Brisco

The valley’s two northernmost communities, Spillimacheen and Brisco saw their genesis in the mid 1800s with the first settlers heading into the area being, for the most part, miners. Later, the communities’ interests and economic bases shifted to agriculture and forestry. Because of their proximity to the Columbia River Wetlands and the abundant variety of bird species, the northern communities have hosted many events as part of the Wings Over the Rockies Bird Festival.

Brisco is located 27 km north of Edgewater and is east of Bugaboo Glacier Provincial Park and the incredible Bugaboo Falls, which features wilderness hike-in camping and some of the best hiking and climbing opportunities in the world.

Amenities in Brisco include a general store established in 1911, postal service, gas station, towing service and ready access to the backcountry. With the Brisco ‘mill,’ officially called Brisco Wood Preservers Ltd., the village’s main economic stay lies in forestry and ranching. The area also provides easy access to canoeing and kayaking on the river and world-class climbing in the Jubilee Mountain area. Adjacent to these communities, Westside Road and Giant Mine Road provide plenty of mountain biking opportunities, while for hikers, Lower Bugaboo Falls Trail and Salmon Falls are also destinations worth visiting. The road leading across the wetlands takes you to Steamboat Mountain as well as Westside Road, with both eventually leading to the Cartwright Lakes fishing areas and Invermere.

Thirteen kilometres north of Brisco is Spillimacheen, another access point to the Purcell Mountain backcountry. A few hundred feet down this road is an information kiosk on the Columbia River and its sprawling wetlands. The kiosk, established by the Friends of the Columbia River Wetlands Society, was officially unveiled during the 4th annual Wings Over the Rockies Bird Festival by official patron Robert Bateman, the internationally revered wildlife artist. The society is dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of the Columbia River Wetlands. Spillimacheen’s economy is largely based on farming and ranching, with a small business community. A highlight as you drive through this storied community is a stop in at the Jubilee Mountain Apiary, in the old Spillimacheen General Store, for a variety of honey sampling. Located in the community, St. Mark’s Anglican Church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1995. The drive between Golden and Invermere, with Spillimacheen the halfway point, follows the Columbia River and its wetlands and is one of the most beautiful 130 km drives you will ever take.

Canal Flats

Canal Flats (population 700) is one of the newest municipalities in British Columbia, having gained incorporation on June 29, 2004. Primarily supported by the local mill, Canal Flats is a bustling and growing centre. The community features restaurants, a pub, a hardware store, post office and a great nine-hole golf course (th’ Flats). The ’Flats, as locals call it, also boasts a community-run park which serves as the perfect setting for an afternoon travelling break, with swimming, a boat launch on Columbia Lake and a picnic area.

Canal Flats is the gateway to several world-class backcountry parks, including Whiteswan, Top of the World and Premier Lake provincial parks. Access to Lussier Hot Springs is located just south of Canal Flats on the Whiteswan Forest Service road. It is also the entrance to the Kootenay River Road, which leads explorers into a vast Rocky Mountain wilderness, renowned for whitewater paddling, hunting, fishing and camping; and the gateway to Purcell Mountain wilderness areas, with Whitetail Lake and Blue Lake, a short drive from the town.

History:

Canal Flats was originally called McGillivray’s Portage, so named in 1808 by mapmaker David Thompson. In 1883, an English sportsman named William Adolphe Baillie-Grohman dreamed of building a canal across McGillivray’s Portage from Columbia Lake to the Kootenay River. He envisioned being able to connect the Columbia River system with the Kootenay, allowing water traffic from the valley to access the Creston area. Columbia Lake was at the time only 11 feet lower than the Kootenay River, so the engineering problems surrounding the plan were not insurmountable. Baillie-Grohman planned his canal to be 45 feet wide and 6,700 feet long to connect the two rivers across the gravel flat that lay between them. The outcome of the feat would drain the sloughs in the Creston Valley. After a lengthy process, the B.C. government finally allowed the canal to be built, with a lock. At 100 ft. long by 30 ft. wide, the lock was completed around 1888, but by this time Baillie-Grohman had given up his dream and retired to England, while a year later the government decided to close the canal. Only two boats ever went through the canal: the Gwendoline in 1894, going from Columbia Lake to the Kootenay River, and the North Star in 1902, headed to Golden from Montana. The North Star was too large though, and the captain of the steamer, Francis Armstrong, had to blast the side of the canal to get his boat through. The remains of the canal can still be seen today.

