1

Beside the strong commercialism progressing throughout Nakusp and the Upper Lake, a lighter and less formal way of life was being embraced by entrepreneurs and ordinary folk. The facts are that men were the ones employed while women generally were content to cook, raise the children and keep things tidy. Given that, it is also true that going to church, having Sunday dinners, attending concerts and enjoying picnics and excursions were part of the social fabric. Ball games and special holidays were in the same realm. For residents of the Upper Arrow Lake a unique form of social, and certainly a healthy form of pleasure, was visiting the area hot springs.

2

Amidst all the industrial activity, there were people whose purpose was to provide rest and relaxation in a world that seemed preoccupied with production. Fred jumped off the Minto with dozens of other visitors to see St. Leon, situated at the mouth of Halfway Creek. In fact, it was Mike Grady's dream come true. After locating and selling the Standard Mine in the Slocan, Mike had the money to start his hot springs resort. There were complications with the water but Mike thought these could be overcome and he had his grand opening in 1902.

3

St. Leon Hotel/Hot Springs
1904
Halfway Creek, Upper Arrow Lakes

4

Choosing to drop the "O" from O'Grady, Mike admitted to being lucky in finding the Standard Mine. High in the mountains above Silverton, Mike found the silver lead float after being guided there by some Arrow Lakes natives. By taking on partners to assemble a larger claim, he staked the spot and started developing it in 1894. Eventually, Mike sold his share of the Standard giving him thousands of dollars to spend on his dream spa.

5

Grady Portrait

6

A Picnic at the sandy point on the west side of the bay at Nakusp, was not an invitation to dress in casual clothes back at the turn of the century. Suits, ties, long dresses and matching hats were mandatory. Children too were required to don their best clothes. This though did not hamper the occasion's efforts to escape the normal routine; also it can be stated that children were just as rambunctious as usual, oblivious to the attire they were told to respect.

7

Picnic
circa 1900
Point, Nakusp, BC

8

There was a certain amount of vanity involved in women's dress at the turn of the century. Men too went to great lengths in an effort to blend in with the styles of the day. It was true that in the workday world attire was usually plain and practical, but on Sundays, holidays and special occasions, the fancy hats, umbrellas, full skirts for women and vests and ties for men was an opportunity to be vain in a most acceptable way.

9

Ladies Train
Circa 1900
Nakusp, Waterfront

10

Excursions to the Halcyon Hot Springs spa, a favorite destination, was made more accessible by the lake boats. Regular stops were scheduled for Halcyon but not St. Leon. It is believed that CPR money was involved in the Halcyon business venture so some competition resulted with regards to Mike Grady's spa. In conjunction with the steamers, there were also rides to both springs by way of tugs alone or tugs with barges on which a large group could be accommodated.

11

Minto at Halcyon
Circa 1904
Halcyon Hot Springs, BC

Credits:
C. Soules