McDame facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
McDame
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 McDame
Location in British Columbia
McDame
Location in Canada
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
McDame, sometimes called McDame Post or Fort McDame, is a place in British Columbia, Canada, that used to be a busy settlement but is now abandoned. It's located in a region called the Cassiar Country, which is in the northern part of British Columbia.
A Golden Past
McDame got its name from McDame Creek. This creek was explored in 1874 by a man named Harry McDame and his partner, John Giscome. They were looking for gold!
The Big Gold Nugget
In 1877, something amazing happened at McDame Creek. Miners found a huge gold nugget! It weighed 72 ounces, which is about the size of a small brick. This was the biggest gold nugget ever found in British Columbia's history. It was worth a lot of money back then – about $1,300, which would be like $52,000 today!
The Trading Post
Because of the gold rush, a trading post was set up where McDame Creek meets the Dease River. This post was first owned by Robert Sylvester. In 1875, the famous Hudson's Bay Company bought it. The trading post stayed open for many years, helping people who lived and worked in the area.
However, over time, the gold rush ended, and fewer people lived there. The trading post closed in 1943. By 1960, the entire settlement of McDame was abandoned. Today, it's known as a ghost town. Nearby, there is also a place called McDames Creek Indian Reserve No. 2.