During all of this a small community had sprung up: Grohman. It consisted of four dwellings, a sawmill, warehouse, post office and a licensed hotel. Eventually the community grew and the name changed to Canal Flat, with the ‘s’ added several years later, apparently, according to locals, because it was mistakenly added to a highway sign and it “just stuck.”

Edgewater

Ten kilometres, 5 minutes, north of Radium Hot Springs lies the picturesque hamlet of Edgewater. This quaint village provides many basic amenities such as a general store, gas station, post office, community hall, library, an elementary school, a church, a branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, a community park, Frank’s Skating rink, Shorty’s BBQ n Ice Cream Shop, an open market and periodic variety shows in the summer.

A feature attraction of the hamlet is its still operational flume, built in 1912. Edgewater now aims to nurture the original concept of a self-supporting agriculture, trades-oriented community, but it’s stunning setting along the World renown Columbia Wetlands, perhaps lends it’s future to tourism. During the summer, every Saturday morning at 10 a.m., the Royal Canadian Legion building, (4858 Cordillera St.), is home to the Edgewater Open Market. Now in operation for more than 30 years, it is a great place to discover some deals on locally-made arts, crafts and produce.

Keeping in line with the rest of the valley communities, Edgewater also provides plenty of outdoor pursuit opportunities. Over the years, it has been the choice for those engaged in guiding, hiking, hunting, paddling, fishing, snow sports and other forms of recreation. The arts and music are also represented in the village with the lovingly maintained Edgewater Community Hall where performances are held throughout the year.

History:

Set in the breathtaking beauty of the Columbia Valley, with the majestic Rocky Mountains to the east, Steamboat Mountain and the Purcell Mountain range to the west, Edgewater is one of the oldest communities in the valley, with a permanent population of about 540 residents. The hamlet was originally settled in the 1880s by Dr. Gaddes, a cattle rancher and veterinary surgeon from the prairies, when he established the Columbia Valley Ranches. From cattle and farming, the town’s focus turned to forestry when the Edgewater Saw Mill was built in the early 1900s. From the mill grew what is now Edgewater, which was incorporated in 1947.

Fairmont Hot Springs

Fairmont Hot Springs, 26 kilometres south of Invermere, first made its mark with Europeans due of its natural, odourless hot springs. Located just north of Columbia Lake, and straddling Highway 93/95, Fairmont is divided into two parts, Riverside and Mountainside. Half of the community lies along the banks of the Columbia River and the other half at the base of the magnificent Rocky Mountains. Also considered part of Fairmont are the communities of Columere Park and Dutch Creek, located just south on Highway 93/95.

A small resort town, Fairmont offers a host of basic amenities such as restaurants, accommodations, gas stations, cafés, grocery store, apparel and gift retailers, a church and an airport.

Fairmont Hot Springs offers great recreation opportunities which include, during the summer months, golfing at two 18-hole championship golf courses. Also available are two family friendly Par-3 courses, Fairmont Creekside Par 3 Golf Course and Coy’s Par 3, a beautiful nine hole track set above Columbia Lake.

Winter recreation centres around the Fairmont ski hill located approximately four km beyond the resort’s main complex. There are two lifts and a large number of intermediate runs; the hill strives to provide family skiing including night skiing and snowboarding. With 304 m of vertical, the family ski hill offers a cafeteria, lounge, ski school and equipment rentals. Other winter activities include snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. However, Fairmont’s biggest year-round draw is its hot springs. The pools’ complex is made up of soaking hot pools, a warm swimming pool and a diving pool.

History:

Fairmont’s history dates back to 1887 when an Englishman name George Geary homesteaded a large tract of land that included the hot springs. Geary left Fairmont a year later and turned his holdings over to Sam Brewer who moved to the valley from the United States. In Fairmont, Brewer operated an establishment for stagecoaches to stop at as they traveled up and down the valley. In the early 1900’s the property was purchased by W. Heap Holland, a manufacturer from Manchester, England, who operated the property as a ranch and resort.

