1

The continuing evolution of the forest industry, especially on the Upper Arrow Lakes, into 1906, was spectacular. A second mill for Arrowhead called the Arrowhead Lumber Co. was completed and in operation, while at Comaplix the Bowman Lumber Co. literally constructed a new mill capable of cutting 100,000 board feet (30,480m) a day. Comaplix itself was growing but really relied upon bunkhouse - style accommodation for most of its East Indian workers. Arrowhead was quite different. Having hotels, stores, churches, a school and a hospital, it was taking on the appearance of a little city. Both towns had baseball teams and enjoyed socializing through dances, lodges, music, and church activities.

There seemingly was a huge setback when fire destroyed a good portion of the commercial area of Arrowhead in 1906 but that was taken in stride and new buildings erected immediately.

2

Not unlike many locations in BC, Arrowhead, being at the base of a mountain, offered scarce acreage on which to build a sawmill. Fred had noticed how the Big Bend Lumber co. was forced to put their mill mostly on pilings out in the bay. By moving further east, the Arrowhead Lumber Co. fared better but still required hundreds of pilings to complete the project.

3

ARROWHEAD LUMBER CO.
1904
Arrowhead, BC

4

Arrowhead
1905
Arrowhead, BC

Credits:
Tucker

5

The Bowman Lumber Co. mill at Comaplix was categorized as one of the most modern in the interior of BC. Having six boilers, all the mills components were able to be driven by steam power while a large dynamo provided electricity for the town as well as the mill. Nearby, Fish River Valley was marked as the chief supplier of wood for the operation.

6

BOWMAN LUMBER Co.
1906
Comaplix, BC

7

Big Cedars
Arrowhead, BC

8

Record Load of Logs
1906
Arrowhead, BC

9

Even from as far away as Halcyon, Fred could see smoke billowing above the town of Arrowhead. It was the 12th of July 1906 when a whole block of stores went up in flames. A near catastrophe occurred due to the fact that two cars of dynamite were left on the tracks below. Had these blown, the whole town and many of its people would have been obliterated. It was a severe setback that may have been less harsh had the partially installed hydrant system been completed.

10

Arrowhead 1906 Fire
1906
Arrowhead, BC

Credits:
E. Tucker

11

Front St. in Arrowhead was open for business again in a matter of months - even bigger and better. The Hume's store, Union Hotel, Reid and Young General Store, and the City Hotel were all replaced with designs and size both superior to the original structures. The owners had good reason to have faith in the town considering the commercial and industrial strength that was evident in the surrounding area.

12

Arrowhead Rebuilt
1906
Arrowhead, BC

Credits:
E. Tucker