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The
History of Grand Forks and the
'Sunshine Valley'
Written by Sue Thomson
Grand Forks' history is closely tied to the mining and
railroad boom of the 1890's and early 1900's.
The original settlers came for the rich farmland and
stayed on as the industrial era took over, including
three railroads, mines, smelters and power plants.
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Following
the town site survey in 1895, a large number of wood
frame buildings were constructed. A fire in 1908 and
another in 1911 virtually wiped out the original downtown
core of Grand Forks, however, business was booming and
many of the commercial buildings were rebuilt. The oldest
and only original building on Market Ave. is Andy's
TV, unchanged since its construction (except for more
modern display windows).
Many of Grand Forks' historic homes remain as do a number
of commercial and industrial sites. |
 The
slag piles, remnants of the days of the smelter, can
be seen just a short distance from town.
The first lumber mill was established by Ernest Spraggett
in 1895, just south of town. He cut two-thirds of the
lumber used to build the town. Later Spraggett had a
plant at Smelter Lake until it burned in 1901.
The first school was opened in the valley in 1892, and
a hospital was established at about the same time. The
post of fice opened in 1896. |
In
1897 the City of Grand Forks was incorporated under
the Speedy Incorporation Act, with John Manly as the
first mayor. His home, and many of the early city officials'
homes are listed in the Boundary Museum's Heritage Walking
Tour brochure.
 The
CPR built the first railroad into the Boundary Country
in 1899. The station, the oldest CPR station in B.C.
still in its original location, is located in West Grand
Forks, in what was originally the City of Columbia.
There was intense competition between the two cities,
for both wanted to be the commercial and railroad centre
of the valley. In 1903 the two cities amalgamated. The
name Grand Forks was chosen to represent the confluence
of the Kettle and North Kettle (Granby) Rivers.
The City of Grand Forks had its own water and electrical
system as early as 1898, and was also connected to the
outside world by telephone. |
 The
population, which started with just a few farmers, continued
to grow. The population in 1896 was 200 and had reached
1,000 by 1899. Today the city's population is over 4,000
with an area population of over 10,000.
3,200 miners were employed in the area in 1899, bringing
in monthly wages in excess of $300,000. Merchants estimated
their annual trade supplying the mines was $1,250,000.
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In
1911 the brick courthouse was completed with many beautiful
stained glass windows depicting the agricultural history
of the valley.
The original post office was replaced with a new modern
brick building in 1913, with a copper-clad clock tower
erected in 1914. Today this building is the City Hall,
having undergone extensive interior renovation and exterior
restoration in 1985.
Grand Forks' economy today is based on the lumber and insulation (Roxul)industries, and Tourism also plays a large part
in today's economic growth.
If you're a newcomer
to the area, we bid you welcome- you'll find the natives
friendly and helpful.
If you're just passing through, we invite you to come
back and visit us often. |
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