Much of the resort as you see it today, dates back to 1957 when Earl and Lloyd Wilder, originally from Saskatchewan, along with some local investors, purchased the property. At the time, the resort was little more than some outdoor change rooms and a some tent cabins, situated around a small pool. The Wilders eventually bought out the local investors and in 1965 Lloyd bought out his brother Earl to become the sole proprietor of Fairmont Hot Springs. The Resort remained in the Wilder family, being run up to 2006 by Lloyd’s daughter, Carol Seable until the sale to Ken Fowler Enterprises who is the present proprietor.

Fort Steele

Experience what the old west was about, at Fort Steele Heritage Town. Perched on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, down Highway 93/95, Fort Steele had its beginnings in the gold rush of 1864. The village has gone from boomtown to regional centre to ghost town to one of the most important heritage attractions of its kind in British Columbia. A visit to this precious piece of western heritage is a step back in time, a moment in time that almost stands still.

Enjoy old-time farming demonstrations, ice-cream making, train rides and horse-drawn wagon tours, old west hospitality at its finest! Try your luck at gold panning as they did over a century ago, watch live theatre performances or observe the museum displays. Visit the local blacksmith or dress making shop and see pioneer techniques in use, creating historic and modern day items, which are available for purchase. Or simply enjoy the view with a stroll through the village gardens, in a Kootenay Rocky Mountain setting.

A trip to this significant East Kootenay attraction is a must see on your next adventure through our backyard!

Invermere on the Lake

Invermere is nestled along the beautiful north shore of Lake Windermere and is watched over by majestic Mt. Nelson. As the community grew with word of its pristine landscape, semi-arid environment and friendly residents, Invermere prospered and has grown into a tourist destination. The summer population swells to thousands from its usual population of around 3300.

With two beautiful beaches (Kinsmen and James Chabot) the town offers great public access to Lake Windermere. Almost every recreation activity one could think of in a mountain resort town is available in Invermere, and with rental and recreation specialty shops geared toward the outdoor enthusiast located abundantly, you are never at a loss for something to do!

Invermere serves as a place for visitors to stop and explore the area, with its unique shopping, dining and travel amenities, Invermere has developed a lovely mix of small-mountain town charm. Attractive flower beds and hanging baskets splash colour throughout the town, which has retained much of its turn-of-the-century architecture and the town’s small parks offer a quite place to enjoy the surrounding peace and beauty.

Art lovers will enjoy Invermere’s creative side, with the Pynelogs Cultural Centre, adjacent to Kinsmen Beach. This establishment displays the works of many of the numerous valley artists, as well as offers tea and baked goodies or lunch during the summer months. There are also some lovely Botanical Gardens next to Pynelogs to discover. The town is also home to several small private art galleries.

Invermere is also the gateway to beautiful Panorama Mountain Village and the fat, world-famous skiing snows of the central Purcells.

History:

A quintessential mountain lake community today, Invermere’s earliest settlements date back to 1890 when Edmund Johnston created the settlement, and called it Copper City. The name was chose in the hopes that the wealth of the copper being mined in the nearby mountains would result in the growth of the settlement. The land was owned by Mr. Johnston who ten years later in 1900, sold his interest to Louis A. Garnett. Mr. Garnett subsequently changed the name to Canterbury, and the Canterbury Townsite Company was formed.

In 1901 W.S. Santo built the communities first general store. The Canterbury Hotel was built the same year where today the Invermere Inn now stands. The Canterbury Hotel only operated for a couple years due to lack of business and a more bustling community of Peterborough, now Wilmer.

In 1909, the Columbia Valley Irrigated Fruit Company (CVIFC) bought much of the Canterbury townsite and renamed it Invermere, a Scottish name “inver” which means at the mouth and “mere” which means lake. 1911 saw Frank Stockdale open the communities first hardware store and soon after the Fisher dry goods grocery store opened next door. By 1912/1913 many more settlers were arriving in the area due to CVIFC promoting the sale of farm land to British immigrants.

For many years agriculture prospered, though the town was always dependant on the success of the Paradise Mine west of the community. Forestry was also seen as a viable industry to pursue and soon this too grew into a major economic player. By 1951, the community had grown to several hundred and finally was incorporated.

Kimberley

Kimberley, over the years has transformed itself into “the Bavarian” city with a distinct Bavarian feel and flavour. From the town centre “the Platzl” which is a pedestrian only hub of activity, shopping and restaurants, Cominco Gardens, the Underground Mining Railway, Marysville Falls to the incredible Kimberley Mountain Resort, there are so many adventures to be had in this quaint mountain city.

