Christina Lake

History

Prior to European settlement, Christina Lake was part of the region inhabited by the Sinixt First Nations group. Also known as the Arrow Lakes People, the Sinixt were an Interior Salish people whose territory stretched roughly from the Monashees to Kootenay Lake, from Revelstoke to north-east Washington. Christina Lake was an important fishing ground, as was the Kettle River around Cascade. Pictographs located at various points along the north-east lakeshore are evidence of these first inhabitants, and offer a tantalizing glimpse into a past that remains largely unspoken.

The lake was named after Christina McDonald, daughter of the fur trader Angus McDonald, who ran the Hudson's Bay Company station at Fort Colville from 1852 to 1871. Fort Colville was established in 1825, and until its closure in 1871, it was a central fixture of the area. In 1865, the extension of the Dewdney Trail from Rock Creek to Wild Horse Creek provided early pioneers with the first route into the Christina Lake region that didn't require travelling through American territory. However, settlement of the Boundary didn't really begin until the late 1880s and early 1890s.

By the early 1890s prospecting had spilled over from Rossland into the Christina Lake region. The Lake's original white residents were prospectors, trappers, or both. McRae Creek and Sutherland Creek are among the many local landmarks named for these pioneer prospectors. In 1896, around the time settlement began at Cascade, F.A. Heinze, owner of the Trail smelter, chartered the Columbia & Western Railway. In 1898 the CPR bought out the C&W and began construction in Castlegar. The C&W railway was completed as far as Grand Forks by September of 1899, and reached Midway the following year. The rail lines were crucial to the success of the mining, smelting and lumber industries that were propelling the region's economic growth. The arrival of the railroad brought more permanent settlement to the region, and by the turn of the century Christina Lake had multiple townsites, with a total of at least five hotels. Christina Lake first became a recreational area for day-trippers from Grand Forks and Phoenix, who were able to make use of the new railroad to visit the lake. Dominion Day was a favourite holiday, with special excursion trains running from Grand Forks to Christina Lake.

By the late 1890s Cascade City was a bustling community of approximately 1000 residents, with its own newspaper, The Cascade Record. The Cascade Water Power & Light Co. Ltd. was incorporated in 1898, and started building its dam across the Kettle River. The powerhouse at Cascade would provide electric power to Grand Forks, Phoenix and Greenwood, as well as to various local mines and smelters. However, this prosperity was to be short-lived; on September 30, 1899 Cascade was hit by the first in a series of devastating fires. The business district of the town was severely affected, and the second major fire, in the summer of 1901, caused further damage, leaving only one store and one hotel standing. A town which had boasted over a dozen hotels only a few years earlier was on its way to becoming a ghost town. Today, the magnificent gorge can be seen from the bridge on Highway 395 or by following trails that lead to closer vantage points.

Beginning in the first decades of the twentieth century, Christina Lake provided summer cottages, fishing, swimming and other entertainment to residents of Grand Forks and the Boundary region. The 1920s saw further growth of Christina Lake as a recreational community and tourism destination. The completion of the Cascade-Rossland highway in 1922 provided vacationers from Rossland and Trail with a direct route to the Boundary for the first time. In the 1920s, Prohibition in the United States encouraged an influx of visitors from north-east Washington, who were attracted by the Lake's saloons and dance halls. Even during the depression of the 1930s Christina Lake attracted a number of tourists, mostly vacationers from Rossland, Trail and the Grand Forks area. A summer resort hotel was built on English Point in 1928-9, and was run by George Brown and subsequent owners until 1942, when the hotel and its surrounding cabins were used to house Japanese families interred away from the coast for the duration of WWII. A few families remained in the area after the last of the restrictions were lifted in 1949, others settled elsewhere. The years following WWII saw Christina Lake become well established as a recreational community. In the early 1960s the highway connecting Castlegar to Christina Lake was completed, saving vacationers from the Kootenays and Alberta hours of travel time as they no longer had to follow the old Cascade-Rossland highway to reach the lake. In 1963 the Christina Lake Golf Club opened a 9-hole course at Cascade, and in 1986 the course was expanded to a full, immaculately landscaped 18-hole course that is now one of the lake's premier attractions.

