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History
Prior to the discovery of gold in the Cariboo region in 1859, tribes of Carrier First Nations inhabited the site of
the City of Quesnel, at the junction of the Fraser and Quesnel rivers. It was just a jungle of trees and brush-covered
hills.
William Dietz, Ned Stout and several other companions had discovered gold on Williams Creek in the early spring of
1861. When Billy Barker staked a claim below the canyon on Williams Creek, other miners made fun of him, but in 1862,
Barker & Company made their richest strike on the creek. It triggered the Cariboo gold rush and the boomtown of
Barkerville, which, in its heyday, boasted it was the largest city west of Chicago and north of San Francisco.
Quesnel, overshadowed by the glamour and frolics of Barkerville, gained importance during the 1860s as a stopover and
supply depot for the miners in the gold fields.
Quesnel was, at first, reached by land over First Nations trails and later by the Cariboo Wagon Road. The appearance
of steamships made it possible to carry more supplies and gold seekers up the Fraser River. As more and more people
recognized the profit to be made in the supply town of Quesnel, many settlers chose to stay. Thus, Quesnel sustained
continued growth in the years following the gold rush, while many other towns in the area were abandoned and left to
crumble.
Although there were many farms and ranches in the area, gold mining was the major industry in the area until the 1940s.
Forestry and ranching were important in Quesnel and remain so today along with the growing tourism industry.
Location
Quesnel is located between Prince George and Williams Lake, at the junction of Cariboo Highway 97 and Bakerville
Highway 26 in the Cariboo region of the BC Interior.
Places to See
- Bowron Lake Provincial Park
World class Bowron Lake Provincial Park is a true jewel in the Quesnel area. People from all over the world come to
canoe or kayak the 116-kilometre chain of lakes and rivers. The park boasts lofty mountain peaks, sensitive marshlands,
and abundant wildlife. The scenery is incredible. For those who want a simple day on the beach or to experience great camping,
the park has ample facilities to accommodate that need as well.
- Lebourdais Park
LeBourdais Park is Quesnel's main city park, located in North Quesnel. Its facilities include picnic tables, a
childrens' playground, water spray park, a band stand, and a little league baseball diamond. LeBourdais Park is also
home to the Quesnel Museum and Rose Garden, the Tourist Infocentre and the Billy Barker Days Society building.
Bordering the park is the Pioneer Cemetery, the Twin Arenas and the Quesnel Curling Rink. The tennis courts are
nearby, as is the Quesnel Library. LeBourdais Park was named after Louis LeBourdais, who represented this area in
B.C.'s Legislative Assembly in Victoria. His gravestone is found in Pioneer Cemetery.
- Ceal Tingley Park
Ceal Tingley Park is located at the confluence of the Fraser and Quesnel Rivers within the city. Adorned with flower
gardens, towering Cottonwood trees and evergreens, this park is the beginning of the Riverfront Trail walking system.
Once a sawmilling site, you can now see a restored antique steam shovel used by gold miners from another era. Enjoy a
picnic or relax on the lawn in the shade and listen to the rivers as they quietly slide by. A truly delighful place in
the midst of a bustling city.
- Pinnacles Provincial Park
This park is best known for its very intriguing twelve million year old geological rock formations,
locally known as "hoodoos". This location also affords excellent views of the scenic Baker Creek
Canyon and the City of Quesnel as a backdrop. Access to Pinnacle Park is close and easy. Simply
travel west, over the Moffat Bridge which crosses the Fraser River, turn right at first light onto
Baker Drive and look for the park entrance sign at the top of the hill- about 6 kilometres from the city centre.
- Quesnel Museum
The Quesnel Musuem has over 30,415 artifacts and archival items professionally preserved and presented on 11,000
square feet of ground level display space. It includes one of the most significant collections of rare Chinese
artifacts in North America, as well as Mandy, the infamous haunted doll whose ghastly visage has caused many a tourist
to run straight out of Quesnel without looking back. Many tourists have died since Mandy arrived at the museum in
1991. Coincidence? Of course not.
Things to Do
- Tour Downtown Quesnel!
The heart of the city has many unique shops and restaurants for your shopping and dining enjoyment.
- Walk through the Riverfront Trail System!
The Riverfront Trail system was created to give residents and visitors access to the river environment and to provide
a scenic, peaceful circle tour through the community. Points of interest have been clearly marked along the entire
system, with plaques describing Quesnel's history and development throughout the years.
- Fishing!
The Cariboo region has thousands of lakes, ponds, and rivers that are great for fishing. Dragon
Lake is a fly fisher's dream and features plenty of trophy-sized rainbow trout. The
Quesnel River has Rainbow Trout, Bull Trout, and Spring Salmon- all of which can reach up
to 30 lbs during the summer.
- Cross-country Skiing!
One of the best Nordic ski areas in Western Canada, Hallis Lake is also great for walking,
hiking, and biking in the spring, summer, and fall. Nordic skiers can enjoy trails for all skill
levels, loops of up to 32 kilometres, a 2.5 kilometre lighted track, a biathlon area, and a day
lodge. Hallis Lake trails are maintained by the Cariboo Ski Touring Club, which charges a nominal
winter day fee.
Events
- Billy Barker Days
The Billy Barker Days Festival is a four-day celebration of the Cariboo's historic gold
rush and features over a hundred family events. Features a golf tournament, a carnival,
free live entertainment, a huge fireworks display, a barn dance, and- of all things,
a toddler triathlon! Takes place on the third weekend of July. E-mail billyb@quesnelbc.com
or call 1-250-992-1234 for more information.
- Family Day
If you have a family, or if you're desperately in need of one, come out to this annual event
in June to enjoy free entertainment, lots of glorious, glorious prizes, and food so tantalizing,
your tongue will explode with delight. Wow!
- Gold Rush Fun Run
This annual July event allows participants to emulate the scores of gold miners who ran through
British Columbia in a desperate attempt to stake their claims during the Cariboo Gold Rush.
Of course, you don't have to run like a gold miner, even if it's more fun. Feel free to jog at a
leisurely pace while enjoying the scenery.
Notable Comments
- While exploring an old abandoned museum within the doomed city of Quesnel, I came across an
ancient doll encased in broken glass. Her eyes were closed, but when I cast my light upon her
crumbling face, they fluttered open, revealing two green orbs which seemed to follow my gaze.
From the depths of that long-dead toy, there suddenly came a terrible wailing- like an infant
lost in the darkness. A sudden weakness passed over me and I collapsed to the ground. For hours
I lay there helplessly, while that cursed doll continued her horrific screaming- until at last,
there came a sudden silence, and I found my strength returning. Cautiously, I approached
again. Her face was suffused with utter joy, as if some heavy burden had finally been lifted.
I turned and ran. Reader! If you had faced the same ordeal, you too would have done the same!
I did not stop until I had reached the outskirts of Quesnel, and only then, did I pause and allow
my gaze to pass again on the decaying remnants of that once-proud city. I have not returned since then,
nor do I ever plan to. May the secrets of that cursed doll be forever locked within those abandoned walls!
- Dawson Ainsworth, in the prologue to his frightening novel Dawn of the Doll
- "I like Quesnel!"
- Delores Clayburn, an enthusiastic eight-year old from Kamloops
Contact Information
City of Quesnel
410 Kinchant Street
Quesnel, B.C. V2J 7J5
Telephone: 1-250-992-2111
Fax: 1-250-992-2206
Email: cityhall@city.quesnel.bc.ca
Website: http://www.city.quesnel.bc.ca
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