Canada Travel Photo Gallery

Barkerville Historic Town

In times past Barkerville saw better times. When William Baker discovered gold in 1862 by the Williams Creek in the Cariboo Mountains Barkerville became one of the most infamous gold digger towns of British Columbia. Between 1862 and 1870 thousand of adventurers crossed the Cariboo Wagon Road to reach the goldfields by William Creek and Barkerville.

At the height of the gold rush Barkerville was the biggest town west of Chicago and north of San Francisco. After a short time the gold rush was over. The lovingly restored historic town Barkerville is a huge tourist attraction. Here the visitor can experience the olden times of the gold rush area.

Every summer the ghost town of Barkerville is open for tourists. The shops in the main street are filled with goods as needed during the gold rush. Every day during the tourist season theatre performance are held in the Theatre Royal. Daily bashing sessions are held in the Saloon which transports the visitor to the historical gold rush times of Barkerville.

The main street was once a teaming busy street during the gold rush. Today the tourists bring back the busy times in the Main Street of Barkerville. In Autumn when the tourists disappear peace and quiet returns to Barkerville.

The back street of Barkerville is quieter and has a more village like character. It seems as if the time stood still for ever.

Beside the about 130 restored buildings Barkerville offers other attractions as well. The Historical Museum is close to the entrance to Barkerville. There are a couple of exhibitions one about old weapons which were used by the then famous gunslingers. Another exhibition deals with the history of the Chinese emigrants during the gold rush. And of course an exhibition is about gold prospecting and digging.

Behind the visitor center of Barkerville is the St. Saviours Anglican Church. Every day during the summer month a sermon is held in this church.

Would you like to enjoy a coach ride through the dusty streets of Barkerville? For a couple of dollars Barnard’s Express will oblige.

Not far from Quesnel the highway 26 turns east winding for 90 km through forested hills of the Cariboo Mountains towards Barkerville the gold land of long gone times in British Columbia.

If you fancy staying over night in Barkerville the Saint George Hotel renovated in 1898 is ideal. The hotel is now a Bed and Breakfast establishment.

No one hast to go hungry in Barkerville. The Goldfields Bakery sells beverages, pastries, cakes and sandwiches. If you are lucky you may be able to sit at one of the three tables in the Goldfields Bakery.

The top picture shows the General Store of Mason and Daly in the Main Street.

The two clowns in the picture below are Dieter Weniger and Peter Klaeui standing in front of the saloon. Bad luck Ladies and Gentleman no alcohol is served in Joe Denny’s Saloon.