Grand Forks (population 4,126) is a small town with a colourful heritage and an enviable natural setting. Farmland and wilderness surround the community so closely that wild deer are a daily sight on city streets. People are drawn for hiking, biking, swimming, fishing and camping in provincial parks.
Even a casual drive through Grand Forks reveals a rich and diverse past. The Palladian-style red brick courthouse (1912) houses the art gallery, heritage displays and serves as the starting point for downtown architectural and art walks. West of town, a driving route explores the Phoenix Interpretive Forest and mine site.
On the slopes of Hardy Mountain overlooking the town, the Fructova Heritage Centre displays artifacts, photographs and models of the region's mining and forestry history along with reminders of its original purpose as the school for Doukhobor children.
Doukhobor Culture
The Doukhobors, a pacifist sect that sought to escape persecution in Russia, settled around Grand Forks between 1909 and 1913. Their influence is evident everywhere from restaurants that serve borscht and other Russian cuisine to the Mountainview Douhkobor Village and the Doukhobor flourmill.
Outdoor Activities
Set in the Monashee Mountains at the junction of the Kettle and Granby rivers, Grand Forks is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Swimming, canoeing and kayaking, tubing, fishing and camping are all popular both along the rivers and in provincial parks at nearby lakes. An 18-hole golf course is located minutes from downtown. The Trans Canada Trail, the VV&E rail trail and a host of other trails appeal to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
In winter, the Phoenix Mountain ski hill attracts downhill skiers and snowboarders while a number of options are available for cross-country skiers and snowshoers.
Agriculture
Grand Forks is surrounded by a fertile agricultural valley with farms and markets. Homesteaders first came to the "Sunshine Valley" before the mines opened in the late 1890s and the Doukhobors settled here because of the promise of self-sufficiency on the land. Grand Forks was once the major seed producer in Canada and its agricultural tradition continues.
Tour an orchard or buy organic cheese right from the farm. In summer, there's a wide selection of produce available at the farmers market on Tuesday and Friday mornings.
Getting Started
Stop by the Grand Forks Visitor Centre, located at 524 Central Avenue (Hwy 3) in the heritage courthouse. This stunning building also hosts the art gallery and historic exhibits. Staff can provide brochures on historic sites and agricultural attractions, information on accommodations and dining, and maps for walking and driving tours.
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