Day 13 - 14 - Mile "0" Campground Dawson Creek, BC

Our day started out cloudy and cooler than what we are use to. We just heard they had 17 cm of snow in Jasper, AB. Thank goodness we are not going that way. We will hit Jasper in early August. Hopefully no snow then. The trip takes us 178 miles or 287 kms through flat land to moderate rolling hills.

We make a short stop for a picture op in Beaverlodge, AB home of the giant beaver. This 15 foot/4.6 metre high beaver perched on a 19 foot/6 metre log represents 100 years of settlement history.

He have finally reached British Columbia where we really start to tour this wonderful country.

We pulled into Mile “0” RV Park just after 1 o’clock. We quickly set up then decided to check out the Walter Wright Pioneer Village which is adjacent to the campground. Walter Wright happened to be a long time resident of Dawson Creek who had a passion for preserving the area’s history. The Village is a collection of original buildings from the surrounding area moved to this final resting spot.

The Taylor House was built in 1928 by Fred Taylor and his sister Alice who emigrated with their parents from England. The household furnishings are from the 1920’s.

This burled spruce log is 50 feet long. The large growths on the trunk of the tree are called burls. Burls will not kill a tree, but will weaken it so that it may be vulnerable to disease. The largest burl trees in the world are found in British Columbia and especially Dawson Creek. A burl begins life as a gall or small tumor caused by the presence of a fungi, insect, or bacteria. The burl grows much faster than the tree. This fast growth results in wood that has an attractive grain making it desirable for fine furniture and carvings.

The Dawson Creek School was built in 1916. It was built on the south side of the creek close to families as the north side were all bachelors. The school closed in 1918 due to lack of students but an influx of settlers in 1919 required it to reopen.

The Trappers Cabin was built in 1930 using wooden pegs instead of nails. The small storage area on stilts was for their meat and supplies.

The first Anglican Church in the area was started in the spring and completed in the fall of 1919. Today the church can be rented and is a popular place for summer weddings.

This 1942 US Army Chevrolet 1 ½ Ton 4x4 was used during WWII to carry aircraft fuel drums to airfields. This is the same type of truck used to build the Alaska Highway, transporting men and machinery. The top speed is 45 kms.

The horse drawn Victor Potato Digger was manufactured in Quebec. A rounded plate digs under the row of potatoes and the pronged arms removes the potatoes from the earth.

The Boundary United Church was built 1931 near the Alberta/British Columbia boundary. The church was completely built by hand, logs were cut in the bush and hauled to the sawmill for finishing into lumber.

Tomorrow is a new day and we get to explore more of Dawson Creek and the history behind the making of the Alaska Highway. Can't wait.