Gold Trails and Ghost Towns

There were several rushes on Lightning Creek. Thousands of ounces of gold were mined in what was considered to be the richest placer creek in North America.

Originally an Indian camp, this quiet place was changed forever in the 1850s when thousands of men searching for gold streamed into the area.

This creek boasted several "Nugget Patches"; incredibly rich diggings that produced hundreds of ounces of gold per day.

This area became legendary as a great gold producing town. Right rom the start Republic began producing around 50 tons of gold per month.

Alexander MacDonald had a dream to build up a banking empire, but a daring night-time robbery proved disastrous to his plans.

Known as the Queen City of the Kootenays, Gold Trails examines the rich history of Nelson and the role it played in B.C.'s gold and silver rush!

The riches of the bridge river country are explored. Mines like the Pioneer and the Braelorne produced record amounts of gold.

In the early 1800s the raw lead/zinc/silver ore was used to make musket balls, but it wasn't until the late 1800s that mining took off, and with it several violent incidents.

Named for Blake Wilson and meat packing giant Pat Burns, this town was known for its coal. In the early 1900s thousands of tons of coal were mined until a tragic accident claimed the lives of many miners.

One of B.C.'s most famous gold towns, Barkerville produced literally tons of gold. Many of the fascinating locals in the 1800s left their mark on this historic town.

This colorful newspaperman was often described as five feet tall and always drunk. Lowry was responsible, however, for establishing ten papers in B.C. as he travelled through the Silvery Slocan.

From the 1800s to just after the turn of the century, there were a dozen towns in this area. Trout Lake City was the only survivor. The height of mining in this part of the Kootenays is examined

Born in England, Begbie came to B.C. and became known as the "Hanging Judge". His unusual approach to the law is discussed.