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Greenwood, British Columbia is Canada’s smallest city, dating back to the late 19th century with over 60 remaining heritage buildings to explore. So if you love the charm of a small town with a rich history, this is definitely one to bookmark!
Situated in the Kootenay Boundary region of BC just north of the border, Greenwood is considered the smallest incorporated city in the country, and it’s got the perfect mix of history and outdoor wonders to dive into.
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 BC 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 shortlived, however, as copper prices plummeted after WWI and the population dwindled to a mere few hundred by 1940.
Greenwood truly became an abandoned ‘ghost town’ after the forced internment of Japanese Canadians in 1942, according to its website.
Flash forward to today, and visitors can explore the town’s historic downtown, which consists of over 60 heritage buildings. This includes its City Hall, Courthouse, and Post Office, all of which are in use.
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.
In terms of outdoor activities, there are plenty of nearby lakes, rivers, and parks to explore year-round, including Boundary Creek and Jewel Lake.
The former offers visitors a scenic walk back in time past a former power generation site, a smuggling depot for gold, and a transportation terminal.
Although the park gates at Jewel Lake Provincial Park are now closed for the winter season, the park can still be accessed on foot.
So there you have it, Vancouver! Enjoy your visit to this tiny slice of BC history.
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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