1
Gold was discovered at Nicomen Creek, just east of Lytton in 1858. This started the Cariboo Gold Rush, and thousands of miners flooded into the area in search of the yellow metal.2
Gold brought thousands of miners into and through Lytton.It was a main staging area for travel into the Cariboo and the richer gold grounds of Barkerville.
Many stayed to work claims on the local rivers and streams, and some became rich.
3
Lytton during the gold rush period. Photo courtesy of Knebworth House Archives.1865
Lytton, BC
4
A model of a 'rocker box'21 October 2004
Taken at the Lytton Museum and Archives
5
At left is a scale model of a rocker box, used to extract gold from the gravel bars along the Fraser and Thompson Rivers.6
Gold scales used to weigh gold taken from the Thompson and Fraser Rivers at Lytton.17 October 2004
Taken at the Lytton Museum and Archives
7
The rough trail used by miners to move from Vancouver to the gold fields is still visible just off the present highway near Lytton.8
Section of the Gold Rush Trail, now overgrown and barely recognizable.29 August 2004
Off Highway 1, South of Boston Bar
9
Sign beside Trans Canada Highway pointing out access to Pack Trail of 1858, route of the gold rush.29 August 2004
On Highway 1, South of Boston Bar
10
With the miners came trade. This forced the government of the day to build a road into the interior of the province, with road houses for changing horse and oxen teams, bridges, and a real commercial route. |
 |
 |
 |