alban's Anglican Church, built in 1891, and the Zion United Church, built in 1892 are also notable heritage buildings. As well, many of the residences in Ashcroft that were built between the late 1880s and the early 1900s.
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Constructed in 1911, the former BX Express and Mail Company headquarters is located on Railway Avenue opposite Millennium Park (also called Heritage Place Park). The park is a great spot for a picnic, and features displays and plaques detailing the history of Ashcroft. Displays include an authentic First Nations pit house, an operating waterwheel, and a refurbished railway caboose outfitted with an antique newspaper printing press.
The Fire Hall
The Fire Hall, at the end of the main bridge, is perhaps Ashcroft's most iconic structure. The current fire hall, built in 1918, is a replica of the original 1899 building that burned to the ground during the fire of 1916. The original fire hall bell now hangs in the tower of the Ashcroft shopping plaza (300 block of Railway Avenue).
Drop by the Cache Creek Visitor Centre, just 15 minutes from town, for more information about walking tours in Ashcroft.
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Things To Do
Touring & Sightseeing