Discover the Powerful Heritage and History of Boundary Country

The Boundary Country is a region rich in history. Miners from the United States of America rushed north of the border during the Rock Creek Gold Rush, which surged from 1859 through the end of the century.

This northward push for precious minerals spurred the settling of several towns leading up to 1900. Some, such as Boundary Falls and Eholt, were fated to ghost towns. Boundary Falls vanished when the local smelter shuttered in 1907; the Eholt site near Phoenix Mountain Ski Area dwindled for decades until its last resident departed in 1960. Others—including Rock Creek itself, charming brotherly rivals Midway and Greenwood, and bustling Grand Forks—survived to define the vibrance of Boundary Country today.

We can relive the powerful heritage through the region’s popular visitor hubs and museum houses, which immerse Explorers in Boundary Country’s incredible past.

“Heritage of the Boundary” is part of Explorer’s Guide to Boundary Country, an ever-expanding resource published by the Midway Advance online and in print. Explorer’s Guide equips you with a complete toolkit to maximize fun, discovery, and safety across all activities throughout the region.

Rock Creek

Access the Riverside Centre & Visitor Information Centre located at 3990 Highway 3. Amenities include local artwork, internet and printing services, electric vehicle charging, and an automated teller machine.

“Our goal is to improve access to information and services for both locals and tourists,” states the operation, which was acquired by the  Regional District of Kootenay Boundary in 2022 and is run by Trails to the Boundary.

Midway

In the village of Midway is Kettle River Museum, which sits on 2.5 acres and includes an original Station House, artifacts yard, caboose, and section house. Admission is $5 for adults and free for those 16 or under.

“Many visitors from British Columbia, Canada, the United States and countries all over the globe have enjoyed their visit to the museum,” the organization states online. “We have ample parking and easy access.”

Greenwood

At 214 South Copper Avenue is the Greenwood Museum & Visitor Center, boasts a collection of historical artifacts and regularly changing exhibits.

“Visitors will enjoy the many fascinating photographs, collectibles, and ephemera from Greenwood’s mining boom era, and from the Japanese internment period,” the museum states. “Exhibits of old mining equipment and images of the B.C. Copper Company’s ore smelter operation are brought to life alongside displays of a vibrant boom town with its many hotels, eateries and business enterprises.”

The Green Museum operates a Visitor Centre, offering publications, maps, and informational brochures on local attractions. There is a gift shop as well as public washrooms and internet available.

Grand Forks

The Boundary Museum Society, established in 1958, operates the Boundary Museum & Archives located at the Fructova Heritage Site in Grand Forks. Fructova was built by the Doukhobors in 1929 as a school for local children. 

“We currently operate a number of exhibits and sites throughout the Boundary region, including … the Heritage Flour Mill, an outdoor exhibit in Gyro Park in downtown Grand Forks, and a visual photo collection along with showcased artifacts at the Christina Lake Welcome Centre,” the Society states online.

Closer to the Phoenix ski area and Eholt ghost town lies the Son Ranch Timber Co., which provides a logging museum and cabin rental. Son Ranch is a small-scale, family-run forestry operation focused on selection logging, custom milling, kiln drying, shaping, moulding, and timber framing.

Learn how each tree is selected, graded, milled, dried, shaped, moulded and joined into flooring, wainscoating, siding, trim and traditional timber frames. Or take a tour through wildflower gardens and old barns where you can view the Son Ranch Chainsaw Museum, which chronicles the history of forestry in the Boundary.

Christina Lake

The Christina Lake Welcome Centre was founded in 2010 in the heart of the community. The lakeside facility “serves as an interpretive centre and as a tourist attraction that showcases the region’s vibrant arts and cultural life,” where a gallery displays arts and crafts created by artists and artisans from throughout the Boundary region. A retail shop offers locally produced items and tourist-related products for sale.

According to the Centre, the next phase of “will include a Studio Centre for artisans and an outside amphitheatre for summer music and performances” thanks to efforts by the Christina Lake Arts & Artisans Society, which won awards from the Boundary District Arts Council for outstanding contributions to art in Boundary Country.

Not what you’re looking for?

For information on cafes, check out “Coffee Shops and Espresso Bars in Boundary Country.”

Photography by Woodfin & Co.