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History
The area around British Columbia's Peace River Country remained largely unsettled by pioneers until 1912, when
the Canadian government opened the land for homesteading. As settlers from North America and Europe arrived over
the next decade, Dawson Creek became the area's main business centre. It remained a small community with a population
numbering in the hundreds until 1941, when the Japanese attacked Peal Harbour. Mindful of the need to protect North
American sovereignty, the American and Canadian governments agreed to build a road linking northern Canada and Alaska.
Dawson Creek was designated as "Mile Zero" for the Alaska Highway, and thousands of military and civilian workers poured
into the village, turning it into a boomtown. During the 50s, after work on the Alaska Highway had been completed, the village
experienced more growth. A railway and two more highways were built, linking Dawson Creek to other parts of BC. City status
was achieved in 1958, and by 1966, the population had reached 12,393. The population has not seen significant
growth since then, but the city has undergone three boundary expansions for future commercial and industrial development.
Also, since 1998, the city's website has experienced an increase in the number of visits by curious- and possibly naive- teenagers,
due to a completely unrelated television show bearing a similar name.
Location
Dawson Creek is centrally located in the Peace River Country in the northeast corner of British Columbia. It is at the junction
of four major highways (Highways 97N, 97S, 2, and 49), so access by car is very easy.
A modern airport makes Dawson Creek well connected to the rest of the world. Whether you are flying from
overseas, cross-country, or just need to conduct some local business, scheduled flights on Hawkair bring Dawson
Creek within easy reach.
If traveling by bus, there is daily service to and from Edmonton, Prince George, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson.
Places to See
- Visitor's Centre
Knowledgeable counselors are on site, and trained to assist visitors and residents with inquiries about the community,
region and province. The Visitor Centre has information on attractions, points of interest, and local events. Staff are also
updated daily on weather forecasts, road conditions, and any other important information.
- Northern Alberta Railway Park (N.A.R. Park)
NAR Park is the true "Mile 0" of the Alaska Highway. Within this four acre parcel you will find the Mile Zero Cairn,
Dawson Creek Station Museum, Dawson Creek Art Gallery, and the Dawson Creek Visitor Centre. The gift shop in the
Visitor Centre carries a variety of souvenirs, postcards, clothing, books and videos relating to Dawson Creek and
Mile 0. Public washroom facilities and pay phones are on site. Also, there are plenty of paved parking spots available.
- Art Gallery
The Dawson Creek Art Gallery is as unique as they come! Located in the Northern Alberta Railway Park, the gallery is
housed in a renovated grain elevator annex. Year round exhibitions feature both local artists as well as traveling
collections from major provincial and national galleries. Also in the building is an impressive photo exhibit of the
building of the Alaska Highway. The gallery's "Northern Treasures Gift Shop" offers a wide variety of local products
from local artisans and craftsmen. Bus and group tours are very welcome with reservations recommended. Public washrooms
are available.
- Walter Wright Pioneer Village
This historic village portrays a theme of Dawson Creek before the Alaska Highway construction period. It will
transport you to a time when the community was on the edge of the frontier. While at the village, stroll around the
fields and view farm machinery from the past. Also on site is Sudeten Hal. This building is a tribute to the Sudeten
people of Germany who came to the area in 1939, fleeing Hitler's army. Bus and group tours are very welcome at the
village. Reservations are recommended.
- Rotary Lake
This outdoor man-made lake is unique to the entire Peace Region. Used for summer swimming and the annual Polar Bear
Swim, this is a perfect place for picnics, beach volleyball, BBQing and other outdoor fun. The lake has NO lifeguard.
In the summer there is a food concession stand. Public washrooms and telephones are located at the park entrance
building. For more information, call (250) 782-7144
Things to Do
- Birding!
Dawson Creek provides unique birding opportunities. The city is situated at the union between the Boreal Forests and
the Taiga Plains. This creates an exceptional landscape allowing for a variety of habitats. In Dawson Creek the
rolling golden plains give way to lush woodlands, steep valleys, cliffs, and a variety of rivers where an assortment
of birds and animals can be found. The waterfowl refuge at McQueens Slough is a gold mine for nature enthusiasts.
It offers a boardwalk enabling visitors to walk in to the marsh without compromising the integrity of the natural
habitat. Bear Mountain offers several trails and hikes to allow for viewing nature in a relaxed setting. Local
woodland birds are prevalent at Kiskatinaw Park including the American redstart, boreal owl, and the Canada warbler.
Pouce Coupe Regional Park, located on the banks of the Pouce Coupe River and Bissette Creek offer leisurely birding
opportunities. Have fun, learn, and enjoy what Dawson Creek's ecosystems have to offer in the city and its
surrounding areas.
- Golf!
As with all golf hot spots, success in the region's numerous golf courses lies in our natural assets: rolling hills,
meandering rivers, and virgin forests. Dawson Creek and the surrounding area have some amazing opportunities for the
golfing enthusiast.
For a shorter course (6316 yards from back tees), the Dawson Creek Golf and Country Club has many demanding tee shots
and is a risk-for-reward golf course with at least three drivable par-4's. Great golfers love it. Some say it has the
toughest par-3 in the Peace Region. How many 240-yard par-3's have you played? 2003 saw this local 18-hole golf course
host the BC Golf Association Provincial Junior Championships. One hundred and sixty athletes from the province competed;
trying to qualify for a spot on the BC and Canadian Junior Golf teams.
Events
- Dawson Creek Spring Rodeo
The Dawson Creek Rodeo Club will host the 7th annual amateur rodeo. This exhilarating event features Saddle Bronc,
Bareback Riding, Bull Riding, and more. Watch the dynamic competition in each division as individuals battle for
bragging rights. Rodeo begins each day at 1 pm. To learn more contact: 250-782-2908.
- Mile 0 - Summer Cruise
This event draws in hundreds of spectators to relive the glorious road machines of the past! Get ready for a
weekend of fun, featuring classic cars, a street dance, BBQ, a road rally and much more. Local
businesses get in on the fun with special sales, so come out for all the excitement!
- Peace Country Bluegrass Festival
Get ready for a weekend of great music and entertainment. Bluegrass musicians converge on Dawson Creek from all over
Canada. Be entertained with musical talent, or bring your own instrument to learn how to jam! Weekend or day passes
are available. Advance tickets are available at select business locations. Youth under 15 are admitted free of charge
when accompanied by a guardian. For more information, contact: 250-782-9325
Notable Comments
- Taken from a copy of the Dawson Creek Inquirer:
Pacey Witter, a 50-year old resident of Dawson Creek, is baffled by a recent surge in his popularity among American
teenagers. For the past three months, he's received thousands of letters and long-distance phone calls from overzealous
fans.
"Most just want to know more about Dawson," he says. "So I tell 'em about the skiing on Bear Mountain, or about
the Station Museum, which is where I used to work- but they usually just hang up halfway through. I've tried changing my number,
but these kids keep figuring out how to find me. I didn't mind at first, but now it's driving me nuts!"
Witter's estranged wife Joey Potter could not be reached for comment, having recently run off to Paris with a famous film director.
- "I like Dawson's Creek!"
- Delores Clayburn, an enthusiastic five-year old from Kamloops
Contact Information
Tourism Dawson Creek
10201 - 10 Street
Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3T5
Toll-Free: 1-866-645-3022
Local Phone: 250-782-4714
Fax: 250-782-2371
E-mail: info@tourismdawsoncreek.com
Website: www.tourismdawsoncreek.com
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