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Craigellachie
Craigellachie is located 45 km (28 miles) west of Revelstoke
and 29 km (18 miles) east of Sicamous
on the Trans-Canada Hwy 1. Craigellachie is just east of Malakwa
near the entrance to Eagle Pass.
Canadian
Pacific Railroad
Craigellachie is the location of the ceremonial last spike which
was performed on November 7, 1885. This was the completion date
for the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad into British
Columbia and the Pacific Ocean from the rest of Canada. The construction
of the Canadian Pacific Railroad was ballyhooed as it was about
six years ahead of schedule.
Sir
George Stephen
Craigellachie was named by Sir George Stephen, the first president
of the CPR. Upon hearing the news he had received financing to build
a transcontinetal railway, he immediately shouted, "Stand fast,
Craigellachie." This cheer was in reference to Sir George Stephen's
ancestral war cheer from Craigellachie, Scotland.
'The
Last Spike'
'The Last Spike' is located on the west side of Craigellachie on
Trans-Canada Hwy 1 next to the Canadian Pacific Railway and overlooking
the Eagle River. The site features a historic obelisk with the names
and important dates of the times, a 'Stop of Interest' informational
sign, rest area, public flush toilets, picnic grounds, historic
photographs and a souvenir store called 'The Gift Shoppe.'
Beardale
Miniatureland
One attraction worth visiting in Craigellachie is Beardale Miniatureland,
a fantasy land created and lovingly handcrafted by past owners of
28 years, Herb and Fran Egin. Beardale Miniatureland is now operated
by Three Valley Lake Chateau and still carries on the tradition
of showing fairy tales through life-size animated displays and settings.
Beardale Miniatureland is only open and operated from May until
September.
The
Enchanted Forest
Located nearby towards Malakwa on the Trans-Canada Hwy 1 is another
tourist attraction found at the Enchanted Forest. The site of an
old-growth forest, the Enchanted Forest will take you through a
beautiful woodland property featuring a forest trail taking you
to a giant 800-year-old cedar tree and over 350 handcrafted Jolly
Fairy Folk figurines. The attraction park is open annually from
8 am to dusk from May 15 to September 15th.
Craigellachie
Esso
Situated 2 km (1.3 miles) east of 'The last Spike' at the Perry
River Bridge is the Craigellachie Esso Service Station. A favourite
of truckers stopping for a break while travelling on the Trans-Canada-Hwy
1, the Craigellachie Esso has good parking for RV's and features
a restaurant with helpful staff. Telephone: (250) 836-4949
Seymour
Arm on Shuswap Lake
For backroad adventures there is a gravel forestry road that takes
you to Seymour Arm on Shuswap Lake from Craigellachie. The route
starts approximately 320 metres (1,050 feet) west of the Esso Service
Station on the Perry River Forest Road, eventually going about 85
km (53 miles) to the small community of Seymour Arm.
Please
Exercise Caution
Just a safety reminder - the road is subject to clearance problems
and should only be attempted with a motorcycle, 4x4, SUV or a heavy-duty
truck. Also, there could be logging trucks or heavy equipment using
this road, so please exercise caution. Also make sure you have an
off-roads map because there are limited directional signs. For information
regarding current road conditions, check with the Esso service station
on Hwy 1 near the Perry River Bridge.
Accommodation
There is a motel in Craigellachie called the Edelweiss Lodge. It
is situated 2 km east of the Craigellachie Esso service station
on the Trans-Canada Hwy 1. There is also an RV campground called
Pair of Dice R.V. Park also located on the highway which features
full-service hookups. Telephone (250) 836-2265 for camping information.
Eagle
River
The Eagle River starts from high in the Monashee Mountains near
Three Valley Gap and flows west through Craigellachie. Eventually
the river flows west on its way to the Shuswap Lake at Sicamous.
During the summer the Eagle River is very popular as an adventure
destination for the locals.
Information
on Craigellachie
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