Barkerville Historic Town 
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Barkerville Historic Town has an interesting history.
When the news spread in the 1858 that gold had been found in the fluvial sand of the Fraser River there were soon thousands of men panning for gold all along the river and its tributaries. When in the summer of 1862 Billy Barker made his sensational find here at Williams Creek a typical gold-digging town of simple wooden huts, tents, saloons and shops sprang up almost overnight.
Until it burned down in 1868 Barkerville was the "largest town west of Chicago and north of San Francisco". Although it was immediately rebuilt to a high standard the end of the gold boom was already apparent. The introduction of machinery meant there was a need for fewer men but more capital. Chinese coolies worked longer hours for less pay and Chinese dealers began to monopolize the market. A marked social regrouping took place in the new Barkerville.
When the news spread in the 1858 that gold had been found in the fluvial sand of the Fraser River there were soon thousands of men panning for gold all along the river and its tributaries. When in the summer of 1862 Billy Barker made his sensational find here at Williams Creek a typical gold-digging town of simple wooden huts, tents, saloons and shops sprang up almost overnight.
Until it burned down in 1868 Barkerville was the "largest town west of Chicago and north of San Francisco". Although it was immediately rebuilt to a high standard the end of the gold boom was already apparent. The introduction of machinery meant there was a need for fewer men but more capital. Chinese coolies worked longer hours for less pay and Chinese dealers began to monopolize the market. A marked social regrouping took place in the new Barkerville.
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Address:
Barkerville Historic Town, Box 19, Barkerville, BC V0K1B0, Canada
Phone: 1 (250) 994-3332, Fax: 1 (250) 994-3435
Phone: 1 (250) 994-3332, Fax: 1 (250) 994-3435
Hours:
May 15 to September 30: 8am-8pm
Facilities: Gift shop
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