1

By 1898 the town of Nakusp showed considerable growth, both industrially and commercially. The Leland Hotel had two large additions added in 1897 and in the same year the Grand - on the right - completed additional floors and frontage to accommodate the large crews involved in rail expansion and boat-building. The term, port, could honestly be applied to Nakusp at this time.

2

Nakusp waterfront
1 January 1898
Nakusp, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Arrow Lakes Historical Society

3

This view clearly shows the development of the Grand Hotel, Genelle's busy sawmill and the right-away of the Nakusp and Slocan Railway cutting across the distant hill on its way to the Sandon mines.

4

Genelle Sawmill
1 January 1898
Nakusp, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Arrow Lakes Historical Society

5

The longevity of the SS Minto makes it a natural vehicle by which one can relate the history of the Arrow Lakes. Using artistic license our story begins in 1898, the birth date of this sternwheeler, and proceeds through the years using the "eyes" of a phantom passenger named Fred who rides her bow. By making tours around the ship and sorties ashore, a chronological story reveals changes in all aspects of the settlements on the Arrow Lakes until the boat's demise in 1968.

6

SS Minto at Nakusp
Circa 1900
Nakusp, British Columbia, Canada

7

The first journey started from Robson, the most southern port for the Arrow Lakes steamers. Connection with the Columbia & Western Railway was made here, thus allowing passengers and freight to be transported to all points on the lake some 120 miles (193.1 km) in distance to Arrowhead. The waterway was not unlike a very wide river at first and soon Fred came upon the new Yale Columbia mill at Wesley. The mill owed its existence chiefly to the demand for lumber and timbers required to complete the C&W Railway from the Arrow Lakes to Midway.

8

The Yale Columbia Lumber Company mill at Wesley.
1 January 1898
Wesley, BC - Lower Arrow Lakes

Credits:
Arrow Lakes Historical Society

9

Lower Arrow Lake, extending from Robson to just below Burton, was at this time, an unsettled body of water bounded by the Monashee Mountains on the west and the Selkirks to the east. Locations named mark the extent of civilization in this area in 1898.

10

Lower Arrow Lake in 1898
1 January 1898
Lower Arrow Lake

Credits:
Arrow Lake Historical Society

11

Passing Shields, a railway camp, Fred witnessed freshly cut timber where a great crew of men had slashed right-away for the C&W extension. Soon one could see the outline of a marvelous rock bridge high on the hill. One of Nature's wonders, the Brooklyn Bridge rests upon Bulldog Mountain quite visible from the lake. The Bridge, at an estimated 60' wide (18.28m) by 100' high (30.48m), is the third largest in North America and being composed of pink granite is a very rare geological item.

12

Brooklyn Bridge
1 January 1898
Lower Arrow Lake

Credits:
Arrow Lakes Historical Society

13

There was no greater excitement on the lake in 1898 than at the newest town of Brooklyn. Being a town that had at least 14 saloons, fights every night and even murders made it unique in relation to all other settlements. A port for receiving materials for the C&W Railway construction and a playground for the laborers gave it more prominence than it deserved.

14

Brooklyn, BC
1 January 1898
Lower Arrow Lake

Credits:
Arrow Lakes Historical Society