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Anyox - The Town that Got Lost

June 15-16, 2024   $750.00 per person two days and one night (or contact us for a custom tour - 4 people min), august 3-4, 2024   $750.00 per person two days and one night (or contact us for a custom tour).

Anyox was copper mining town situated at sea level, 145 km north of Prince Rupert near the head of Observatory Inlet. It was explored and brought into production in 1914 by Granby Consolidated Mining, Smelting and Power Co., Ltd. They created a large, modern and self-sufficient company town that was built around the Hidden Creek Mine. The town reached a population of over 2500 making it one of BC’s largest towns for that time. This remote town had electricity, sewer systems, hot and cold running water and all amenities a town could need. These included a movie theater, Bank of Commerce, hospital, tennis courts, schools , churches, store, hotel and even a golf course. Today the town is privately owned with the owners looking at restoring the Anyox Dam and start providing electricity.

We have a camp, full kitchen, generators and 30 rooms that we can access to provide accommodation for our guests to overnight in a true ghost town. We barged over a crew cab pickup truck and have access to three ATV’s to tour this untouched site. Contact us to organize your own custom trip to this exclusive ghost town.

Tour Highlights

• Red Light District
• General Store
• Concentrator
• Coking Plant
• and much more!

Alice Arm - Home of the Dolly Varden Silver Mine

Alice Arm - Home of the Dolly Varden Silver Mine The early 1900 silver mining town of Alice Arm was home to the Dolly Varden Silver Mine and railway. The town flourished in the 1915-40 period when Silver mining and exploration was at its peak. The town had many shops and businesses catering to the mining crews but once the mining stopped and the railway was shut down the town went into a sleepy existence. Today it is home to people with vacation homes and cabins that line the three main streets. A few remnants from the past still remain and are scattered throughout the town. The 1922 schoolhouse still stands, plus the bakery and post office and many artifacts from the silver mining days. Alice Arm still buzzes with hopes of finding the next big silver “find” as exploration crews still scour the valley in the summer. We have exclusive access to the “Alice Arm Lodge” that can accommodate groups of 6-8 people at a time plus the the ability to house people in a variety of other cabins. We also utilize local residents to tour the town and provide that authentic experience.   

Contact us to organize your own exclusive tour to this remote Northern BC Ghost Town.

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Abandoned British Columbia: Ghost Towns and Forgotten Buildings

British Columbia is full of abandoned places. In the remote and rugged mountains of the interior, former mining boom towns have been left to slowly be taken over by nature, many disappearing completely at the hands of time and the elements. In the forgotten corners of British Columbia’s most populous cities, huge medical complexes sit empty and obsolete, dust drifting down their silent hallways. These are the ghosts of bygone eras; places that remind us of our impermanence and whisper to us from the past.

Some of British Columbia ‘s abandoned places can be accessed by a city bus – others require a four-wheel drive vehicle and careful planning. All have something unique to offer curious adventure lovers, from old mining artifacts to ghostly apparitions. With Halloween just around the corner, we thought we would put together a list of our favourite, and creepiest, abandoned places in British Columbia .

Located on the shores of a remote inlet north of Prince Rupert, this town was built to house employees of a nearby molybdenum mine and their families. A shopping mall, swimming pool, bowling alley, pub and more sought to provide big-city amenities for this community of just over 1,000. But, with the crash of molybdenum prices, the town was abandoned just 18 months after it was built.

What makes this ghost town unique is that it has been preserved over the years – most of Kitsault looks just like it did when people were living there (minus the people), making for a surreal visit. Be advised that Kitsault is privately owned, and tourists are not encouraged to visit the ghost town.

Parkhurst  

This once thriving logging community sits on the north shore of Green Lake in Whistler. The ghost town was abandoned in the 1960s, and its buildings, vehicles and machinery have become intertwined with surrounding forest – trees grow around, on top of and through the remains of the town, creating a surreal co-mingling of natural and man-made objects.

When the sun begins to set and the fog rolls in, you’ll feel like you have stepped into a parallel reality. This is one of the easiest-to-access and most scenic ghost towns in British Columbia.

– Photo courtesy of Art of Living by Summit Lodge

Phoenix  

– Phoenix BC around 1912 – Photo courtesy of the Boundary Historical Society.

