Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Golden Country: If history is your thing, there’s plenty of it to see in this region

Historic Hat Creek Ranch, near Cache Creek, is one of the few surviving examples of the roadhouses which were spread along the Cariboo Wagon Road, and has been beautifully restored and preserved.

Golden Country: If history is your thing, there’s plenty of it to see in this region

October 6, 2021 //  by Barbara Roden

Share this:

For history buffs, BC’s Thompson Valley region offers lots to explore.

The Packing House in Spences Bridge is now a popular restaurant, but it started life more than 100 years ago as exactly what the name says: a packing house for the fruit (mainly apples) produced by Jessie Smith, better known as Widow Smith of Spences Bridge, whose apples were specifically requested by King Edward VII of England at the Royal Horticultural Fair in London.

The apples from Mrs. Smith’s orchards were carefully graded and sorted, with any long stems trimmed so they would not cause bruising (one bruised apple could ruin an entire box); then each apple was carefully wrapped in cotton batting and placed in a wooden packing box, for shipment all over the world. Today, diners can enjoy a delicious meal or snack inside a unique piece of BC’s history.

The Clinton Museum was built in 1892 of local brick which was provided by a short-lived business in the area, and is the only surviving brick building in the town.

Originally a schoolhouse, it was also used as a courtroom when need arose (with school cancelled when court was in session). It became a museum in 1956, and houses a large collection of artifacts and documents, records and photographs, about Clinton and the surrounding area going back to the Gold Rush days. Further exhibits are in the former livery stable behind the museum, and there are also numerous historic wooden vehicles on the museum grounds.

The roadhouse at Historic Hat Creek — pictured in this undated photo — sits directly beside one of the remaining stretches of the 1862 Cariboo Waggon Road, and has been completely restored for visitors to enjoy. (Photo credit: Historic Hat Creek)

Historic Hat Creek almost certainly needs no introduction. It’s one of the few surviving examples of the roadhouses which were spread along the Cariboo Wagon Road, providing food, drink, and accommodation (for people and their horses), and has been beautifully restored and preserved.

Stepping into the roadhouse, where interpreters in period costume regale you with stories of the property and some of the larger-than-life people who lived there, is like stepping back into the 1860s. Once you’ve toured the roadhouse, take a tour of the grounds, which contain other historic buildings, including a blacksmith shop, where you can watch the smithy at work (and maybe try your hand at pounding a horseshoe). Keep an eye out for the resident chickens, pigs and sheep.

At the museum in Ashcroft, BC, constructed in 1917, walk through the fascinating history of this town along the Thompson River.

Detour into Ashcroft and visit the museum, constructed in 1917 as a public building which originally housed the post office, telegraph office, Customs agent and telephone exchange. Fascinating exhibits allow you to walk through Ashcroft’s past – don’t miss the mining display on the second floor.

The historic Chinese cemetery to the east of town beside Highway 97C has been lovingly restored, and now contains beautiful glass mosaics, an altar and decorative headstones on the graves of those buried there. A large display board describes Ashcroft’s once-thriving Chinatown and the importance of Chinese immigrants to the province and area.

Ancient burial sites and preserved cave paintings are at the summit of Savona Mountain, which overlooks Kamloops Lake. The caves were not used for burials; the Secwepemc people believed that harmful spirits known as “land mysteries” lived in them. However, remains of burial sites in more open land are evident on the side of the mountain near the summit. The cave paintings were made by “the people of long ago” and are painted in red, the colour of life, good luck, and virtue.

Scattered throughout the area are the features known by First Nations people as “coyote rocks.” The most well-known one is probably the “Balancing Rock” between the top of Six Mile Hill and Savona, to the north of Highway 1. These columns or pillars with a rock balanced atop them are formed when a “cap” rock of hard material sits on top of softer sedimentary rock and silt, which gradually erodes, leaving the harder material perched on top.

According to Secwepemc legend, these markers were created long ago by the Old One (Creator) and his main assistant, Coyote, to mark Secwepemc territory.

