1
Steamboats on the Columbia: Part 2In 1893, the CPR began construction of a branch line of the railway to the head of the Upper Arrow Lake, which is part of the Columbia River system. The company wished to provide year-round transportation between the CPR mainline, and the rich mining districts of the Lardeau and the South Kootenay. The first run of the passenger train took place to a point north of Arrowhead in April of 1894, but flood waters of June 1894 took out several bridges and much of the roadbed, making it necessary to rebuild several kilometres of track. The branch line was finally completed in 1896.
2
Map of Southern portion of Revelstoke District.1997
Columbia River, British Columbia, Canada
3
Map of Southern portion of Revelstoke District, showing locations of Revelstoke, Arrowhead and Beaton.4
The November 9, 1895 issue of The Kootenay Mail announced that the CPR had definitely decided on the name 'Arrowhead' for their new townsite at the terminus of their Arrow Lakes branch line. Arrowhead quickly became the main trading centre for miners, loggers, mill workers and farmers living in the area. The first building constructed was the Lakeview Hotel on the main street that paralleled the railway. It was quickly followed by a general store, drug store, bank, and other stores. Two churches and a school were built and the Revelstoke Hospital Society opened a hospital at Arrowhead in 1905. Two large sawmills at Arrowhead employed over 500 men.5
Portion of Arrowhead.1905
Arrowhead, British Columbia, Canada
6
Portion of Arrowhead, 1905.7
Arrowhead remained for many years as a small but thriving community until the end of steamer traffic. In the 1960s, the remaining residents were relocated and the town was abandoned in preparation for the flooding caused by the construction of the Hugh Keenleyside Dam at Castlegar, B.C.8
S.S. Rossland at Arrowhead.1905
Arrowhead, British Columbia, Canada
9
S.S. Rossland at Arrowhead, 1905.10
In 1897, the CPR bought out the Columbia and Kootenay Steam Navigation Company and operated their fleet of steamboats as part of their transportation system. With smaller boats designed specifically for river travel, the company could provide larger lake boats to travel the Upper and Lower Arrow Lakes from Arrowhead to West Robson (near present-day Castlegar.)11
S.S. Rossland, Minto and Trail at Arrowhead.1899
Arrowhead, British Columbia, Canada
12
S.S. Rossland, Minto and Trail at Arrowhead, c. 1899.13
S.S. Minto and Rossland at dock at Arrowhead.1905
Arrowhead, British Columbia, Canada
14
S.S. Minto and Rossland at dock at Arrowhead, 1905. |
 |
 |
 |