Boundary Creek (British Columbia) facts for kids
Boundary Creek is a cool stream in the Boundary Country area of south-central British Columbia, Canada. It's a branch of the Kettle River. The creek is about 32 kilometers (20 miles) long. It flows from the northeast, goes past the east side of a town called Midway, and only a tiny part (about 0.4 kilometers or 1/4 mile) of it flows into Washington state in the US.
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What's Special About Boundary Creek?
This creek has an interesting history! Around 1860, some people called it "American Creek," but "Boundary Creek" was the name most people used nearby.
Meeting at the Border
In September 1860, something important happened near the creek. Surveyors from America and Britain were working to find the exact line for the 49th parallel. This line marks the border between Canada and the United States. They started from different directions and met near Boundary Creek.
However, their lines didn't quite match up! Their measurements were about 274 to 366 meters (300 to 400 yards) apart. It turned out the American line was more accurate. This meeting was a big step in figuring out the border between the two countries.
Gold Rush Days
Boundary Creek was also a place where people searched for gold! American prospectors first found gold here in 1859. For the next ten years, many people came to mine for gold in the creek. Even after that, people continued to mine, but on a smaller scale. Imagine finding gold nuggets that were worth $50 back then! That was a lot of money at the time.
The Mystery of the Lost Mine
Local historian Bill Barlee has a fun theory about Boundary Creek. He thinks that the very top part of the creek, where it begins, might be the location of a famous "lost mine." This mine belonged to a person named Henry Morgan, who lived in Greenwood, British Columbia. It's a cool mystery to think about!
Boundary Creek Provincial Park
Along this creek, you'll find the beautiful Boundary Creek Provincial Park. It's a great place to visit and enjoy nature. If you like fishing, you might be interested to know that different kinds of fish live in Boundary Creek. These include colorful rainbow trout and brook trout.