Little remains of what was once one of British Columbia’s most explosive boom-towns. Dubbed “the highest city in Canada,” Phoenix once had 20 hotels, a brewery, opera house and a hockey team that challenged for the Stanley Cup. This raucous city was a place of dreams, fortunes and debauchery, but the end of WWI saw a sharp decline in copper prices, bringing an abrupt end to Phoenix’s short-lived golden age.

Visitors to the Phoenix townsite can explore the old cemetery, where many of the tombstones show the date 1918 – returning soldiers brought an influenza epidemic to the isolated mountain town. The site of the town itself is now an abandoned open-pit mine. If you listen closely, you may still be able to hear the echoes of Phoenix’s glorious heyday.

– Phoenix BC around 1912 – Photo courtesy of the BC Archives

– Phoenix BC around 1912 – Photo courtesy of the BC Archives  

Riverview Hospital

Constructed during the 1910s and formerly known as Essondale, this abandoned psychiatric hospital is located not far from Backroad Mapbooks ‘ headquarters in Coquitlam, BC, and is straight out of your favourite Halloween horror movie. In fact, it may have even been filmed there – the hospital’s unsettling appearance makes it a popular shooting location.

Massive turn-of-the-century hospital wards, complete with caged verandas and staircases, sit upon the 400 hectare (1,000 ac) grounds. There are even underground tunnels that connect many of the buildings. Stories of paranormal activity are common here – we wouldn’t recommend this one for the faint of heart.

Video by ayjaey

Tranquille Sanitorium

Tranquille Sanatorium, Canada (Sunken Garden) | Image via pbase.com

Originally built as a tuberculosis treatment centre in 1907, this facility was converted to a psychiatric hospital in the 1950s, then abandoned in the 1980s. Orbs of light, shadowy figures, unexplained noises and more have been reported over the years at this abandoned facility just outside of Kamloops. Just like Riverview, there are underground tunnels that connect the various buildings here – you can even go on a tour of the tunnels for an extra creepy Halloween adventure.  

Stave Falls Powerhouse  

– Stave Lake Powerhouse – Image Courtesy of BC Hydro  

According to the Vancouver Paranormal Society, the Stave Falls Powerhouse is the most haunted place in the lower mainland. Constructed in the early 1900s, the Powerhouse is reported to have been the site of a number of deaths over the years, and some of the deceased have apparently refused to move on.

While it is known for paranormal activity, the Powerhouse is also home to a not-so-creepy visitor centre and museum, including interactive displays and a Tesla coil electricity demonstration.

You can find your way to these sites and many more with the help of our BC Backroad Mapbooks and BC GPS Maps ! Whether you’re chasing ghosts, historic sites or scenic lookouts, we wish you the best of luck!

Visiting Sandon, a Cool Ghost Town in British Columbia

By: Author Aly Smalls

Posted on Published: March 7, 2019  - Last updated: December 20, 2020

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If you’re a history buff, interested in abandoned buildings or love taking photos of old buildings, this ghost town in Canada should be on your bucket list.

There’s a ghost town in Sandon, British Columbia that was once a thriving mining community. At one point it was the largest community in the Kootenay Rockies.

If you’re travelling anywhere in this region during the summer, make sure Sandon is on your list of places to explore.

Sandon is located about 1.5 hours north of Nelson, BC , just off of Highway 6 and Slocan Lake. Plan to spend 1 to 2 hours when visiting Sandon. If you’re in a rush, you could likely cover it in about 30 minutes.

Or if you prefer to take your time, take lots of photos and spend some time in the museum, you could easily spend upwards of 2.5 hours.

Keep reading to find out what’s left of this almost abandoned town, some photos of Sandon and what else you should visit if you’re in the area.

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means I may make a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As always, all opinions are my own.

What’s left of Sandon Ghost Town Today

At its peak in 1898, it was home to 3 breweries, 29 hotels, 3 churches and 85 brothels!

After a fire in the early 1900s and two major floods that later followed, much of the town was burned down and washed away.

Now, there are less than a handful of people who call this place home. The good news is that many old buildings remain for visitors to wander and explore.

Visiting this ghost town is an incredible glimpse into Canada’s history. You’re transported back in time as you walk passed the old fire hall and an abandoned building that was once a popular brothel.

