Terrace

History

The junction of the Skeena and the Kitsumkalum Rivers was originally the site of a Tsimshian Indian Village. Fur trading and gold prospecting were the principal activities along the Pacific Shore, including the Skeena area from 1770 to 1900. In the early 1890's, a steamboat route was established up the Skeena as far as Hazelton, and Tom Thornhill settled permanently near what is now known as "Little Canyon" on the south side of the Skeena.

In 1905, George Little staked his pre-emption across the Skeena River, and purchased land in what is now known as Terrace. Being a far-sighted person, he gave land to the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, resulting in the creation of a railway station in Terrace, rather than at Kitsumkalum.

Up to World War II, the town existed as a sawmill community, having incorporated in 1927. The population of Terrace in 1951 was 350 people. In the early 1950's, Terrace began to serve as a distribution centre for the new town of Kitimat and became an important wood processing centre with the establishment of the Canadian Cellulose Company.

Terrace was once known as the cedar pole capital of the world. Over 50,000 poles were manufactured annually to supply many parts of this continent with telephone and electric power poles. The world's tallest pole (50 metres) was cut in Terrace and is currently standing in New York City.

The world record spring salmon was caught at the junction of the Kalum and Skeena Rivers with rod and reel, weighing in at 41.7 kilograms (92.5 lbs.)

Location

Terrace, the regional business centre for the area, is located approximately 550 air miles northwest of Vancouver. The City is located on a series of natural flat benches, or terraces (hence the name) within the broad Skeena River Valley. The relatively close proximity to the ocean (approximately 60 kilometres - 37 miles), the low altitude (60 metres - 196 feet above sea level), and its location within the shelter of the Coast Mountains has created a natural greenhouse effect. Rainfall is less than half of that found on the coast and temperatures are moderate - warm enough to permit the growing of fruit orchards and specialty crops, including peaches, for those with a green thumb and some TLC.

Terrace is located at the junction of three major roadways:

• Trans Canada Highway 16 - (Yellowhead Highway) with east/west connection to Edmonton and Prince Rupert;
  
• Highway 37 - to Kitimat (south), which also connects north to the Stewart-Cassiar Highway to the Yukon and Alaska;
  
• Nisga'a Highway - all weather logging road and public secondary highway to the Nass Valley.
  

Places to See

• Lakelse Lake Provincial Park
  
  Lakelse Lake Provincial Park is a favorite summertime hangout for locals and visitors alike. Located just a 20 minute drive south of Terrace on Hwy 3 7, the water is irresistible on a hot summer’s day. Going to Furlong Bay, the Lakelse Lake picnic site, or Gruchy’s Beach? Be sure to pack a lunch, because once you settle in there, you won’t want to leave.
  
  
• Heritage Park Museum
  
  Heritage Park Museum is nestled in the heart of Terrace and boasts some of the most impressive original historic log structures in B.C. On almost two acres of beautiful parkland, with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains, this civic museum is a must-see for any traveler staying or passing through Terrace. Exhibiting the “Pioneer” past of the Terrace region, the visitor will learn about forestry, farming, mining and traditional trapping while touring through exhibits housed in the eight historical log buildings dating as far back as 1910.
  
  The museum tells of the settlement of the Terrace region by ambitious and brave people looking for new and exciting opportunities. Early pioneers made coffee over the wood stoves housed in this museum, used the cross cut saws to clear their land and the ploughs to plant their first crops. The main museum building, the Kalum Lake Hotel, was originally set along the shores of Kalum Lake during the 1930’s and hosted people from all over North America wanting to experience what Northern BC had to offer.
  
  
• Kleanza Creek Provincial Park
  
  Kleanza Creek Provincial Park is located amongst the forests and rock canyons in the Coast Mountains. Occupying frontage on the Skeena River and on both sides of Kleanza Creek, the park is of historical significance. Kleanza means gold in the Gitxsan language and it was this metal that influenced the early history of the park site. Placer mining for gold was first carried out in the creek in the late 1890’s.
  
  
• The George Little House
  
  The society mandate is to maintain the building as a community cultural facility, to house the Via Rail station and to use the house for the betterment/promotion of tourism, heritage, and the arts within the City . It will be the tourism anchor for walk-in traffic, train passengers and hotel guests for the downtown area.
  
  Having said that, the House is the original home built for George Little (the founder of Terrace) and his family in 1914. The design was done by his wife, Clara Beste Little, and the details show a woman’s touch. It has a unique history, for besides being a family home, it became a boarding house and a transition house, and then was handed to the city when it could no longer be maintained privately.
  
  

Things to Do

• Fishing!
  
  Welcome to one of the world’s greatest fishing paradises! Freshwater angling adventures are only minutes away from Terrace, offering unparalleled opportunities for salmon, steelhead and trout. Saltwater fishing for halibut, ocean salmon, crabs, etc., are only a short drive away – to either Kitimat and the Douglas Channel or Prince Rupert and the Pacific Ocean.
  
  The world record for catching (and releasing) a 99-pound Chinook Salmon is held by a visiting German tourist who had her first fishing experience in the Skeena River in 2001. Previously, the world-record was a 92 pound Chinook salmon.
  
  There are many fishing guides and charter operators available to suit your fishing adventure fantasy. Information on seasonal spawning runs and catch restrictions is vital, so make sure you know them. During the main months of the fishing season, the guides are usually booked, so plan early and call ahead to make sure your trip is all that you want it to be.
  
