Canada’s smallest city is in B.C. & it was once a contender for the provincial capital

Greenwood, British Columbia might not elicit instant familiarity, but the tiny city was once a contender for the provincial capital, and is now considered the smallest incorporated city in Canada!

With over 60 heritage buildings dating back to the 1890s, Greenwood has a fascinating history to explore during your visit. For one, it’s known as one of the last two great mining towns, once containing one of the British Empire’s largest smelters.

“Everyone in the West knew about Greenwood in 1899,” says the city’s website. “Order an espresso ‘to go’ and take the Greenwood Heritage Walk, with maps available at the Greenwood Museum and Visitor Centre.”

Greenwood’s historic downtown includes an official City Hall, Courthouse, and Post Office, all of which are in use today.

History of Greenwood

The city’s mining roots can be traced back to 1891 with the discovery of gold, silver, and copper, leading to the creation of the B.C. Copper Company smelter in 1901. This gave the town a reputation as the “hub” of the Boundary area, with people from all corners of the world flocking to Greenwood.

This prosperity was short-lived, however, as copper prices plummeted after WWI and the population dwindled to a few hundred by 1940. After the forced internment of Japanese Canadians in 1942, Greenwood truly became an abandoned ‘ghost town,’ according to its website.

‘Deadwood City’

If you want to extend the journey, there are remnants of ‘Deadwood City’ near the town of Greenwood to check out. Prior to 1919, around 300 men worked at the Motherlode Mine half a mile away. Now, all that remains are a few building foundations and a massive hole in the mountain, according to Greenwood’s website.

Those interested in digging into more of the area’s history can check out the Greenwood Museum, while outdoor lovers can head to the stunning nearby Boundary Creek and Falls, and Jewel Lake Provincial Park.

Situated in Boundary Country just 14 kilometres from the U.S. border, Greenwood is about a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Vancouver, or a one-hour drive from Osoyoos. So if you find yourself in wine country this spring or summer, it’s definitely worth adding Greenwood to your itinerary.

Happy road-tripping!

Greenwood

How to get there: Drive six hours from Vancouver via the Trans-Canada Highway/BC-1 E and Crowsnest Hwy/BC-3 E.

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