History:

Kimberley’s early beginnings date back to the summer of 1891 with the discovery of ore on what is now North Star Mountain or Kimberley Mountain Resort. Two prospectors, Joe Bourgeois and his partner Jim Langhill were among dozens of prospectors combing the St.Mary’s region for “shows” of ore. A year later in 1892 four prospectors, E.C Smith, John Cleaver, Pat Sullivan and Walter Burchette discovered a high-grade out-crop of minerals to the west of the North Star Mine that became known as the famous Sullivan Mine. The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company (now called Teck Cominco) acquired the Sullivan Mine.

A small settlement called Mark Creek Crossing rose on the heels of the Sullivan Mine’s growth. In 1896 the settlement’s name was changed to Kimberley in expectation that the Sullivan Mine’s lead, silver and zinc deposits would be as rich as the diamond mines of Kimberley, South Africa. The Sullivan mine closed in 2001 after four generations of miners and their families called the area home. The North Star mine closed years before this and the mountain above the mine was transform into a world class ski resort, Kimberley Mountain Resort.

The town is located along Highway 95A, about 70 km (43.5 miles) or 45 minutes, south of Canal Flats. Kimberley is Canada’s second highest city at an elevation of 1110 m / 3663 ft above sea level, and enjoys metres of fluffy snow with mild temperatures in the winter and dry warm weather during the summer months.

Kootenay National Park

Set in the Rocky Mountains, is a land where towering summits and hanging glaciers meet narrow chasms, broad forested valleys and colour-splashed mineral pools. Kootenay National Park is an area of unbelievable scenery and abundant wildlife, including Rocky Mountain Big Horned Sheep, Elk, Mule and White Tail Deer, Moose, Cougar, Wolves, Black and Grizzly Bears to name a few.

The best way to experience the Park is to travel the 100 km (62 mi) along the Kootenay Parkway (Highway 93) which cuts through the park north to south from Castle Junction in Alberta to Radium Hot Springs. Visitors travelling along the Kootenay Parkway will discover ever-changing scenery, encountering everything from alpine tundra in the upper reaches, to stands of Douglas fir and prickly pear cactus at lower altitudes in the south. The Park has over 200 km (120 mi) of hiking trails, both easy and challenging and numerous viewpoints that originate from the parkway.

Panorama Village

Panorama Mountain Village, 18 km west of Invermere, is the largest multi-purpose ski resort in the valley and the training ground for Canada’s and many other nations’ elite skiers. Originally founded as the Panorama Ski Hill Company in 1962, the resort became a reality thanks to three locals: Karl Strobl, Fritz Zehnder and Guy Messerli. Development continued under different owners through the 1970s and the 1980s and new lifts were added as well as slope-side accommodations.

1993 saw Panorama purchased by Vancouver based and World renowned resort operator, Intrawest Corporation, and the resort was named what it is known as today, Panorama Mountain Village. Since Intrawest’s investment into Panorama and the community, the hill has seen extensive snowmaking capabilities added, ski and snowboard runs added and in 2003 two new quad chairs were added to the mountain. Intrawest has further developed Panorama into a year round destination by adding a residential component at the base of the hill and the World class Greywolf Golf Course, a 7,140 yard, par 72 track.

Panorama is one of the premier resorts in the province. Alpine Canada Alpin recently named Panorama as the National Training Centre for all of Canada’s ski racers, and it is known as the training ground for national teams from around the world. This spectacular championship course, named the best new course in Canada in 1999 by Golf Digest, is literally carved into the side of Panorama Mountain and along Hopeful and Toby Creeks. Every hole offers something wild and wonderful for all levels of golfers. Even with all the developments to the village, Panorama remains a comfortable outpost on the fringe of the famous Purcell wilderness. Winter at Panorama is just as spectacular, if not more fun! Decades of improvements and development made it possible for the mountain to host World Cup races in 1985, 1988, 1992 and again in November 2007. Panorama is one of the premier resorts in the province. Alpine Canada recently was named Panorama as the National Training Centre for all of Canada’s ski racers, by Alpine Canada, and it is known as the training ground for national teams from around the world.

Panorama boasts 4,000 vertical feet, one of the highest verticals in North America, and 2,847 acres of patrolled terrain, which is made up of 120 trails - 15% beginner, 55% intermediate and 30% expert, and is serviced by nine lifts.