Certainly, as you drive through on the highway today, Christina Lake appears quiet and secluded. The frantic energy of the prospecting era and the expansive optimism of the years surrounding the turn of the century may be hidden behind today's laid-back community, but the legacy of the lake's early residents lives on in the entrepreneurial spirit of the lake's booming tourism sector. And glimpses of the old days remain for those who care to look. Christina Lake remains one of British Columbia's best kept secrets. Come and explore the region for yourself - who knows what you may uncover!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barlee, N.L. Gold Creeks and Ghost Towns.

Boundary Historical Society (ed). Boundary Historical Reports, No. 1,4,6. Grand Forks. 1958, 1964, 1971.

Glanville, A. & J. Grand Forks: Where the Kettle River Flows. Kelowna: Blue Moose Publications, 1997.

Sandner, L. Christina Lake: An illustrated History. Merritt: Sonotek Publishing Ltd, 1994.

Location

Christina Lake is in south-eastern British Columbia (in Western Canada), about halfway between Vancouver, BC and Calgary, Alberta.

Travel times

From Vancouver, British Columbia:
6.5 hours

From Calgary, Alberta:
8.5 hours

From Spokane, Washington:
2 hours

From Seattle, Washington:
8 hours

Places to See

• Axel Johnson
  
  One of the many boat access recreational sites on Christina Lake. It is very popular with good swimming, camping, and fishing.
  
  
• Christina Lake Provincial Park
  
  A large, popular beach and picnic area located at the south end of Christina Lake. There are a myriad of water activities to do here, including public swimming lessons in the summer. This is the most accessible beach within the area, and there are drinking fountains and flush toilets.
  
  
• Treadmill Creak
  
  A large popular site on the western shore. It is boat access only and has a beach, swimming, camping, and fishing.
  
  
• Red Mountain Ski Resort
  
  Red Mountain Ski Resort is a forty-five minute drive from Christina Lake along a well-maintained highway corridor- no winding dirt roads to this ski area!
  
  Two mountains make up the ski terrain, which is accessed by three triple chairs, one double chair, and a t-bar. With over 1200 acres, and 2900 vertical feet, there is a lot to explore. The longest run is nearly five miles! It is an old-time ski area with an old-time flavour. Visitors in the winter not only include the town population of Rossland and Trail, but many people from around the world. All have fallen in love with this little-known skiers' paradise.
  
  Along with fantastic terrain and deep snow, the hill boasts short lift lines, long vertical descents, and a network of over 89 established runs (over 80% of which is rated expert). Skiers and boarders can expect to share most runs with few others and will find their legs burning at the end of the day.
  
  Red Mountain is famous for its tree and glade skiing. It was recently rated the number one resort in the world for the hardcore skier or snowboarder by Snow Country Magazine. Skiing Magazine listed Red Mountain in its top ten powder skiing resorts of North America.
  
  
• Phoenix Ski Hill
  
  Only about 45-minutes by car from Christina Lake, this ski hill is great for a day of family fun with the kids or for novice skiiers or boarders. There are 10 runs (not including the backside) and about 800-feet elevation gain.
  
  The hill is owned by a non-profit organization and is run mainly by volunteers. There is a t-bar to get you to the top of the mountain and a tow-rope for the bunny hill. A warm chalet and concession await you at the bottom.
  
  

Things to Do

• Fishing
  
  Whether you prefer fly fishing, trolling, casting, or ice fishing, Christina Lake is the place for you! Fishing is great from the time the ice comes off the lake until late autumn. March and April are the best months for the large Rainbow Trout. These range from 5-15 pounds and are best caught trolling a plug or a bucktail fly.
  
  Kokanee fishing is best in May and June. They grow up to 1 ½ pounds and bite on spinners, flies, and live bait. A well-kept secret is the great Bass fishing at Christina Lake, with both largemouth and smallmouth bass up to 10 pounds. Bass fishing runs from May until September.
  
