Robert Allan Brown facts for kids

Robert Allan Brown (born 1849, died 1931) was a famous and exciting prospector and investor in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He explored the Canadian province of British Columbia. People knew him by several cool nicknames.

Many called him Volcanic Brown, especially in the Kootenay and Boundary areas of British Columbia. He was also known by this name in nearby Eastern Washington in the United States. In the Similkameen District, some called him Sunset Brown. Others even called him Crazy Brown because of his energetic personality! His lively spirit made him a well-known figure in mining news across the British Columbia-United States border region.

Brown was very important in the mining world of the Boundary Country and the "Inland Empire" (a large area in the Pacific Northwest). He did many things, from being a very successful prospector (someone who searches for valuable minerals) to an investor and a promoter of mining projects. He even started Volcanic City, which was a mining town that didn't last very long. He helped discover many important mineral deposits, even though he never became super rich himself.

Why They Called Him Volcanic Brown

Brown got his nickname "Volcanic Brown" from a big idea he had. He believed that the richest copper (a type of metal) deposits in the region were still hidden. He thought these valuable minerals would be found in places where there had been volcanic activity in the past. So, he spent much of his life searching the Boundary Country for signs of volcanoes, hoping to find these rich copper veins.

The Mystery of His Final Days

In his later years, Robert Brown became very interested in the story of a legendary lost goldmine near Pitt Lake. Many people believe he died while searching for this mine, deep in the wilderness beyond the upper part of the Pitt River. Years later, a camp was found near the Stave Glacier, which is at the top of the Stave River. This river basin is just east of the Pitt River's upper course. At the camp, people found a glass jar holding 11 ounces of gold! However, no trace of Brown was ever found, not even his special solid gold dentures. His disappearance remains a mystery.

Places Named After Volcanic Brown

Robert Allan Brown left his mark on the map. Besides Volcanic City, other places are named in his honor. These include Volcanic Creek and Brown Creek. Both of these creeks flow into the Granby River about 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) upstream from the town of Grand Forks. This area is also close to where Volcanic City once stood.