The Stagecoach
B.C. Express
The lure of gold in 1858 brought a huge influx of men to the interior of British Columbia. Along the tributaries of the Fraser River also brought the dilemma of how to transport supplies in and carry gold out.
In 1864 Francis J. Barnard, was awarded the government contract to
provide this service from Yale to Barkerville. A transportation mode, which originally started by foot and packhorse, progressed to stage coaches, and sleighs and then grew into an organized transportation company in Western Canada: the B.C. Express, or BX.
About 1874, with the completion of the CPR, B.C. Express opened their headquarters in Ashcroft. In 1911, they moved to a new location not far from the original location, the building still stands today.
The Railroad
The Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPR) was incorporated in 1881. Its original purpose was the construction of a transcontinental railway, a promise to British Columbia upon its entry into Confederation. The railway was completed in 1885 and connected Eastern Canada to British Columbia and played an important role in the development of Canada.
In 1885, the first CPR train arrived in Ashcroft changing the town forever. The town was bustling with excitement as 100s gathered in anticipation for it arrival.
The Sternwheelers
Steam powered sternwheelers made an appearance at the on set of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush in 1858 and continued to provide transportation of goods and people up and down the river until the 1920s.
The Automobiles
The first car went through Ashcroft in 1907 and soon after cars became more common, the B.C. Express, the stagecoach, went out of business. Featured in the mural, parked next to the train depot are two 1920s automobiles, and one about 1940s parked in town.
How Ashcroft Got It's Name
Ashcroft was first called St. Cloud by Sir Wm. VanHorn when pondering the dream of building a trans-continental railway. But the first men who opened businesses began calling the new town BARNES STATION. However when it came time to mark the new town on the map, the Canadian Surveyor General, called the town Ashcroft because the roadhouse (Ashcroft Manor) no longer retained its Post Office. This eliminated the problem of changing the name of the Post Office in Ottawa.
transcribed from sign
In 2016, Ashcroft had a population of 1,558 residents and was incorporated as a village in 1952. Ashcroft is situated on a flat bench above the Thompson River in the dry belt of the interior of southern British Columbia, about 90 km west of Kamloops.
Ashcroft was named after Ashcroft Manor, the estate of Clement and Henry Cornwall, who came from England in 1862. They were ranchers on a large scale who built a stopping house, in 1863, on their property along the Cariboo Road.
Heritage Place is a well maintained interpretive park decorated with murals, mosaics, artifacts and buildings representing the history of the region. Within the park are a series of short walking paths with interpretive signs marking each exhibit that documents the early days of the railway and mining industries.
The park is a wonderful place to visit while in Ashcroft with huge trees, shaded benches and picnic tables. Throughout the park are several murals and mosaics. When we were there the visitor center and washrooms were open. There is parking on both sides of the park. The park is approximately 2 acres in size, though it is long and narrow.