According to Ghosttownpix.com :

Sandon was renowned as a rollicking community of wild-eyed silver-seeking prospectors: a town where fortunes were gained in a week and then lost overnight, and where gambling and ladies of the night routinely dominated the night life. Hal Wright, quoted on GhostTownPix.com

While there’s a certain charm to this Canadian ghost town, don’t discount the creepy vibes that this place projects. Wandering by boarded up houses makes you wonder about its haunted past.

Sandon is a great stop if you’re visiting the west Kootenay region of the Canadian Rockies.

You might also like: The Best Spots to Explore in the Kootenay Rockies

A non profit society has restored several of the old buildings here so that visitors can learn and enjoy the history of this ghost town.

Sandon is located off Highway 6 near New Denver, BC. It’s free to walk around and visit the fire hall, the old abandoned busses, abandoned buildings and tour the operational hydro electric station.

Fun fact: the hydro station is western Canada’s oldest continuously operating plant.

During our visit to Sandon, there had been a powerful thunder storm the night before. While much of the power in surrounding areas was knocked out for several hours, Sandon was fully operational.

A true testament of the power this hydro station still produces today!

There’s also a museum on site that covers the entire history of the ghost town and is well worth the small admission fee.

Related Post: An Epic Farm Tourism Road Trip in Alberta

You’ll find a collection of vintage trolley buses that were once used in many Canadian cities. There’s a great write up about the history of these public transit buses on the museum’s website .

Another great historic gem is the outdoor display of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s steam train. This locomotive is massive and getting up close and personal with it is quite the experience.

What’s really cool is that visitors can ring the bell from the train!

The fire hall has been restored and is now a small souvenir and antique shop.

To the right of the fire hall is a group camping area if you’re looking for a unique place to camp in British Columbia.

The lush valley in which this beautiful ghost town lies also provides a source of fresh drinking water. If you visit, you should absolutely find the outdoor tap that pulls water directly from the glacier fed river on site.

Bring you water bottle, fill up and enjoy some of the freshest water you’ve ever tasted!

Budget about two hours to visit the area. That will allow you enough time to walk around and take photos, get a tour of the hydro plant and spend some time at the museum.

Want more ghost towns in BC? Kootenay Rockies Tourism has an entire list of all the abandoned communities you can visit.

Where to Stay if You Visit Sandon Ghost Town

New denver, bc.

The closest community is New Denver, BC. There’s an adorable little chalet in the country you can rent called Cottage In the Hills .

Whether you’re staying in town or not, be sure to stop for lunch in New Denver at the Apple Tree Sandwich Shop. Make sure you’re hungry for some giant homemade sandwiches on fresh baked bread. And grab a seat in the cute outdoor garden area.

If you’re willing to travel a little further, Nakusp is less than an hour away and is an adorable small town right on the lake. The Lodge at Arrow Lakes is a great place for an overnight stay.

It’s only a few minutes to walk to the lake shore. Here you’ll find a beautiful public beach for swimming and a great main street and downtown.

Nakusp is also home to some great hot springs. You can visit the Halcyon Hot Springs which overlook Upper Arrow Lake and provides soaring views of the Monashee Mountains.

Or for the more adventurous, try finding the Halfway Hot Springs . These are closest natural hot springs to Nakusp.

Traveling around British Columbia? You might be interested in more posts like:

Hippies, Hikes and Hot Springs: 17 Things to Do in Nelson, British Columbia

3 Natural Hot Springs in BC that you can visit in one road trip

Kelowna to Osoyoos: the Ultimate Okanagan Road Trip

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Sunday 14th of April 2019

So cool, I love ghost towns. I wanted to visit a few in Alberta and Saskatchewan this summer but perhaps a trip to BC is in order. Great post Alyssa!

Thanks for reading Crystal! Apparently there are quite a few more in the Kootenays as well, so it sounds like you could hit a few on your trip this summer :) I'm definitely going to be exploring some around Alberta this summer too!

Gemma Taylor

Tuesday 19th of March 2019

Wow! I have never heard of Sandon until now. I love the Slocan Valley area so this ghost town is definitely going on my to-do list next time I return. I find exploring ghost towns so fascinating. Also....85 brothels?! The mind boggles.