  Although some lakes are home to only one species of fish, others may contain a dozen or more, such as rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout, Dolly Varden, mountain whitefish, lake whitefish and burbot. The fall months herald the arrival of sea-run steelhead, sockeye, Chinook and coho salmon on their spawning runs.
  
  
• Hiking!
  
  From the steep, rocky Terrace Mountain Trail located in the heart of the city, to the paved Grand Trunk Pathway there are numerous trails in Terrace for any ability and interest. The challenging Terrace Mountain Trail is a stunning hiking trail located in the heart of Terrace. It offers a steady hike to the top of the mountain, which opens up to offer an incredible view of the city below.
  
  
• Hang Gliding!
  
  Explore Terrace and the surrounding area while gliding across the sky!
  
  Feel the air rippling by as you pass over the beautiful landscape of the north, hundreds of feet above. View the sights, the scenery, the people, and everything else as few before have done. The mountains in the direct area contain many locations from which to launch, giving the sightseer a series of unique opportunities to view the area.
  
  
• Rock Climbing!
  
  Northwest BC hides a wealth of excellent undeveloped and often completely unclimbed rock. Simply driving along the highway to Prince Rupert, there are at least half a dozen 200 meter cliffs, plus countless smaller bluffs, most of at least some potential for climbing.
  
  
• Skiing!
  
  More and more people are attracted to Terrace as a base for some of the best skiing the province has to offer. Winter in the Skeena Valley means snow and lots of it. The Onion Lakes Ski trails are a network of cross-country ski trials located roughly half way between Terrace and Kitimat. The recreational area boasts five kilometres of lit trails allowing for both day and night skiing. The Snow Valley Nordic Ski Club is a group of dedicated volunteers who maintain the Onion Lake cross-country ski trails. Whether you are a skate skier or if you prefer the classic style, fantastic cross-country skiing is less than a half hour drive from Terrace. The club also offers youth programs and masters skiing.
  
  
• View the Aurora Borealis!
  
  Terrace is one of the cities far enough north to view this magnificent display of nature's light. Whether one has seen this once, or a hundred times, this is a phenomenon that is always viewed with a sense of awe. The ebony night is illuminated with splashes of colour to create one of the most beautiful displays to be found in nature.

Events

• Riverboat Days
  
  The BC Day long weekend kicks off the biggest party of the year and is enjoyed by everyone. There are so many concerts, races, games, tournaments and contests that it lasts a whole seven days. It is the time of year when we celebrate our city, our people, our culture, and our history.
  
  Locals and visitors line downtown streets to kick off the week withthe always-popular Riverboat Days parade. Sports teams, community service groups, local businesses and clubs create fantastic floats that weave their way from City Hall down the main street, Lakelse Avenue. The festivities include activities for every age and interest. Treasure hunts on Ferry Island are always fun for the little ones, along with watching the rubber ducky race, and don’t forget to go to the spectacular fireworks display. Riverboats Days sees dozens of sporting events, tournaments, races and celebrations take place in andaround Terrace. High-speed action hits the Terrace Speedway as the annual stock car races kick into high gear and you won’t want to miss thosefancy cars at the drag races held at the Northwest Regional Airport. Another summer favourite is the amazing transformation of a downtown parking lot to a beach volleyball paradise, thanks to half a million pounds of sand coating the area. Teams of two and four battle it out for top honours. Skateboarders wow onlookers during the annual skateboarding competition at the skate park near the arena. Softball and basketball tournaments, bike races and obstacle courses are among the perennial favourites.
  
  The long weekend has also become a special time for kayakers from around the region, as a three-day Paddle Party gets underway on a river. For the less competitive, there are all sorts of just-for-fun activities and games including the annual slingers’ race that sees area hospitality workers facing off in a series of obstacle races. Many venues feature live music throughout the week and you don’t want to miss out on the concerts in the park – an exciting outdoor music festival featuring local artists and special guests that get the whole downtown rocking. Riverboat Days are certainly something to celebrate.
  
  

Notable Comments

• In my delirium, I wandered in and out of consciousness, until as last, I was awakened by the gentle nudging of a white kermode bear. She asked me to follow her; and thus, having never been confronted by the strange spectacle of a talking bear, I decided to oblige her request. For hours we walked aimlessly, both in and out of Terrace, before finally arriving at Lakelse Lake. There, she stopped and beckoned for me to enter the cold water. I shrugged. I'd gone this far already. There seemed no point in hesitating now. Not bothering to remove any of my clothes, I walked silently into the lake until I was completely submerged. I waited. After fifteen minutes, I spotted another kermode bear swimming towards me. I knew he was different from the one I'd followed previously: he was missing a paw. He swam right up to my face and whispered into my ear, "If you guild it, they will plum." Well, that's what I think he said- the water made his words a little garbled. Finally realizing I hadn't swallowed any air in quite a long time, I blacked out. When I awoke, I had washed ashore, and was now being buried in the sand by two schoolchildren.
  
  - George Sorrento, in his Canadian ramble, "Fear and Loathing in Terrace"
  
  
• "I like Terr-ace!
  
  - Delores Clayburn, an enthusastic six-year old from Kamloops

Contact Information

Terrace Visitor Information Centre

4511 Keith Ave
Terrace, BC V8G 1K1
Phone: 1-250-635-2063
E-mail: terracechamber@telus.com
Webpage: http://www.terracetourism.bc.ca