Barkerville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barkerville, British Columbia
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Historic site
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Barkerville's main street, 2012
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 Barkerville
Location in British Columbia
Barkerville
Location in Canada
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Founded | 1862 |
| Historical town | 1958 |
| Named for | William Barker |
| Elevation | 1,230 m (4,040 ft) |
| Population | |
| • mid-1860s | 5,000 (Peak) |
| Area codes | 250, 236, 778 |
| Highways |  Hwy 26 |
| Website | www.bakerville.ca |
| Designated: | 1924 |
Barkerville is a special historic town in British Columbia, Canada. It was once the main town during the exciting Cariboo Gold Rush. Today, it's kept just as it was, so visitors can see what life was like back then. You can find Barkerville on the edge of the Cariboo Mountains, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of Quesnel. BC Highway 26 runs right through it. This highway follows the old Cariboo Wagon Road, which was the main way to get to Barkerville long ago.
Contents
History of Barkerville
How Barkerville Started
Barkerville got its name from a gold miner named Billy Barker. He came from England and was one of the first people to find a lot of gold here in 1862. His gold claim was the richest and most famous of all.
The town of Barkerville grew incredibly fast. It seemed to appear almost overnight! As soon as word spread about Billy Barker's amazing gold find, more and more people rushed to the area. His gold claim eventually produced a huge amount of gold – about 1,065 kilograms (2,350 pounds)!
Before a proper road was built, people had to carry their own supplies to Barkerville. They either carried everything on their backs or used groups of animals called "pack trains." Because it was so hard to get supplies, everyday items were very expensive. For example, flour could cost $1.25 per pound! Prices only dropped when the Cariboo Wagon Road was finished. Then, large wagons could bring in goods more easily.
Life in the Growing Town
At first, Barkerville was just a collection of simple cabins and tents. But by the mid-1860s, the town and nearby areas had between 3,000 and 5,000 people.
Even though many people were just passing through to find gold, Barkerville became a real community. It had many stores, places to stay, and even a drugstore that sold newspapers. There was a barbershop, a restaurant called the "Wake-Up Jake Restaurant and Coffee Salon," and a theater called the Theatre Royal. People even formed a group called the Cariboo Literary Society to read and discuss books.
People enjoyed horse racing and boxing matches for fun. Those who were more serious often went to church services, which were very popular. The general stores made the most money because they were the only places to buy food and supplies.
People of Chinese heritage played a very important role in Barkerville for nearly 100 years. They started many businesses, like the Kwong Lee Company. This was a large general store that sold groceries, clothes, tools, and more. The Chinese community also built cabins for miners to share, which helped them save money. They even had a place called Tai Ping, which was like a nursing home. Chinese community groups helped new arrivals and solved problems among their own people without needing the regular courts.
Challenges and Changes
On September 16, 1868, a big fire destroyed most of Barkerville. The buildings were made of wood, so the fire spread very quickly. But the people of Barkerville didn't give up! They started rebuilding right away. In just six weeks, 90 new buildings were put up. They also made the main street wider and straighter.
By 1880, there were enough children in the area for Barkerville to build a school. It had 13 students and just one chalkboard! However, Barkerville's population slowly started to shrink by the end of the 1800s.
The town saw a small comeback in the 1930s during the Great Depression. Many people were out of work, and the price of gold went up, making mining more appealing. But as the economy improved, Barkerville became a very small village once again.
Saving Barkerville's History
In 1959, the government of British Columbia decided to protect Barkerville. They created the Barkerville Historic Park. Over the years, the park's size grew.
Later, in 1998, the park was split into two parts: Barkerville Provincial Park and Barkerville Historic Town. Then, in 2006, the government changed things again to create Barkerville Historic Town and Park. This made sure the whole area would be preserved.
In 2008, the Chee Kung Tong Building in Barkerville became a National Historic Site of Canada. This two-story building was built in 1877. It was used by a Chinese organization that helped new Chinese immigrants and merchants. It shows how immigrant communities built strong support systems in new places across Canada.
Barkerville Historic Town and Park Today
Today, Barkerville looks just like it did during its busiest times, thanks to a big restoration project in the 1950s. Experts researched the history of every building to make sure it was rebuilt correctly. No one lives in the historic town anymore; the original residents either sold their properties or moved to a new area nearby.
Barkerville Historic Town and Park also has three camping sites for visitors: Government Hill, Lowhee, and Forest Rose.
The town has even been used as a filming location! Part of the western movie Harry Tracy, Desperado was filmed here. More recently, the 2022 Punjabi film Chhalla Mud Ke Nahi Aaya was also shot in Barkerville.
Notable people
- Bert Sincock – a Major League Baseball pitcher
Images for kids
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Barkerville in 1865
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St. Saviour's Anglican Church
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A Gold nugget found near Barkerville, weighing 35 grams (1.2 ounces).
