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The decade of the 1930's would be a volatile one - all for the wrong reasons. After a rush of moderate prosperity through the twenties a Great Depression converged upon the world including the Arrow Lakes. Cash flow virtually stopped, then, negativity was compounded by events such as the White Pine Lumber Co. mill in Nakusp burning down. The Carlson mill owners went bankrupt and upon being taken over by Charlie Howarth, again suffered the same fate. White Pine was rebuilt while at the same time Schaeffer Hitchcock poleyard (they had taken over from Lindsley) burned up.
Competition from the Okanagan, heavy freight rates, and a disappearing market all but wiped out orchardists on the Arrow Lakes. Care packages of fruit and vegetables were now being sent to folks on the prairies who were virtually starving to death.
Needles to say, by 1931, the SS Bonnington was taken out of service and tied permanently to pilings at the Nakusp Shipyard.
A few bright spots emerged from this devastating time. One was the reconstruction of the White Pine sawmill. Another had to be the slight resurgence of mining in the Lardeau. Among the most productive was the Meridian at Camborne. Being a gold producer, a metal always sought after under any conditions, its viability was guaranteed.
Harvesting poles, too, was a mainstay in the downturn, demand for which continued unchecked. Yards at Arrowhead, Nakusp and Wesley were fed mostly by individual loggers all along the lakes.
An incredible show of togetherness was displayed by veterans and Nakusp residents in 1932. Pooling their resources, labor and fund raising talent, this group of citizens managed to sponsor, finance and build one of the largest community halls in the Kootenay. A grand celebration attended by people from all areas made its opening monumental. In these ugly times everyone saw it as a great moral booster.

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SS Bonnington in the Late 20`s
1930`s
Arrow Lakes, BC

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Logs on the Waterfront
1930
Nakusp, British Columbia, Canada

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Halcyon Hot Springs
1930`s
Halcyon Hot Springs, BC

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Wesley Lumber Co.
1930
Wesley, BC - Lower Arrow Lakes

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Legion Opening
1932
Nakusp, British Columbia, Canada

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Legion Hall
1932
Nakusp, British Columbia, Canada