1

With the mass exodus of Europeans to North America and the costly means of communication with loved ones in the old country, most immigrants to Trail inhabited areas of town that offered reminders of home. This was especially true for the Italian community, who occupied the "Gulch," an area west of the downtown sector.

2

Eastern end of gulch
1898
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Trail City Archives

3

The "Gulch" is a unique part of Trail, not only because of its physical characteristics, but also because it was the historical setting for the foundation of Trail's large Italian community.

4

Dublin Gulch taken from Warfield Flats looking south-east
1900
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Trail City Archives

5

First called Dublin Gulch, the Gulch is a narrow valley created by Trail Creek as it comes out of the Rossland Mountains It was part of the Columbia and Western Railway's land grant and as early as 1896 was being settled by squatters who erected small shacks, planted gardens, and raised chickens on unpaid-for land.

6

Dublin Gulch from the west
Mid-1900s
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Trail City Archives

7

After incorporation, the area was taken into the City and the land sold to the squatters to legitimize their occupancy. Early residents obtained their water from Trail Creek. The conditions were very unsanitary and residents of the area were susceptible to disease.

8

Water wheel on Trail Creek at the head of the Gulch
1906
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Trail City Archives

9

When the first Italian immigrants came to Trail they settled in the Gulch, planting the seed for Trail's Italian community.

10

The Montana, an early hotel of the Gulch, built by Issaco Georgetti
1902
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Cristoforo Colombo Lodge Fonds, Trail City Archives

11

On April 5, 1905, a group of Italians banded together to form the Cristoforo Colombo Lodge, a benevolent society for the Italian immigrant.

12

First parade of the Cristoforo Colombo Lodge Society, in front of Kootenay Hotel
1911
The Gulch, Trail, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Trail City Archives
Mrs. G. Landucci
Cristoforo Colombo Lodge

13

Its purpose was to assist members in times of sickness or death and it became the center of the Italian community's social activities.

14

Colombo Lodge: Funeral of Mr. Felicia "Tombino" Santini at St. Francis Church
1922
Trail, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Trail City Archives
Don & Lorna Nutini