Historic & Heritage Sites
Heritage buildings (Picture BC photo)
Ready to dig a little deeper and get on track with the history of Squamish?
Two major historic and heritage sites draw visitors to this Howe Sound-area municipality: the Britannia Mine Museum and the West Coast Railway Heritage Park.
Britannia Mine Museum
Visit the Britannia Mine Museum to discover the inner workings of what was once the largest copper mine in the British Empire. Located in Britannia Beach on the Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99), the Britannia Beach Mine operated between 1904 and 1974, opened as a museum in 1975, and received the status of a National Historic Site in 1988.
On the museum's Underground Adventure, visitors can pan for gold (keeping what they find), take an underground mining train ride through a tunnel that naturally maintains a temperature of 12°C/58°F year-round, check out dynamiting and drill operations, and admire the huge, 1923-built gravity concentrator mill.
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The Britannia Beach Mine has been used to film everything from movies like Insomnia and Scooby Doo 2 to episodes of The X-Files.
Also, check out photos and artifacts that document the mine's history, from the 1915 avalanche that devastated the Jane Camp to the May Day celebrations where a "Copper Queen" was crowned annually in the burgeoning boomtown. Since 2008, tours of the innovative new EPCOR Britannia Mine Water Treatment Plant have also been offered.
West Coast Railway Heritage Park
For train buffs, the West Coast Railway Heritage Park offers Western Canada's largest assortment of heritage railway locomotives, cars, and other vintage rolling stock. Founded in 1994, the park is best-known as the home of the Royal Hudson, a picturesque steam train that formerly ran between North Vancouver and Squamish.
Family fun abounds at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. Kids enjoy viewing lovingly detailed miniature train displays or ride a mini-train around the 4.9ha/12ac site. The annual "Day Out With Thomas" celebration of Thomas the Tank Engine, a whimsical cartoon character, is a favourite with young children each June. Year-round, check out restored railcars that date back to the 19th century, and pick up souvenirs at the gift shop.
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Hwy 99
Britannia Beach, British Columbia
V0N 1J0
Websitehttp://www.britanniaminemuseum.ca
Toll-free800-896-4044
Phone604-896-2233
It was once the largest copper mine in the British Empire. Today, the Britannia Mine Museum opens up a little-seen world that fascinates all ages. Just like miners did, you'll climb aboard a mine train and rumble into an authentic tunnel. Entertaining guides describe the workings of drills and tools from the past century. Every visit includes gold panning with the chance to take home frequent findings. The Family Play area keeps young ones entertained. A glittering gift shop offers unique stones and giftware. To reach the Britannia Mine Museum, head north on the Sea to Sky Highway. Watch for signs mid-way to Whistler.
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