Panorama Mountain Resort and Intrawest Corporation announced in January of 2010 the sale of Panorama Mountain Ski and Golf operations to a local business group headed up by Rick Jensen and their newly formed company Panorama Mountain Village Inc.

Panorama is home to the Bilodeau School of Skiing & Snowboarding (SOS), one of the best in North America. SOS is owned and operated by locals Don and Heather Bilodeau, who also run the legendary on-mountain Elkhorn Cabin. The newly expanded cabin now offers memorable lunch dining with dramatic views, an excellent “All Canadian” menu and warm hospitality. On the edge of the Bugaboos, RK HeliSki makes the most of the largest heli-ski area in the world. For cross-country skiers, the Greywolf Nordic Centre features over 20 km of maintained and groomed classic and skate trails.

The drive to Panorama is rugged B.C. mountain scenery at its finest, as it follows Toby Creek and Toby Creek Gorge, one of the more widely acclaimed kayaking creeks in the world (experts only in the gorge). While the drive is beautiful, it requires careful attention.

Panorama is also close to the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy and Jumbo Pass, with numerous excellent hiking trails, including Earl Grey Pass, snowmobile trails, and areas to explore. Just west of Panorama, Jumbo Glacier Resort is proposing a world class, environmentally conscious, year round skiing/snowboarding resort, which could further cement the Columbia Valley as a world class visitor destination.

Radium Hot Springs

Located in the Northern Columbia River Valley at the junction of Hwy. 93 and 95, at the gateway to Kootenay National Park, the community has been historically tied to tourism and the forestry industry. Known as British Columbia’s Bighorn Sheep Capital, due to the large number of sheep that call the area home, the sheep are frequently seen from Autumn to mid Spring. An especially unique sight occurs in late Autumn, when the male Bighorn Sheep begin to joust for dominance, violently head butting one another.

Although Radium Hot Springs is the Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep capital of B.C., Radium Hot Springs is most famous for which it is named, naturally warm water springing from the earth and captured in a huge soaking pool in the adjoining Kootenay National Park. The Village of Radium Hot Springs, population 750, was incorporated in 1992, and is establishing itself as one of British Columbia’s fastest growing communities. Like most valley communities, Radium has an interesting past.

History:

The Kootenai people used Sinclair Canyon/Pass as a route between the Kootenay and Columbia valleys and soothed their tired muscles and other ailments in the healing hot springs while in the area.

In 1841 a Hudson’s Bay Company man, James Sinclair from the Red River Colony (now Manitoba), led an expedition of immigrants bound for Oregon up the Bow River Valley (in Alberta) and into the heart of what is now Kootenay National Park before venturing up into the pass that now bears his name and “discovered” the hot springs on his descent into the valley.

Of course, the hot springs remained the focus of any story told about the “Sinclair Hot Springs” when early travellers swapped tales. The Springs were purchased by the enterprising Roland Stuart in 1890 for $160.00, but he did little with the springs until 1912 when a log bath house was built.

The next year Stuart had a sample of the springs water tested at McGill University and the tests showed a level of radium in the water. The name of the pools was changed to “Radium Hot Springs” in 1915. It is believed the water is therapeutic, particularly for arthritis sufferers. Even for completely healthy people, the water is certainly relaxing and soothing and the view provided from the pools of the red walls of Sinclair Canyon, named for explorer James Sinclair, is sheer beauty. Geographical formations, as witnessed by the towering red rock wall and the dramatic Sinclair canyon which you pass through upon entering Radium, are a wonder to behold!

Back in 1920 when its population consisted of a handful of construction workers and lumberjacks, accommodations were neither so plentiful nor civilized as they are today. Two dollars a week bought you space shared with strangers in a tent with a bed made of clean hay, illuminated by candles stuck in empty whiskey bottles. Use of the hot pool cost 50 cents or $1 a day for as many soaks as you wanted. In 1923 Robert R. Bruce’s venture to connect the Columbia Valley with Alberta by highway came to an end, with the Banff-Windermere Highway finally being completed. Radium’s future role as a major player in the region’s economy was set!

Spillimacheen

The valley’s two northernmost communities, Spillimacheen and Brisco saw their genesis in the mid 1800s with the first settlers heading into the area being, for the most part, miners. Later, the communities’ interests and economic bases shifted to agriculture and forestry. Because of their proximity to the Columbia River Wetlands and the abundant variety of bird species, the northern communities have hosted many events as part of the Wings Over the Rockies Bird Festival.

