The Cariboo's historic landscape is rich with remnants of the 1860s gold rush, when thousands of miners rushed to the gold fields searching for the mother lode. Relive the wild gold rush days at one of the restored heritage town sites or roadhouses that have embraced the past as their present.
Barkerville Historic Town re-creates the prospecting era with colourful characters in period costumes, daily events and an entire town of heritage buildings. Rest at a roadhouse or amble by heritage barns, houses and antique farming machinery at Historic Hat Creek Ranch near Cache Creek, Cottonwood House near Quesnel or 108 Heritage Site near 100 Mile House.
Looking for more adventurous historic sites? Quesnel Forks is a riverside ghost town with a mining camp past. The Alexander Mackenzie/Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail retraces the steps of an intrepid explorer. And the "Freedom Road" is a breathtaking drive – especially near "The Hill" – and a crucial link to the coast. Many Visitor Centres have self-guided tour brochures that highlight local historic sites.
Gold Rush Sites
Follow in the footsteps of thousands of gold-hungry miners with a walk along the Cariboo Wagon Road. The original road extended north from Yale to Barkerville in the 1860s. Publicly accessible sections still exist at Historic Hat Creek Ranch and Cottonwood House.
Plan to spend at least a day at Barkerville Historic Town. More than 130 restored or re-created buildings and costumed interpreters set the stage for hands-on history from the late 1800s: pan for gold, hop into a horse-drawn stagecoach, tour historic Chinatown or listen to Judge Begbie deliver verdicts in court. Also watch for blacksmith and Cornish Water Wheel demonstrations. Historic restaurants and bed and breakfasts round out the experience.
Southeast of Quesnel are the remains of what used to be a thriving mining camp. Today, Quesnel Forks is a ghost town and an off the beaten track historical site. Wander around the fragile buildings and heritage graveyard – the only evidence of the thousands of past residents that lived here in the late 1800s – and pack a lunch for a riverside picnic.
Ranches and Roadhouses
Roadhouses provided a place for weary miners, stagecoach drivers and travellers to rest and eat before the next leg of the bumpy, dusty journey along the Gold Rush Trail. Three, well-preserved roadhouses welcome visitors and re-create an atmosphere reminiscent of the late 1800s.
Historic Hat Creek Ranch, north of Cache Creek, has many original buildings (such as a general store, roadhouse and stables), an orchard, stagecoach rides, a re-created Shuswap village, and an extensive collection of pioneer farming equipment.
Cottonwood House, east of Quesnel and on the road to Barkerville, features a pioneer farm with animals, a riverside walking trail, wagon rides and one of the oldest standing buildings in BC's interior.
108 Heritage Site is one of the famous Mile Houses on the Gold Rush Trail, and was named for its distance (108 miles) from Lillooet, the starting point of the road to the gold fields. An enormous log barn and a one-room schoolhouse are just some of the historic structures on-site.
Historic Routes
The Alexander Mackenzie/Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail was originally used by Aboriginals to trade grease made from eulachon (a type of small fish). In 1793, Alexander Mackenzie used these trails and became the first European to cross North America north of Mexico. Retrace his steps by hiking sections of the trail in parks east of Quesnel. Ambitious trekkers with time and experience can attempt the entire 350km/217mi long route.
The "Freedom Road" hugs mountainsides as it weaves its way between Anahim Lake and Bella Coola. This portion of Highway 20 was built in the 1950s by Bella Coola residents, who took matters into their own hands after government repeatedly denied their requests for a road. One section is nicknamed "The Hill" – just take it slow and enjoy the views.
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