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The Early Years of Ranching in British Columbia

The ranching potential of the interior plateau of British Columbia was recognized in the early 1820s by the Hudson's Bay Company, which had exclusive trading rights in what was then known as New Caledonia. BC's interior, in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, provided the perfect climate for bunchgrass, which turned out to be extremely nutritious for cattle and horses. The HBC needed horses to transport the furs it had obtained trading in the north, and decided to raise horses in the bunchgrass-rich areas around Fort Kamloops. In an effort to make the forts self-sufficient, the HBC introduced cattle to the Interior. Cattle drives from areas such as Oregon in the United States began in 1858, as the lure of gold drew hungry miners into this region. The real rush would begin in the following year with the discovery of gold in the Cariboo.

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Cattle Drive from Quesnel into Ashcroft
Circa 1900
Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Ashcroft Museum

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In June of 1858, American General Joel Palmer drove a herd, following the Hudson's Bay trading route, from The Dalles on the Columbia River to the Thompson River Post (Fort Kamloops). Palmer paid 10% duty on the herd at Kamloops, a tax that was applied to all cross-border trading. This 'road tax' helped to build British Columbia's infrastructure, cementing British rule in the newly formed colony. In 1860, the Southern Boundary Act imposed higher duties, resulting in much unobserved border traffic until permanent crossings were established.

During 1861-62, about 6,000 cattle were driven north from Oregon. By 1863, cattlemen were making a net profit of $40 each on cattle purchased at $10 a head. The industry then suffered a setback with the outbreak of the American Civil War and the imposition of an embargo, but soon thereafter, the importation of cattle reached a new peak of 3,429 in 1865.

Each year, the challenge for cattlemen was to get their cattle to the Cariboo mines by late spring in time for the mining season. In winter, the miners left the Cariboo and there was no market for meat during those months. As early as 1861, on the advice of Donald McLean, cattle were wintered in the hospitable climate and land of the Thompson, Bonaparte, and Hat Creek Valleys, in close proximity to the gold fields. On their arrival to this area, American cattlemen often sold their herds to local businessmen, who would then continue to drive to the Cariboo mines in the spring.

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Palmer, Joel
1850s (?)
Unknown

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The Harper brothers Thaddeus and Jerome established themselves early on as importers of cattle and became major players in the developing ranching industry of British Columbia's interior. Many others, including miners-turned-farmers, who often worked the smaller operations, also helped to build the industry. The Colonial Office encouraged members of the British upper middle class to immigrate to the area during the 1860s. It was felt this would help offset the great number of Americans in the colony. The government also stimulated range land sales by offering it at $1.00 an acre compared to $2.50 an acre for mixed farming. This resulted in the development of some large tracts of land.

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Harper, Jerome
19th Century
Unknown

Credits:
Ashcroft Museum

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The influential British immigrants wanted to acquire land and status; several were very successful. For example, the Cornwall brothers were able to amass 6,452 acres of land through pre-emptions and purchases, and 10,000 acres of leased land. Clement Cornwall was the first elected representative to the Colonial Assembly. Many settlers were drawn to the area by the gold rush and ended up joining the immigrants in mixed farming, which provided food for the mining population. The activities of many farms along the Cariboo Road included the operation of roadhouses, such as Hat Creek House, which offered food and accommodation to travellers and their animals.

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Cornwall, Henry
Circa 1868
Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Ashcroft Museum

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By 1870 the gold rush was virtually over and the demand for beef had dwindled. However, the local beef industry had grown to the point that cattle drives were now made to the south to supply those markets. Due to severe price fluctuations, the last great drive occurred in 1876, when Thaddeus Harper drove 600 steers to Billings, Montana

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With the advent of the railway in 1885, cattle could be shipped by rail, market forces changed, and the industry began to grow, making it possible for the ranches of the Southern Interior to establish themselves on a permanent basis.