THE OVERLANDERS OF 1862
In the Spring of 1862, 140 people gathered at Fort Garry (Winnipeg) to begin the journey of a lifetime. They planned an overland trek across the Canadian Prairies and through the Rocky Mountains to reach the Cariboo gold fields of British Columbia. Once there, these brave pioneers would help transform the area from wilderness to settled homeland.
Food and supplies were loaded onto Red River carts for the June 1862 departure. By the end of July the Overlanders had just reached Edmonton and their food was nearly gone. The group pushed on until they reached Tete Jeune Cache, BC, late August.
There they split up into two parties with half the group continuing down the Fraser River to Barkerville. The other half made rough-hewn log rafts and trusted their lives and their fortunes to the unknown waters of the North Thompson River. The Overlanders reached this area in October where they formed the nucleus of the new community of Kamloops.
This statue commemorates this historic event by depicting Catherine and Augustus Schubert and one of their children. The day after their arrival, Catherine gave birth to her fourth child. Schubert Drive is named after this Overlander Family.
From the Plaque at the Statue