This sign of history deals predominantly with the city of Nelson but includes a mention of the Silvery Slocan and the Silvery Slocan Tour.
While you're there, take a stroll around the park and see the many other historical notes scattered throughout the park, as well as the artwork. Lakeside Park is
the park in Nelson, far and away the biggest, with the most to offer.
This sign must be at least nine years old, as the drawing in the bottom right corner is captioned "Nelson City Hall". Built in 1902 as the Post Office, it served in that capacity until 1957, and as the City Hall from 1960 to 2005, when the present city hall was completed. The building is now home to
Touchstones Nelson: Museum of Art and History.
In 1886, the Hall brothers of Colville, Washington discovered silver, copper, gold, and lead on Toad Mountain, south of Nelson. Several claims were staked including the famous Silver King mine. The Kootenay Lake landing used by the mines quickly developed into the town of Nelson.
Growing from a mining camp into a supply and distribution centre, Nelson offered hotels, stables, trade shops, and outfitters. Rail and water transport-ation links developed, connecting Nelson to the CPR line at Revelstoke, and the Inland Empire at Spokane. The city was incorporated in 1897.
Nelson's Cottonwood Falls (1896) and then the Bonnington Falls plant (1908) provided electricity for local mines, city street lights, and the city's Electric Tramway system. The logging industry expanded along with government, education and service sectors. Impressive buildings from the turn of the century continue to preserve a sense of place and are a source of community pride.
SILVERY SLOCAN HERITAGE TOUR
Silver outcroppings on Kootenay Lake were noted in 1844 by the Hudson's Bay Company, however prospecting did not begin until 1882. Rapid development of mines and the towns that supported them quickly followed. We invite you to discover the diversity of our celebrated mining history by following the Silvery Slocan Heritage Tour.