The Soldiers Memorial Hall in Walhachin was constructed in 1912, and while it was used as a fruit packing house it also served a more vital function to the town’s residents: a central place for entertainment in the community. Walhachin was becoming known at that time for its large gatherings, and the hall – with its spruce-planked floating dance floor set on springs – was very popular with residents and guests.

The name was bestowed on the hall after World War I, which saw 97 of the 117 men living in Walhachin at the time enlist; few of them returned. A cenotaph behind the hall now commemorates these men, and the hall itself contains a museum which explores the short but eventful life of Walhachin, the not-quite-ghost-town.

To Get There

By Car from Vancouver: Spences Bridge is about a 3.5-hour drive along Highway 1. About 30 minutes north of Spences Bridge, turn right at Cornwall Road toward Ashcroft, or continue north to Cache Creek before the Trans Canada turns east toward Walhachin and Savona.

By Car from Kamloops: The town of Savona is located about 40 minutes west of Kamloops. Head south along Tunkwa Lake Road to access Mt. Savona Provincial Park, or continue west to Walhachin and Cache Creek.

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: British Columbia Destinations, Canada, Family activities, Local History, Staycation secrets, Things to do, WCT Intro

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

13 of the most surreal places to visit in the western US

You know those places that feel so dreamlike that you ask yourself, “Did I just…

13 of the most surreal places to visit in the western USRead More

Ancient species spotted along Trail shoreline offers hope for Upper Columbia sturgeon

What could be greater than a lunchtime stroll along the Trail Esplanade, with the sunshine…

Ancient species spotted along Trail shoreline offers hope for Upper Columbia sturgeonRead More

Sidney, B.C. museum launches exhibit on ‘most fascinating frontier’: space

A southern Vancouver Island museum invites you to explore the reaches of space with a…

Sidney, B.C. museum launches exhibit on ‘most fascinating frontier’: spaceRead More

Cloverdale heritage railway rolling out 2nd annual music festival

Surrey’s heritage railway is off to a busy start. The historic rail line in the…

Cloverdale heritage railway rolling out 2nd annual music festivalRead More

Crossing the Canada-U.S. border this summer? CBSA shares tips for a smooth trip

If you’re planning to cross the Canadian border during this summer travel season, the Canada…

Crossing the Canada-U.S. border this summer? CBSA shares tips for a smooth tripRead More

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest transitioning to cashless collections on June 21

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will transition to primarily cashless collections for day and annual…

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest transitioning to cashless collections on June 21Read More

5 ways to take an affordable family vacation this summer

You want to create memories and have a great time with your family this summer.…

5 ways to take an affordable family vacation this summerRead More

48 hours in Nelson, B.C.: Trails, taps and laid-back charm

I rolled into Nelson on a warm Friday morning, welcomed by a mix of fresh…

48 hours in Nelson, B.C.: Trails, taps and laid-back charmRead More

Brick-by-brick, stories beyond the history come alive in Kelowna this summer

Brick-by-brick, Canadian artist Ekow Nimako re-imagined ancient African kingdoms by building and envisioning a journey…

Brick-by-brick, stories beyond the history come alive in Kelowna this summerRead More

Previous Post: « CrabFest returns to Port Angeles Oct. 8 to 10
Next Post: Why wait for winter? Ski season starts this fall! »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

13 of the most surreal places to visit in the western US

June 18, 2025

Ancient species spotted along Trail shoreline offers hope for Upper Columbia sturgeon

June 17, 2025

Sidney, B.C. museum launches exhibit on ‘most fascinating frontier’: space

June 17, 2025

Cloverdale heritage railway rolling out 2nd annual music festival

June 16, 2025

Recent Posts

13 of the most surreal places to visit in the western US

June 18, 2025

Ancient species spotted along Trail shoreline offers hope for Upper Columbia sturgeon

June 17, 2025

Sidney, B.C. museum launches exhibit on ‘most fascinating frontier’: space

June 17, 2025

Cloverdale heritage railway rolling out 2nd annual music festival

June 16, 2025

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved