Castlegar, British Columbia
Encyclopedia
Castlegar is the second largest city in the West Kootenay
region of British Columbia
, Canada
. It is located within the Selkirk Mountains
at the confluence of the Kootenay
and Columbia River
s. It is a regional trade and transportation centre, with a local economy fueled by forestry, mining and tourism. It is home to Selkirk College
, a regional airport, a pulp mill, and several small sawmills. The population of 7,259 people includes a large number of Doukhobors, who were largely responsible for much of Castlegar's early development and growth. A sizeable Portuguese community grew as workers, mainly from the Azores
islands, moved in to take up employment in the area. The area which was to become Castlegar was an important centre for the Sinixt
(Lakes) Peoples. Outside the city limits are the small surrounding communities of Ootischenia, Brilliant, Robson
, Robson West, Raspberry
, Tarrys, Thrums, Glade, Shoreacres, Fairview, Genelle, Pass Creek and Krestova. There are also the much smaller communities of Deer Park, Renata, and Syringa on Lower Arrow Lake. Taken together, these outlying areas comprise an approximate population of a further 8,000 people.
arrived at the location where Castlegar now sits, where he camped near the mouth of the Kootenay River. A plaque dedicated to David Thompson can be found on the east bank of the Columbia River overlooking the present day site of Castlegar.
The first settlement in the area was West Waterloo, now known as South Castlegar. There was widespread provincial interest in gold prospecting in the late 19th century, and by 1895 there were forty houses in Waterloo. The town boomed until the end of the century when interest in the local mines declined.
Castlegar takes its name from Castlegar, County Galway
in Ireland
, the ancestral home of townsite founder Edward Mahon. (Castlegar is on the eastern boundary of the city of Galway
.) The city was planned in 1897. Around 1902, the Canadian Pacific Railway
(CPR) built the bridge at Castlegar and laid the wide gauge railway tracks to Trail
. They put in a box car station at the old Waterloo trail crossing and called it Kinnaird Station in honour of Lord Kinnaird
who was a shareholder in the CPR.
There was little in Castlegar until after the completion of the CPR bridge. A Mr. Farmer built the first store in town, housing both the post office and the town hall. William Gage built the Castlegar Hotel in 1908, standing until 1982 when it was destroyed by fire. Also in 1908, the first schoolhouse was built by a few local residents who bought the lumber and erected the building. A dance pavilion, garage, tourist cabins and a slaughterhouse
had all been established by 1925.
On October 30, 1946, Castlegar was incorporated into a village, then in 1966 into a town. It amalgamated with the neighbouring town of Kinnaird
into a city on January 1, 1974, effectively doubling the population. On May 20, 2004, the City's boundary was extended to include the Blueberry Creek Irrigation District.
(Interior Salish
) and the Ktunaxa Indian bands. Experts cannot agree where the Ktunaxa range ended, and where the Sinixt began. There was much overlapping of cultural and territorial activity between the two peoples. Most recent information suggests that the Sinixt were the original people in the area, and that the Kootenai arrived several hundred years ago from central Canada
.
"Qepitles" was a site on the north side of the Kootenay River, just above the junction with the Columbia River. The site was popular as a trading place and, especially in the autumn and winter, for spear and line fishing for salmon, which were dried nearby. Native implements (arrowheads, pestles, etc.) have been found along the nearby Arrow Lakes
. A reconstructed kekuli
dwelling was formally located on Zuckerberg Island, at the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia rivers.
in 1910 and the Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood
(CCUB) made an application to the CPR for a railway station and siding to this point. Brilliant was the centre of the CCUB commercial enterprises. Located on the site was the Brilliant Jam Factory, a grain elevator, and a flax seed mill.
is owned and operated by the City of Castlegar. The Airport has regular service to both Vancouver International Airport
and Calgary International Airport
.
, all part of School District 20 Kootenay-Columbia
.
Selkirk College
is also located in Castlegar.
of the KIJHL.
Other activities include The Castlegar Skating Club, Dancing at Turning Pointe Dance Studio and Scottie School of Highland Dance, Castlegar Aquanauts, "Castlegar Minor Soccer Association", Castlegar Gymnastics Club, Castlegar Minor Hockey, Baseball, Lacrosse, Golf, Curling, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball programs, Kootenai Jiu Jitsu Academy, and Many yoga/fitness etc. programs are offered at the Castlegar Complex.
West Kootenay Minor Football Association, Castlegar Sentinels Football Club.
, and Blueberry Creek, among others. Outskirts of Castlegar include Robson
, Robson West, Brilliant, Raspberry, Pass Creek, Ootischenia, Tarrys, Thrums, and Genelle.
(YCG), the main local airport in the region with flights to both Vancouver and Calgary. It is also the junction of highways 3B, 3, and 22. Highway 22 runs the length of the city, known as Columbia Avenue. At the North End, Columbia enters the Robson bridge, carrying traffic to the rural suburb of Robson, which is accessed via Broadwater Road. A small highway interchange exists where the Robson Access Road meets Highway 3B towards Nelson, British Columbia
. Highway 3 bisects the town, providing the main access to the Grovesnor area, and crossing the Columbia River at the Kinnaird Bridge, to Ootischenia. Highway 3B and Highway 3 both provide routes through Ootischenia. Highway 22 also connects to Blueberry. To the North, Highway 3B heads to Nelson. To the South, Highway 22 leads to Trail, British Columbia
; to the East, Highway 3 Leads to Salmo, British Columbia
, and to the West to Grand Forks, British Columbia
.
, Japan
Yueyang
, People's Republic of China
Stephenville, Newfoundland
West Kootenay
West Kootenay was a provincial electoral district in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It was formed along with East Kootenay from a redistribution of the old Kootenay riding, which was one of the province's original twelve.- Demographics :...
region of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is located within the Selkirk Mountains
Selkirk Mountains
The Selkirk Mountains are a mountain range spanning the northern portion of the Idaho Panhandle, eastern Washington, and southeastern British Columbia. They begin at Mica Peak near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and extend approximately 320 km north from the border. The range is bounded on its west,...
at the confluence of the Kootenay
Kootenay River
The Kootenay is a major river in southeastern British Columbia, Canada and the northern part of the U.S. states of Montana and Idaho. It is one of the uppermost major tributaries of the Columbia River, which is the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
and Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
s. It is a regional trade and transportation centre, with a local economy fueled by forestry, mining and tourism. It is home to Selkirk College
Selkirk College
Selkirk College, founded in 1966, was the first regional community college in British Columbia. The college offers over 60 programs. Selkirk has grown into one of the largest organizations in the West Kootenay and Boundary regions of south eastern British Columbia...
, a regional airport, a pulp mill, and several small sawmills. The population of 7,259 people includes a large number of Doukhobors, who were largely responsible for much of Castlegar's early development and growth. A sizeable Portuguese community grew as workers, mainly from the Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
islands, moved in to take up employment in the area. The area which was to become Castlegar was an important centre for the Sinixt
Sinixt
The Sinixt are a First Nations People...
(Lakes) Peoples. Outside the city limits are the small surrounding communities of Ootischenia, Brilliant, Robson
Robson, British Columbia
Robson is an unincorporated settlement in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada. It is immediately north across the Columbia River from the city of Castlegar, on the west bank of the mouth of Pass Creek. Across Pass Creek on the same side of the Columbia is Raspberry, which was...
, Robson West, Raspberry
Robson/Raspberry, British Columbia
Robson/Raspberry is a designated place located north of Castlegar across the Columbia River formed of two historical communities, Robson, dating from the era of the Big Bend Gold Rush, and Raspberry, a one-time Doukhobor colony...
, Tarrys, Thrums, Glade, Shoreacres, Fairview, Genelle, Pass Creek and Krestova. There are also the much smaller communities of Deer Park, Renata, and Syringa on Lower Arrow Lake. Taken together, these outlying areas comprise an approximate population of a further 8,000 people.
History
On September 5, 1811, David ThompsonDavid Thompson (explorer)
David Thompson was an English-Canadian fur trader, surveyor, and map-maker, known to some native peoples as "Koo-Koo-Sint" or "the Stargazer"...
arrived at the location where Castlegar now sits, where he camped near the mouth of the Kootenay River. A plaque dedicated to David Thompson can be found on the east bank of the Columbia River overlooking the present day site of Castlegar.
The first settlement in the area was West Waterloo, now known as South Castlegar. There was widespread provincial interest in gold prospecting in the late 19th century, and by 1895 there were forty houses in Waterloo. The town boomed until the end of the century when interest in the local mines declined.
Castlegar takes its name from Castlegar, County Galway
Castlegar, County Galway
Castlegar is a village and parish in County Galway, Ireland, located just outside of the city of Galway. It extends from Lough Corrib across to Merlin Park by the old Galway-Dublin road....
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, the ancestral home of townsite founder Edward Mahon. (Castlegar is on the eastern boundary of the city of Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
.) The city was planned in 1897. Around 1902, the Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001...
(CPR) built the bridge at Castlegar and laid the wide gauge railway tracks to Trail
Trail, British Columbia
Trail is a city in the West Kootenay region of the Interior of British Columbia, Canada.-Geography:Trail has an area of . The city is located on both banks of the Columbia River, approximately 10 km north of the United States border. This section of the Columbia River valley is located between the...
. They put in a box car station at the old Waterloo trail crossing and called it Kinnaird Station in honour of Lord Kinnaird
Arthur Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird
Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird, 11th Lord Kinnaird KT was a principal of The Football Association and a leading footballer....
who was a shareholder in the CPR.
There was little in Castlegar until after the completion of the CPR bridge. A Mr. Farmer built the first store in town, housing both the post office and the town hall. William Gage built the Castlegar Hotel in 1908, standing until 1982 when it was destroyed by fire. Also in 1908, the first schoolhouse was built by a few local residents who bought the lumber and erected the building. A dance pavilion, garage, tourist cabins and a slaughterhouse
Slaughterhouse
A slaughterhouse or abattoir is a facility where animals are killed for consumption as food products.Approximately 45-50% of the animal can be turned into edible products...
had all been established by 1925.
On October 30, 1946, Castlegar was incorporated into a village, then in 1966 into a town. It amalgamated with the neighbouring town of Kinnaird
Kinnaird, British Columbia
Kinnaird is a neighbourhood in Castlegar, British Columbia. It consists of the southern half of the city. It was incorporated as a village on August 6, 1948. It later amalgamated with the Town of Castlegar January 1, 1974 to form the City of Castlegar. It is the location of Kinnaird Elementary...
into a city on January 1, 1974, effectively doubling the population. On May 20, 2004, the City's boundary was extended to include the Blueberry Creek Irrigation District.
Native history
Castlegar is located in the border area between the SinixtSinixt
The Sinixt are a First Nations People...
(Interior Salish
Interior Salish
The Interior Salish languages are one of the two main subgroups of the Salishan language family, the other being Coast Salish. It can be further subdivided into Northern and Southern Interior Salish...
) and the Ktunaxa Indian bands. Experts cannot agree where the Ktunaxa range ended, and where the Sinixt began. There was much overlapping of cultural and territorial activity between the two peoples. Most recent information suggests that the Sinixt were the original people in the area, and that the Kootenai arrived several hundred years ago from central Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
"Qepitles" was a site on the north side of the Kootenay River, just above the junction with the Columbia River. The site was popular as a trading place and, especially in the autumn and winter, for spear and line fishing for salmon, which were dried nearby. Native implements (arrowheads, pestles, etc.) have been found along the nearby Arrow Lakes
Arrow Lakes
The Arrow Lakes in British Columbia, Canada, divided into Upper Arrow Lake and Lower Arrow Lake, are widenings of the Columbia River. The lakes are situated between the Selkirk Mountains to the east and the Monashee Mountains to the west. Beachland is fairly rare, and is interspersed with rocky...
. A reconstructed kekuli
Quiggly hole
A quiggly hole, also known simply as a quiggly or kekuli, is the remains of an underground house built by the First Nations people of the Interior of British Columbia and the Columbia Plateau in the U.S....
dwelling was formally located on Zuckerberg Island, at the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia rivers.
Doukhobor history
The Doukhobors put a ferry into operation near Brilliant on the Kootenay RiverKootenay River
The Kootenay is a major river in southeastern British Columbia, Canada and the northern part of the U.S. states of Montana and Idaho. It is one of the uppermost major tributaries of the Columbia River, which is the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
in 1910 and the Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood
Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood
Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood was the main spiritual and economic organization of Canadian Doukhobors from the early 20th century until its bankruptcy in 1938...
(CCUB) made an application to the CPR for a railway station and siding to this point. Brilliant was the centre of the CCUB commercial enterprises. Located on the site was the Brilliant Jam Factory, a grain elevator, and a flax seed mill.
Demographics
- Population (2006): 7,259
- Population (2001): 7,585
- Growth Rate: -4.3%
- Total Private Dwellings: 3,225
- Population Density: 366.6 per km²
- Area: 19.8 km²
- Median Age: 44.4
- Mother Tongue:
- English: 5,990
- French: 55
- Other: 1,015
- Number of Immigrants: 725
Climate
Airport
The West Kootenay Regional AirportWest Kootenay Regional Airport
The West Kootenay Regional Airport, is a small regional airport located south southeast of Castlegar, British Columbia. Owned and operated by the City of Castlegar, YCG has a passenger terminal. Due to the mountainous terrain impinging on both runway approaches, there is no possibility of a...
is owned and operated by the City of Castlegar. The Airport has regular service to both Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, about from Downtown Vancouver. In 2010 it was the second busiest airport in Canada by aircraft movements and passengers , behind Toronto Pearson International Airport, with non-stop flights daily to...
and Calgary International Airport
Calgary International Airport
Calgary International Airport, , is the international airport that serves Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the surrounding region; it is situated approximately northeast of downtown Calgary...
.
Schools
Castlegar has four elementary schools (Twin Rivers Elementary School, Castlegar Primary School, Kinnaird Elementary School, and Robson Community School) and a high school, Stanley Humphries Secondary SchoolStanley Humphries Secondary School
Stanley Humphries Secondary is a public high school in Castlegar, British Columbia part of School District 20 Kootenay-Columbia.Stanley Humphries is the main Secondary School for the Castlegar area...
, all part of School District 20 Kootenay-Columbia
School District 20 Kootenay-Columbia
School District 20 Kootenay-Columbia is a school district in southeastern British Columbia. It includes Trail, Castlegar and Rossland.-History:...
.
Selkirk College
Selkirk College
Selkirk College, founded in 1966, was the first regional community college in British Columbia. The college offers over 60 programs. Selkirk has grown into one of the largest organizations in the West Kootenay and Boundary regions of south eastern British Columbia...
is also located in Castlegar.
Recreation
Many great walking trails are located in and near Castlegar. They are maintained by the Friends of Parks and Trails.Sports
The city's Junior "B" hockey team is the Castlegar RebelsCastlegar Rebels
The Castlegar Rebels are a junior ice hockey team based in Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Neil Murdoch Division of the Kootenay Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League...
of the KIJHL.
Other activities include The Castlegar Skating Club, Dancing at Turning Pointe Dance Studio and Scottie School of Highland Dance, Castlegar Aquanauts, "Castlegar Minor Soccer Association", Castlegar Gymnastics Club, Castlegar Minor Hockey, Baseball, Lacrosse, Golf, Curling, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball programs, Kootenai Jiu Jitsu Academy, and Many yoga/fitness etc. programs are offered at the Castlegar Complex.
West Kootenay Minor Football Association, Castlegar Sentinels Football Club.
| Club | League | Sport | Venue | Established | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castlegar Rebels Castlegar Rebels The Castlegar Rebels are a junior ice hockey team based in Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Neil Murdoch Division of the Kootenay Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League... |
KIJHL Kootenay International Junior Hockey League The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League is a Junior "B" Ice Hockey league in British Columbia, Canada, sanctioned by Hockey Canada. The winner of the KIJHL playoffs competes with the champions of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League and the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League... |
Ice Hockey Ice hockey Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take... |
Castlegar Community Complex | 1976 | 3 |
Geography
The main street, Columbia Avenue, runs the length of the City of Castlegar. It becomes Highway 22 on the South end, and the Robson Bridge at the North end. Most businesses in Castlegar are located on or just off of Columbia. There are several neighbourhoods in Castlegar, including downtown, Southridge, Oglow Subdivision, Woodland Park, Grosvenor, KinnairdKinnaird, British Columbia
Kinnaird is a neighbourhood in Castlegar, British Columbia. It consists of the southern half of the city. It was incorporated as a village on August 6, 1948. It later amalgamated with the Town of Castlegar January 1, 1974 to form the City of Castlegar. It is the location of Kinnaird Elementary...
, and Blueberry Creek, among others. Outskirts of Castlegar include Robson
Robson, British Columbia
Robson is an unincorporated settlement in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada. It is immediately north across the Columbia River from the city of Castlegar, on the west bank of the mouth of Pass Creek. Across Pass Creek on the same side of the Columbia is Raspberry, which was...
, Robson West, Brilliant, Raspberry, Pass Creek, Ootischenia, Tarrys, Thrums, and Genelle.
Transportation
The City of Castlegar is considered to be a transportation hub for the region. It is the location of the West Kootenay Regional AirportWest Kootenay Regional Airport
The West Kootenay Regional Airport, is a small regional airport located south southeast of Castlegar, British Columbia. Owned and operated by the City of Castlegar, YCG has a passenger terminal. Due to the mountainous terrain impinging on both runway approaches, there is no possibility of a...
(YCG), the main local airport in the region with flights to both Vancouver and Calgary. It is also the junction of highways 3B, 3, and 22. Highway 22 runs the length of the city, known as Columbia Avenue. At the North End, Columbia enters the Robson bridge, carrying traffic to the rural suburb of Robson, which is accessed via Broadwater Road. A small highway interchange exists where the Robson Access Road meets Highway 3B towards Nelson, British Columbia
Nelson, British Columbia
Nelson is a city located in the Selkirk Mountains on the extreme West Arm of Kootenay Lake in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. Known as "The Queen City", and acknowledged for its impressive collection of restored heritage buildings from its glory days in a regional silver rush,...
. Highway 3 bisects the town, providing the main access to the Grovesnor area, and crossing the Columbia River at the Kinnaird Bridge, to Ootischenia. Highway 3B and Highway 3 both provide routes through Ootischenia. Highway 22 also connects to Blueberry. To the North, Highway 3B heads to Nelson. To the South, Highway 22 leads to Trail, British Columbia
Trail, British Columbia
Trail is a city in the West Kootenay region of the Interior of British Columbia, Canada.-Geography:Trail has an area of . The city is located on both banks of the Columbia River, approximately 10 km north of the United States border. This section of the Columbia River valley is located between the...
; to the East, Highway 3 Leads to Salmo, British Columbia
Salmo, British Columbia
Salmo is a village in the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada. It is located in the Salmo River Valley, surrounded by the Selkirk Mountain range....
, and to the West to Grand Forks, British Columbia
Grand Forks, British Columbia
-Schools:Schools in the region are operated by School District 51 Boundary which has its main office in Grand Forks but also serves Midway, Greenwood, Beaverdell, and Rock Creek....
.
Notable residents
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Sister cities
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