8 'ghost towns' with haunted histories to visit in BC
If you’re already looking ahead to spooky season, it may be worth checking out one of the many abandoned ‘ghost towns’ in British Columbia to learn more about our province’s history. So grab your friends and pile into a car, because it’s time to plan a road trip to one of these ‘ghost towns’ with haunted histories in BC.
Waldo
A once prosperous lumber village in East Kootenays, Waldo is an underwater ‘ghost town’ (now adjacent to Koocanusa Village) located on the eastern shores of Kootenay Lake. In the 1960s and 70s, the U.S. government constructed The Libby Dam in Montana, thus creating Lake Koocanusa, which completely wiped the town from the map.
Where: Lake Koocanusa, BC
Fan Tan & Helmcken Alley
Originally a gambling district in one of the oldest surviving Chinatowns on the continent, Fan Tan Alley is now home to a myriad of local shops, restaurants, and galleries. At less than three feet wide at its narrowest, it’s also considered the narrowest commercial street in North America.
Located between Fisgard and Johson Streets, visitors of Fan Tan can imagine a time when gambling parlours and opium dens dominated the alley.
Where: Victoria, BC
Leechtown
Now, we come to the historic site of Leechtown, a 19th-century gold-mining town and former site of railway logging operations. On July 18th, 1864, the Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition (VIEE) discovered “payable gold” at Leech River, which led to a gold rush of its own – and thus the creation of Leechtown.
Where: Leechtown, BC
Sandon
Located in the heart of BC’s ‘Valley of the Ghosts,’ the town of Sandon is a former silver mining town with a ‘wild west’ past. Think saloon brawls, brothels, and a booming silver industry that faded as quickly as it came. By the late 1950s, Sandon was derelict – leaving just a handful of residents remaining today.
Where: Sandon, BC
New Denver and Silverton
The paired towns of New Denver and Silverton are situated on the shores of East Slocan Lake, offering visitors the chance to roam restored historical downtowns. In New Denver, the streets are lined with heritage homes and public parks, as well as a 100-year-old former Bank of Montreal building on Main Street.
The New Denver Orchard serves as a stark reminder of the internment of Japanese Canadians during WWII. Visitors can learn more about those affected through experiential museums like the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre, which strives to share the stories of internees.
Where: West Kootenay, BC
Barkerville
While Sandon was built on silver, Barkerville was built on gold. Situated on Williams Creek, the legendary gold rush town ultimately led to the multi-billion dollar industrial revolution that built this province.
Open 365 days a year, visitors can check out a heritage site with over 125 original buildings and businesses, including period displays, museums, restaurants, and shops.
Where: Barkerville, BC
Ioco
As you may have guessed, there are not a ton of ghost towns in Vancouver proper. But Ioco is one of the closest ghost towns if we’re talking accessibility. And it’s honestly kind of cute. If we could live in one of these houses we probably would. So if you’re looking for a fun drive, head over to Ioco.
Where: Port Moody, BC
Coal Creek
Coal Creek is only accessible via a walking trail from nearby Fernie, offering visitors a glimpse into the past via a former townsite. While it’s not super well preserved, there are a few buildings and ruins to see here.
Where: Outside Fernie, BC
So there you have it, history buffs. If you want to brush up on your local history, consider checking out one of these ‘haunted’ ghost towns across British Columbia.
