Butedale facts for kids

Butedale is a fascinating ghost town located on Princess Royal Island in British Columbia, Canada. A ghost town is a place that used to be busy and full of people, but is now mostly empty and abandoned. Butedale was started in 1911 as a place for fishing, mining, and cutting down trees (a logging camp).

At first, there was a large factory called a cannery where they processed salmon. This cannery was built by a company called Western Packers. Later, another company, the Canadian Fishing Company, took over and ran it until the 1970s. When Butedale was at its busiest, especially in the summer, more than 400 people lived and worked there! A post office even opened in Butedale in 1917, but it closed down on March 4, 1974.

What Made Butedale Special?

Butedale had some unique features that helped it thrive for a while. Right behind the town, there's a small dam that used to create electricity from Butedale Lake. This power was very important for the cannery and the town.

One of the most amazing sights near Butedale is the impressive Butedale Falls. These waterfalls flow directly from Butedale Lake into the ocean, right next to where the boats used to dock. It's a truly beautiful natural wonder.

Visiting Butedale Today

Today, Butedale is slowly falling apart, but it's still a popular spot for people traveling along British Columbia's Inside Passage. This is a famous water route that many cruise ships and ferries use. Passengers often get a glimpse of the old town as they sail by.

If you want to visit Butedale, you can only get there by boat, a special small plane that lands on water (called a floatplane), or a helicopter. There was talk about restoring the town by a group called the Butedale Founders Association, but for now, it remains a quiet, historic ghost town.

Gallery

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  Butedale, BC, April 1975

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  Butedale as seen from Fraser Reach

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  Butedale

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  Butedale General Store

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  Butedale seen from the middle of the channel