The culture and history of Quesnel is a tapestry of First Nations influence, pioneer exploration, Chinese immigration, gold rush fever, and coastal fur trading.
From the first establishment of summer camps by the Chentsit'hala Carrier First Nation to the subsequent camps of Simon Fraser and early fur traders, Quesnel's location at the confluence of the Fraser and Quesnel rivers has been instrumental to the community's economic and cultural development. In the 1860s, the Fraser River guided many prospectors to gold fortune. Explore this rich culture and history at Quesnel's more than 30 historical sites and the Quesnel & District Museum.
Chentsit'hala Carrier First Nation
The Chentsit'hala Carrier First Nation made Quesnel their summer fishing camp, which eventually developed into a rich trading culture with the Nuxalk people, who provided nutrient rich Salmon and Ooligan Grease (a healing remedy made from fish oil by a culturally unique process). Eventually the trade route, dubbed the Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail, crisscrossed the plateau both west and south of Quesnel.
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Alexander Mackenzie visited the Chentsit'hala Carrier First Nation camp in 1793 while traveling along the Fraser River. The Carrier people encountered Mackenzie and convinced him to abandon the Fraser route, and travel the Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail along the Blackwater River. The Quesnel Visitor Centre provides information on visiting the Alexander Mackenzie Heritage/Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail trailhead, or hiking the entire 347km/260mi trail to Bella Coola.
Simon Fraser's Explorations
In 1808, fur trader and explorer, Simon Fraser camped at the junction of two rivers – the Fraser and Quesnel rivers – which today lies at the heart of Quesnel. The Fraser River (named after the explorer himself), at 1,375km/870mi, is the longest river in British Columbia. The Quesnel River (named after Fraser's lieutenant, Jules Maurice Quesnel) is the main tributary of the Fraser River. The Fraser River served as a main thoroughfare during British Columbia's gold rush, and propelled the province's early commerce and industry. Ceal Tingley Park is located at the site of Simon Fraser's camp and is part of Quesnel's Historical Heritage Walking Tour.
Chinese Cultural Influence
In the mid-1800s was there a noticeable population of Chinese immigrants on the northern Cariboo Chilcotin Coast. Chinese immigrants formed a substantial population of prospectors searching for fortune during the 1860s gold rush, with many settling in Quesnel, becoming an integral part of the town's economic and cultural growth. Learn more about Quesnel's Chinese cultural influence at the Quesnel & District Museum.
Gold Mining and Fur Trading
Quesnel's economy today is mainly driven by agriculture and the logging, lumber, and paper-mill industry, but its past is marked by gold mining and fur trading. In 1870, political analysts predicted that Quesnel would become the capital of British Columbia, due to its close proximity to Barkerville and the gold fields. During winters, gold miners would turn to fur trapping for supplementary income. The Hudson Bay Company (HBC) established a post at Quesnel to take advantage of this established trading. The HBC building is still standing today.
Learn more about the culture and history in Quesnel and the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast at the Visitor Centre.
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