GOLD RUSH ALONG THE FRASER RIVER
In 1858, the crown colony of British Columbia was established. The gold rush or gold rush had been going on for some time, but a startling gold find near the Fraser River led to the claim to the suddenly valuable area accelerating. Thousands of pioneers flocked to British Columbia, followed by tens of thousands of miners and workers to build roads, bridges and railway lines.
THE GOLD RUSH TRAIL
The route from New Westminster to Barkerville runs parallel to the Fraser River. Driving along highway BC-97 you pass beautiful landscapes. They are the same landscapes that the pioneers saw, at the slow pace of horse-drawn carriages, hampered by many obstacles: fast-flowing water, soggy soils and narrow passages along steep rock faces. In addition, there were violent conflicts with the indigenous people, the Indians. The toll was high, but the urge to find a rich gold vein was greater.
THE LEGACY OF THE GOLD RUSH
The route you drive leads past historic places, which often lent their name to important characters from this turbulent period. Numerous places give you a glimpse into the life of the prospectors. You can visit open-air museums, have a beer in a saloon, or stay overnight in an authentic road house. You can also take note of the cultural heritage of different Native American peoples, who will highlight the gold rush from a completely different perspective.
