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Famous for Gold! – Hedley, BC
Wednesday, June 21st, 2006 by GetawayBC.com
Tucked beneath the impressive cliffs of Stemwinder Mountain to the west and Nickel Plate Mountain to the East, lies the charming village of Hedley, British Columbia. The natives once called this place “Sna-za-ist” – the Striped Rock Place – named for the coloured and striped cliffs on both sides of the canyon.
Made famous by the discovery of gold in 1897, Hedley became one of the great names in Canadian gold mining history. Named after Robert R. Hedley, manager of the Hall Smelter in Nelson, who had grubstaked many of the early prospectors, Hedley grew quickly and by 1900 boasted a population of over 1,000 with 5 hotels and a large stamp mill.
The V.V.&E. railroad arrived in Hedley in 1909 to help haul the gold out at the incredible rate of more than 50,000 ounces per year. In 1936 the Mascot Mine started operation, increasing the total production to more than 1.5 million ounces of gold and in excess of four million pounds of copper. By that time Hedley boasted all of the major conveniences of a small city, including a nine-hole gold course.
Between 1956 and 1957 there were several disastrous fires in the community and this, coupled with dwindling ore production from the mines led to Hedley’s steady decline.
Nowadays, Hedley is a quiet community with an approximate population of 350.
There are many Historic Sites and buildings for tourists to visit. The first stop should always be the fascinating displays at the Hedley Mining Museum and Wild Goat Gift Shop. Pick up a map and visit the incredible Mascot Mine, a 1904 miner’s cottage, Historic Log Barn and the Blacksmith Shop as well as Hedley’s fascinating and historic cemetery.
In May 1904 the Stamp Mill began to crush the ore from Nickel Plate Gold Mine and continued to do so until 1955.
Once a year the community celebrated Stamp Mill Day in order to commemorate the dropping of the first stamp and the retrieval of vast tons of gold from the mine high above the town, historically this included a parade, games for children, a picnic and competitions.
In 2003 Hedley’s Heritage Museum Society, with the help of other Hedley community clubs and individuals, revived the traditional Stamp Mill Day celebration and it will be celebrated again this year.
The celebration will be on May 5th and will begin with the ringing of the old fire bell, a hearty pancake breakfast, followed by the crowning of the Hedley May Queen, a parade, an outhouse race and wagon rides.
Other activities include gold panning, entertainment and old fashioned contests for all ages.
Community clubs, businesses and home owners will drape their buildings and homes with red and white bunting and volunteers dressed in vintage clothing will add to the heritage feel of the day.;