Barkerville Historic Town & Park
  • About
    • Brief History
    • Governance
    • Careers
  • Discover
    • Main Season
    • 2022 Virtual School Field Trips
    • Winter Season
    • Special Events
    • Archives
  • Stay
    • Accommodations
    • Campgrounds
    • Surrounding Area
    • Book Now
  • Visit
    • Hours, Rates & Admission
    • Places to Shop & Eat
    • Getting Here
    • COVID-19 Changes
    • Town Map
    • Groups
    • FAQs
  • Gifts & Giving
    • Barkerville Online Gift Store
    • Mason & Daly Online
    • Become a Donor

SEPTEMBER IS BC FIREFIGHTER APPRECIATION MONTH AT BARKERVILLE HISTORIC TOWN

James Douglas September 10, 2010 Blog

 

On September 16, 1868, a devastating fire in Barkerville spread quickly through the town’s compliment of wooden buildings, shingled roofs, and canvas ceilings to almost completely devour what had by then become the centre of British Columbia’s economic activity. 

With the harshness of winter fast approaching, those industrious and persistent Barkerville pioneers struck back in the face of misfortune.  Reconstruction began two days later, at an impressive pace.  Within six weeks, ninety buildings had been rebuilt, the town’s boardwalks were improved, and Barkerville’s previously narrow and winding main street was both widened and straightened.

To commemorate this amazing feat – the rebuilding of what was considered to be “the largest city north of San Francisco and west of Chicago” – and to show appreciation for the continued, dedicated work of British Columbia’s professional and volunteer firefighters over the last century-and-a-half, Barkerville Historic Town has proudly declared September “Firefighter Appreciation Month.”

Any BC firefighter visiting Barkerville from now until September 26th, 2010, will receive a free family admission pass when he or she presents valid identification.

In addition, Saturday, September 18th – 142 years to the day that Barkerville’s rebuilding began – is now officially Williams Creek Fire Brigade Day at Barkerville.

Fire Brigade-themed games and activities are planned for the general public on Saturday afternoon, including an Amazing Race-style relay to “help rebuild Barkerville,” and a special “Fire Brigade Follies” edition of the Theatre Royal’s fall season show “Gold Rush Nuggets,” at both 1 pm and 7 pm.  Members of the Wells Volunteer Fire Brigade will be on hand throughout the day to show off their skills and equipment, and to answer any questions guests may have about modern ways to keep valuable resources like Barkerville Historic Town safe from seasonal wildfires.

The fast arrival of fresh lumber played a critical part in the recovery of Barkerville after the Great Fire of 1868.  Thanks to the funding from the Federal Government’s Western Economic Diversification initiatives, and the restoration efforts of the Quesnel Antique Machinery Park, visitors to Barkerville during Williams Creek Fire Brigade Day on September 18th will also have a rare opportunity to witness the revival of Barkerville’s 1868 Waterous Engine Works sawmill.  The refurbished “rack and pinion” sawmill will be fired up at the machinery shed on Barkerville’s back street at 2:30 pm.

Come visit Barkerville Historic Town on September 18th – Williams Creek Fire Brigade Day – and help honour the efforts of those who continue to keep our province safe from fire while enjoying a beautiful autumn afternoon filled with fun, firefighter-themed activities.

SURVEY SAYS: BARKERVILLE A CONSIDERABLE BENEFIT TO THE ECONOMY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA NEW FUNDING FOR BARKERVILLE WORK

Related Posts

GFH Mrs. Parker 2

Blog/

Barkerville launches campaign to make old-fashioned connections with those living in isolation

December 1, 2020 (Barkerville, BC) – For more than 60 years Barkerville Historic Town & Park has been sharing history and common humanity with its visitors to through live, interactive storytelling that is compassionate, personal, and compelling. With the resurgence of a COVID-19 risk in Canada, the National Historic Site’s planned on-site winter interpretive programs […]

An Original Peoples’ Perspective (Cheryl Chapman, Mike Retasket) photo by Jonny Bierman

Blog/

Barkerville re-launches innovative Virtual Field Trip program for schools across BC

September 30, 2020 (Barkerville, BC) – Barkerville Historic Town & Park is pleased to announce the re-launch of a ground-breaking Virtual Field Trip program that will again provide classrooms from across the province a unique opportunity to connect with Barkerville’s award-winning educators and historical interpreters… live and in real-time. For more than 60 years, the […]

Blog/

An Apology re: July 3rd Glacier Media Advertisement

We are deeply sorry for any hurt and confusion our recent newspaper advertisement has caused. We see now that our choice of words could be interpreted as Barkerville making light of one of the darkest chapters in the history of the indigenous peoples of British Columbia. This was not our intention – in fact quite […]

Get in Touch

Email: barkerville@barkerville.ca – Phone: 1-888-994-3332 – Fax: 250-994-3435 – Address: 14301 Hwy 26 E. Box 19, Barkerville, BC, V0K 1B0

About
Brief History
Governance
Careers
Donate

Discover
Main Season
Winter Season
Special Events
Archives

Stay
B &B’s
Cottages
Campgrounds
Surrounding Area
Book Now

Groups
Tour Groups
Virtual Programs
School Field Trips
Winter Trips
Private Events

Visit
Hours & Rates
Getting Here
Places to Shop & Eat
Town Map

 

© Barkerville Historic Town & Park 2022
Barkerville Historic Town & Park

請留下您的聯繫方式,我們的中文客服會盡快與您聯繫,制定最適合的旅游方案。

  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY