Historic & Heritage Sites

Knowledgeable guides take small groups on a tour through the railcar collection displayed on the museum's three parallel tracks. Don't miss the impressive Royal Alexandra Hall, which was reconstructed using components salvaged from Winnipeg's now demolished CPR Hotel. Trains Deluxe is located on Van Horne Street South.

Baker Hill

The historic Baker Hill district contains many elegant heritage homes, including one built for Colonel James Baker (the founder of Cranbrook) that dates back to 1889 – one of the oldest houses in southeastern BC. Other fine homes in the neighbourhood were built for lumber barons in the early part of the 20th century. The self-guided Cranbrook Heritage Tour, which includes a total of 42 sites, is available from the Visitor Centre.

Fort Steele Heritage Town

Fort Steele was originally known as Galbraith's Ferry, named for the enterprising fellow who ran the crossing of the Kootenay River – at least until the gold in Wild Horse Creek ran out in 1870. In 1888, the town was renamed in honour of Superintendent Sam Steele of the North West Mounted Police, who is remembered for his diplomacy between European settlers and the Ktanaxa Aboriginal people.

In 1898, it was announced that the long anticipated BC Southern Railway was to be routed through Cranbrook, bypassing Fort Steele altogether. The town began a period of decline that continued until the townsite was acquired by the Province of British Columbia in 1961.

Since then, an extraordinary renaissance has restored this frontier town back to its former glory and it is now known as Fort Steele Heritage Town. Townspeople in period costumes walk the streets, work in the blacksmith's forge, teach in the one-room schoolhouse, and perform on the stage of the Wild Horse Theatre.

Fort Steele Attractions

All summer long, the main attractions at Fort Steele are a 20-minute ride on the steam railway, rides on a wagon pulled by huge Clydesdale horses, gold panning and the practice of traditional crafts.

The Gossip Tour runs twice daily, at 11am and 2pm, during which one of the town's most notorious gossips leads a small group of visitors through the streets of Fort Steele, telling wicked stories about everybody else in town. It's a great way to get the inside scoop on a Kootenay Rockies town that dates back to the gold rush of 1864.

Fort Steele is 16km/10mi northeast of Cranbrook and the town has special events such as the Canada Day celebration on July 1st, the Fall Fair in early September, and a spooky Halloween event. Fort Steele is open year round and is pet-friendly. Picnic lunches are available from "Johnny on the Spot" at the main entrance.

St. Eugene Resort

In 1910, the Government of Canada funded the construction of the St. Eugene Mission – a residential school for Aboriginal children. In direct contrast with its unfortunate history, this huge Spanish Colonial building has been re-imagined into the luxurious 4 1/2 star St. Eugene Resort, complete with golf course and casino. St. Eugene is about 10 minutes north of Cranbrook off Hwy 95A.

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