  Watch for the annual Fishing Derby in late May - it's great fishing and fun for the whole family! Fishing Tackle and live bait are available at the Christina Lake Marina.
  
  
• Golf
  
  Christina Lake has two fun and exciting golf courses: Christina Lake Golf and Country Club and Cascade Par 3.
  
  The Christina Lake Golf and Country Club, an 18-hole championship course, is rated one of the best in the interior of British Columbia. The course has been open since 1986, and offers 6615 yards of exciting and challenging golf. It is situated along the picturesque Kettle River with beautiful scenery and quiet surroundings. There is also a driving range, and excellent dining facilities in the new clubhouse.
  
  Just down the road is the Cascade Par 3 Golf Course. This 9-hole course is the only one of its kind in the Kootenay-Boundary area. The course is fun and challenging with water hazards, sand traps, a putting green, a driving range, and excellent dining at the Dueling Oaks restaurant. Its beautiful and quiet setting makes a wonderful outing for the whole family.
  
  Both courses are located only a couple of minutes from Christina Lake, just north of the Canada - U.S. border. When driving from Christina Lake, turn left at the junction of Highway 3 and Highway 395 (to the U.S.) and follow the signs.
  
  For youngsters and the young-at-heart, Christina Lake also offers two mini-golf courses. One is located next to the Lakeside General Store, and the other is at Christina Pines Campground.
  
  
• Hiking and Biking
  
  If hiking and biking are your idea of a good time, then let the good times roll at Christina Lake. Here you will find a great network of trails for every level of rider or hiker. The extensive system has been built up over the past ten years, with over $250,000 dollars going into upgrading and creating new trails.
  
  Christina Lake is home to one of the finest sections of the Trans-Canada Trail, the Kettle Valley Railbed. Much of the surface has been renewed between Christina lake and Grand Forks, making this riverside ride easy and thoroughly enjoyable for families and friends. Of course the Cascade Gorge section is unrivaled anywhere on the KVR and must be seen to appreciate the majesty of the Falls.
  
  There is a fine selection of singletrack trails ranging from the classic Deerpoint Trail in Gladstone Park to the Spooner Creek and Dewdney Trails- all excellent for intermediate riders. There are also new trails that have built-up sections, steep drops, and challenging balance sections for expert free-riders. You won't find these on the map, so ask at WildWays for directions and shuttles.
  
  Hiking can be scenic and leisurely in the new community park right by the lake, or rugged and challenging while ascending nearby Old Glory or Gladstone Mountain. There are easily accessed trails throughout the district, most which offer excellent day hikes and extended trips.
  
  
• Horseback Riding
  
  Saddle up and hit the trails at Christina Lake. Either bring your own equine companion to explore the diverse terrain or opt for a guided tour with the Owl Mountian Ranch. The experienced folks at the ranch offer 1 - 4 hour rides geared to your skill level. You can also choose from their day-long rides, overnight pack trips, or wilderness adventure trips.
  
  
• Water Skiing
  
  There are none better than Christina Lake, with its clean, clear water. The north end of the lake offers boat access beaches, just perfect for a day's boating, water skiing, or wakeboarding. Boat and equipment rentals are available at the Christina Lake Marina.
  
  There are two boat launches: one at the Texas Point area of the lake, and one at the marina. The warm water of Christina Lake enables boaters to enjoy water sports from spring into mid-autumn.
  
  
• Bird Watching
  
  Bird watching at Christina Lake varies considerably over the year, with spring and summer being the most rewarding seasons. The best place is in the nature park at the southeast end of the lake. The many trails throughout the park allow you to quietly approach the birds in the woods and along the shore. Another area that will produce a variety of birds is on the trail along the east side of Christina Creek, which is accessible from Highway #3. During the spring and summer, you can expect to see as many as 73 species, with another 24 during the spring and fall migrations. There are also 29 additional species of casual non-breeding birds which can be sighted at any time.

Contact Information

Christina Lake Chamber of Commerce

Hwy 3 & Kimura Rd.
Christina Lake, BC
V0H 1E2

Telephone/Fax: (250) 447-6161
E-mail: info@christinalake.com
Website: www.christinalake.com