The Last Spike

The Last Spike

In Craigellachie, British Columbia at 9:22 am on November 7, 1885, the last railway spike was hammered in, connecting Canada from coast to coast. The Canadian Pacific Railway was formed to physically unite Canada and Canadians from coast to coast and the building of the railway is considered to be one of Canada’s greatest feats…

Nellie McClung Wins the Vote
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Nellie McClung Wins the Vote

In 1918, through the efforts of social reformer Nellie McClung, Canadian women finally received the vote. In 1929, through the activism of Nellie and the “Famous Five“, women were officially declared “persons” in Canada. Led by judge Emily Murphy, the group included Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise Crummy McKinney and Irene Parlby. Together, the five women had many years of…

Barkerville

Barkerville

Billy Barker’s legendary gold strike on Williams Creek triggered a multi-billion dollar industrial revolution that literally built a province. Today, the extraordinary historic town of Barkerville stands as a living testament to BC’s golden beginnings. With its unique streetscape of more than 125 heritage buildings, period displays, satellite museums, restaurants and shops there is still…

Becoming A Mountie

Becoming A Mountie

Did you know that Canada’s national police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) dates back to the time of Confederation? Prime Minister John A. Macdonald created the original force (the North-West Mounted Police) to round up horse thieves and whiskey smugglers on the Prairies. Since 1886 recruits have completed basic training at the Depot…