Brisco is located 27 km north of Edgewater and is east of Bugaboo Glacier Provincial Park and the incredible Bugaboo Falls, which features wilderness hike-in camping and some of the best hiking and climbing opportunities in the world.

Amenities in Brisco include a general store established in 1911, postal service, gas station, towing service and ready access to the backcountry. With the Brisco ‘mill,’ officially called Brisco Wood Preservers Ltd., the village’s main economic stay lies in forestry and ranching. The area also provides easy access to canoeing and kayaking on the river and world-class climbing in the Jubilee Mountain area. Adjacent to these communities, Westside Road and Giant Mine Road provide plenty of mountain biking opportunities, while for hikers, Lower Bugaboo Falls Trail and Salmon Falls are also destinations worth visiting. The road leading across the wetlands takes you to Steamboat Mountain as well as Westside Road, with both eventually leading to the Cartwright Lakes fishing areas and Invermere.

Thirteen kilometres north of Brisco is Spillimacheen, another access point to the Purcell Mountain backcountry. A few hundred feet down this road is an information kiosk on the Columbia River and its sprawling wetlands. The kiosk, established by the Friends of the Columbia River Wetlands Society, was officially unveiled during the 4th annual Wings Over the Rockies Bird Festival by official patron Robert Bateman, the internationally revered wildlife artist. The society is dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of the Columbia River Wetlands. Spillimacheen’s economy is largely based on farming and ranching, with a small business community. A highlight as you drive through this storied community is a stop in at the Jubilee Mountain Apiary, in the old Spillimacheen General Store, for a variety of honey sampling. Located in the community, St. Mark’s Anglican Church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1995. The drive between Golden and Invermere, with Spillimacheen the halfway point, follows the Columbia River and its wetlands and is one of the most beautiful 130 km drives you will ever take.

Windermere

Windermere, a five minute drive south of Invermere, offers a grocery store, post office and a couple gas stations along the highway, prior to entering the hamlet. Windermere is a popular spot for fishing, sailboarding, hang-gliding, swimming, waterskiing and golf. There are numerous options for entertainment and recreation, like bowling or a challenging round of golf at the beautiful 18-hole Windermere Valley Golf Course. Windermere Beach is the perfect location for a picnic, and kids can burn up their energy in the playground if swimming isn’t to their liking. Also, be sure to stop by ‘artisans’ corner’, during the spring to fall season, at the only four-way stop in the community, and keep an eye out for the annual Windermere Fall Fair and Scarecrow Festival – a great day for family fun.

History:

The picturesque hamlet of 450 is one of the few places in the Columbia Valley to retain its original name. It was christened in 1883 by Gilbert Malcolm Sproat, who also named Lake Windermere. In 1887 mail began to make its way to the new settlement by way of horse, and in 1888, George Starke built the Windermere Hotel. In 1890 a warehouse and dock were constructed on the lakeshore, and three years later, blacksmith George Geary established his smith shop and stopping house.

By 1900, Windermere boasted its first school class under the tutelage of Mary Kay Smith, also a Presbyterian church, an addition to the Windermere Hotel, and the valley’s first doctor, Robert Elliott. The final year of the 1800s also saw the White House and St. Peter’s Church moved from Donald, BC to Windermere. The St. Peter’s Church is better known as the Stolen Church. Rufus Kimpton, a local, had moved his family to Windermere in 1899 from Donald, but his wife pined for the little church she had left behind, and Rufus took it upon himself to ‘steal’ the house of worship and move it to his family’s new home.

The Columbia Lumber Company brought many loggers to the valley in the early part of the century, thus the townsite began to grow. People came to Windermere to farm, raise cattle, pan for gold or transport goods and supplies from Sandpoint, Idaho to the store in Windermere. Though the land had little agricultural potential, settlers persisted in attempting to grow crops. Many of the settlers were from England, but a variety of backgrounds made up the population of early Windermere.

A board of trade was established in 1956, and the Windermere Historical Society was formed in 1958. Several of the original buildings still stand today, including the Northwest Mounted Police barracks, the White House, St. Peter’s Church and Pitts Family Store.

One of the first families to live in the community brought their home with them when they moved to Windermere. The building was operated as the White House Hotel for a number of years and the original name and character have been preserved. It now operates solely as a pub.