Clinton's 20 in-town historic and heritage sites, such as Village of Clinton Municipal Office building, the Palace Hotel, and the Old Clinton Cemetery are easily accessed on a self-guided walking tour. Complete a day of touring at the Clinton Museum, constructed in 1892, which features an original strong box stolen during a stagecoach robbery in 1866. For even more historic and heritage sites in the surrounding Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region, including Kelly Lake Ranch, Big Bar Ferry, and the original OK Ranch, drive along a historic circle route beginning (and ending) in Clinton.
Historic Walking Tour
The Village of Clinton Historic Walking Tour Guide covers 20 sites spanning approximately 4 blocks, so set a personal pace on a self-guided tour of Clinton's history and heritage. (Mounted plaques conveniently mark heritage buildings and landmarks.) Highlights on the historic walking tour include the Village of Clinton Municipal Office, erected in 1873; the Old Clinton Cemetery, where the earliest grave (that of hotel owner Joseph Smith) dates back to 1861; the Integris Credit Union, which has a hand-painted safe dating back to the 1800s that the staff are happy to show off; and stone cairn on the corner of Carson and the main road, erected in 1958 to commemorate the junction of the original 1859 Cariboo Trail and the 1863 Cariboo Waggon Road.
Historic Circle Route
Take a historic driving route through the mountains, valleys, and canyons of Clinton and the surrounding area, rediscovering the gold rush and early wild west ranching. (A SUV is necessary for certain sections of the route.) Begin in Clinton on Kelly Lake Road, stopping at the historic Kelly Lake Ranch (at the junction of Kelly Lake Road and Jesmond Road), established in 1866 and marked by weather-beaten buildings. Note: The buildings are on private property, so please stay outside the fence. Drive north along Jesmond Road (part of the original Fraser River Trail) to Edge Hills Provincial Park. Just beyond the park at the mouth of Kelly Creek is the old Grange Mine, a gold mine that operated until the late 1940s. It is only accessible via the Fraser River by whitewater raft or jetboat. The Big Bar Ferry, which has carried passengers across the Fraser River since 1894, is one of the most interesting features along this drive. The ferry is pulled on cables using the river's current. The ride is free, but the ferry is seasonal (check with the Visitor Centre for schedule).
Across the Fraser River the road continues to Lillooet. (This stretch of road requires a SUV.) Continue to Big Bar Guest Ranch, located 5km/3.1mi north of the Big Bar Ferry. The route then drops into a hollow that shelters the buildings of the original OK Ranch, also known as the Red Dog Saloon. At Mile 64 of the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail there is a junction that leads back around to the north end of Marble Range, and then southeast to Clinton on Big Bar Road.
Stop by the Visitor Centre and pick up a copy of the Village of Clinton Historic Walking Tour Guide, and maps of Clinton and the surrounding area.