Celista

Nearby Communities Blind Bay Chase Salmon Arm Scotch Creek Sorrento

Celista is a small town set amongst picturesque backdrops on the north shores of the Shuswap Lake. This region teems with outdoor adventure activities such as hiking, mountain biking, golfing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Of course, there are the water sports as well. Residents will be quick to tell visitors that summer days are best spent boating, swimming and fishing in the clear waters of Shuswap Lake. Celista is also home to the world-famous Sockey salmon run on the Adams River. With so much wilderness and a mix of unique restaurants and art galleries, Celista is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway.

History

Human history in the North Shuswap began thousands of years ago with the indigenous cultures. Before 1800, the lake supported over 2,000 natives.

In 1895, the first white settlers left Minnesota and traveled by CPR to Notch Hill. The Henry Bischoff family wheel barrowed their belongings to Trappers Landing (now Sorrento) and then crossed the lake to Scotch Creek where they settled at what is now Captain's Village Marina.

An insurgence of settlers followed. Many came from the mining town of Phoenix in southern BC, thanks for Dave Garland. The women were often city girls unsuspecting of the hard life of a pioneer. The newcomers squatted on property that appealed to them and it wasn't until 1913 and after that these homesteaders had legal right to their property.

In early years, the only transportation was by water. Before 1914, Henry Bischoff used a rowboat and raft to transport people and supplies. Ferry service began in 1914 between Scotch Creek and Sorrento and continued until 1956.

The roads in the region began as small trails between homesteads and to the lake for mail. As the population increased, these trails were widened and eventually a gravel road was completed between Scotch Creek and Anglemont. This road was paved in the late 1960s.

When ferry service was curtailed, emphasis fell on improving the road between Scotch Creek and Squilax. A bridge was built in 1930 at Squilax. What did the settlers do? Besides clearing their land and leading a rustic lifestyle, they made money from logging, fruit farming, trapping, etc.

The first post office was a log cabin built in Celista in 1908. John Riley Sr. was the postmaster. The mail came by train to Notch Hill where it was sorted, then hauled down to the boat at Blind Bay, and taken to the north side of the lake. Hockins landing (near Thompson Hill) had a post office for eight years. Anglemont had a post office by 1914 and Magna Bay by 1920.

In 1910, a log schoolhouse was built in Celista. One-room schoolhouses also sprang up at Magna Bay in 1919, Anglemont in 1923, and Meadow Creek in 1925. When the hydroelectric power lines stretched to North Shuswap in 1957, everyone happily tossed out their hissing gas lamps and coal oil lanterns.

Even with all of the work inherent in a pioneering lifestyle, the local inhabitants still made time for fun. The schoolhouses doubled as community centers and, in them, Christmas concerts, dances, fall fairs and, on a more serious note, funerals were held. Magna Bay schoolhouse, being the largest, became the most popular location for dances.

Location

Celista is located on the northern shore of Shuswap Lake. Take the Squilax Bridge off Highway #1 between Chase and Sorrento, and then follow the Squilax-Anglemont Highway along the lake.

Places to See

• Martian's Landing Family Campground
  
  A mosquito-free family campground on the sunny side of Shuswap Lake, just 8 kilometres east of Provincial Park. There's creekside camping, sunny and shady campsites, a store, an arcade, a laundromat, camping cabins, and a nearby beach with a boat launch. 3 group campsites are available. Pets on leashes are welcome.
  
  
• Shuswap Lake Estates Golf and Country Club
  
  The recently expanded 18 hole professionally designed championship course offers well bunkered, undulating greens, generous fairways, and four beautiful lakes. This scenic course, Par 71, 6467 yards with three sets of tee boxes, provides a variety of challenges for both the accomplished and casual golfer. Practice facilities include a driving range, 2 practice greens, and practice sand bunkers.
  
  
• Shuswap Lake Provincial Park
  
  A very popular destination, the park operates at capacity from early July to Labour Day (early September).
  
  The park is situated on the old delta of Scotch Creek, has one kilometer of sandy, pebble beach, and includes the whole of Copper Island. The park also offers a large grassy play area, an adventure playground, a large boat launch. and a self-guiding nature trail.
  
  Boaters may wish to visit Copper Island, located two kilometres offshore. A 2.8 kilometre hiking trail provides beautiful views of the area. Please note that camping and campfires are prohibited on the island.
  
  Supplies, groceries, and many recreational opportunities including bumper boats, mini-golf driving range, go-carts, para-sailing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, boat and jet-ski rentals are offered by near-by businesses.

Things to Do

• Water Skiing
  
  Think of the most ideal lake to work your turns or have a blast with a Wakeboard/Air board or any other toy you can pull behind your powerboat. Water-sports bring an aspect of excitement to the waters of the Shuswap.
  
  
• Kayaking
  
  Go as a group or go alone. Single or tandem kayaks are available. For the more adventurous and experienced, tackle the Adams Lake rapids. Paddle out to Copper Island and hike the provincial park trails. Extreme Cliff diving is now available on Copper Island.
  
  
• Horseback Riding
  
  The best way to see British Columbia's most beautiful alpine and sub-alpine areas. Your horse will take you through winding trails full of majestic scenery.
  
  
• Hiking
  
  Slow it down a bit and enjoy the sights of the alpine and sub-alpine areas of the North Shuswap/Monashee range.
  
  
• Fishing
  
  The Shuswap contains some of the biggest freshwater lakes in North America. Fish for the world renowned 'Kamloops Fighting Trout' or maybe a Kokanee or two.
  
  
• Snowmobiling
  
  This area is fast becoming one of the major snowmobile destination points in BC. Challenging terrain and powder that is measured in feet - not inches - makes snowmobiling in the Shuswap an exhilarating experience.