History
When Smithers first sprouted up in 1913 as a divisional point on the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, Hudson Bay Mountain was a quiet and impressive sentinel over the growing railroad community. But more than just a picturesque backdrop, the mountain has in many ways shaped this town into what it is today-a thriving community that values outdoor recreation, mountain culture and community life.
The community took its name from Sir Alfred Smithers, the chairman of the board of directors of the railway.
The first Non-aboriginal settlers to the Bulkley Valley were fur traders and missionaries in the 1860's. Best known of the missionaries was Father Adrien-Gabriel Morice who arrived in 1892, into the Wet'suwet'en village of Kyah Wiget, meaning Old Town. Father Morice studied the native language and translated prayer books into Carrier. Later the village later became known as Moricetown after Father Morice.
In 1866, the exploration team for the Collins Overland Telegraph line came through, attempting to construct an overland telegraph line connecting North American to Europe and Asia. Through their efforts failed, the trail served as an access route to gold miners heading north. The Bulkley Valley is named for Colonel Charles Bulkley, the Engineer-in-Charge of the survey team.
Little exploration was carried out in this area until 1892 when a provincial government surveying team noted the potential resources of the valley, By then, the old telegraph tail was known as the Dominion Telegraph line, and was being extended to the Yukon.
Gabriel Lacroix became the first non-aboriginal man into what is now the Smithers area, arriving about 1900 to farm on the east side of the Bulkley River. Then, in 1903, the Fred Heal family settled on the east side of Tyhee Lake. In a few years, settlement began in earnest. The now-vanished village of Aldermere was staked in 1904, followed by Telkwa three years later.
The community of Smithers was founded in 1913 as the divisional headquarters of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The community took its name from Sir Alfred Smithers, the chairman of the board of directors of the railway. Alfred Avenue is also named after him. Lake Kathlyn, one of the most familiar spots in the Smithers area, is named after Sir Alfred's daughter. In 1921, Smithers was designated the first incorporated village in British Columbia. Development of local mineral and agricultural resources were encouraged and a steady economic growth was realized. In 1967, Smithers moved from the status of village to incorporated town.
Pioneer settlers made Smithers their home because of the fertile valley soil, its abundant mineral riches and imposing coniferous forests. Later, tourism played an important part of the economic foundation of the area. Following World War Two, many Europeans immigrated to Smithers, notably Dutch and Swiss families.
Smithers today is a vibrant community comprised of First Nations, second and third generation descendents of European settlers, along with new residents from many parts of the globe.