Definitely check it out next time you're in the area! This place has a lot of interesting history to say the least, haha. They hire fantastic University summer students who work at the museum, and they're loaded with all kinds of great stories from the past, so plan some time for a chat if you stop in. Enjoy :)

Jeannie Watson

Thursday 7th of March 2019

Great post Alyssa! Love the inner B.C. history and all it offers. Sandon sounds intriguing!

Current Travel Info

Things To Do

• Granite Creek Ghost Town

A look back at history

Back in 1907, the town of Granite Creek burned to the ground. Fast forward about 100 years to when Bob Sterne and his wife Diane were exploring the area around their cabin. They found an overgrown cemetery and decided to gather some volunteers and clean it up. This led to the formation of the Granite Creek Preservation Society and the creation of the Granite Creek Ghost Town self-guided tour. Now you can visit the town that was almost forgotten and now survives through legend.

View Granite Creek Location Map

Photo by George Dawson of Granite Creek area before the fire. 1888

Self-Guided Walking Tour

You begin your walking tour at the cairn. You’ll find tour maps in the mailbox beside the cairn that shows the location of the 10 interpretive signs. It also shows where original buildings once stood and where to find the ruins. The cemetery here has been restored thanks to the Society. The self-guided tour is about three city blocks long and gives information on the area’s history.

Gold at Granite Creek

Imagine what it was like back in 1885 when John Chance found gold in Granite Creek. It didn’t take long before people rushed to the area seeking their own fortunes. In the late 1880s, Granite Creek was the third largest town in BC, following behind Victoria and New Westminster. About 2,000 people called Granite Creek home. Many were Chinese Canadians and American immigrants. Some of the ancestors of those founding pioneers still live in the area. Granite Creek is credited for opening up the area and creating interest in the Similkameen.

While most of the buildings are long gone, the Granite Creek Preservation Society continues to preserve the site and Granite Creek’s history. Old maps of the area are on their website, as well as other historical information.

Drop into the Princeton Visitor Centre for more information and directions on finding Granite Creek Ghost Town.

For more information, here’s an interview with Bob and Diane Sterne, who re-discovered Granite Creek and helped found the Granite Creek Preservation Society.

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6 B.C. Ghost Towns Worth a Detour on Your Next Road Trip

These six B.C. ghost towns are alive with the province’s history

It’s no secret that B.C.’s natural beauty can’t be beat, but for tourists in search of history and lore, it isn’t always the first destination that jumps to mind. Yet it only takes a little digging to discover the province’s vibrant past and the multitude of places you can go to see it with your own eyes. Pay a visit to one of these ghost towns on your next road trip to learn some of the wild stories of the people who shaped B.C. 

Barkerville

Barkerville may just be the liveliest ghost town in the province. This preserved gold rush town is the largest historical site in western North America and among the best maintained. The town thrived during the gold rush, but today its only residents are actors who enthusiastically re-enact scenes from its golden days. Be sure to visit their exotic Chinatown, which has one of the largest collections of Chinese buildings in North America from that era. 

B.C.’s Southern Selkirk Mountains were the epicenter of a massive mining boom, but after the short-lived prosperity expired, the number of towns abandoned was so high that the area was dubbed the “Valley of the Ghosts.” The heart of the valley was the wild town of Sandon . Sandon’s success lay in its silver-lead ore deposits, and soon grew to host hotels, saloons, theatres, opera houses, breweries and an apparently booming red-light district. Today it attracts over 60,000 visitors a year who come to see its museum, preserved buildings and artifacts from the town. 

Fort Steele

Fort Steele was yet another boom town that found itself nearly abandoned with the decline of the gold rush. As some towns disappeared, Fort Steele was granted “heritage town” status by the Provincial Government. You can check out their working blacksmith, leather worker and dressmaker, or catch a show at the Wildhorse Theatre. From May to October they run a daily Gossip Tour where visitors can get the dirt on some of the town’s most colourful former residents.       

Fort St. James

This restored Hudson’s Bay Company post can be found on the shores of Stuart Lake, just a little north of Vanderhoof. Fort St. James National Historic Site has the largest collection of original Fur Trade era buildings in Canada and provides visitors with a glimpse into the life of a fur trader. The town has been restored to how it looked in 1896, and contains a large collection of fur pelts from the era. You can check their Facebook to keep up to date on the many special events and activities they offer.

Hat Creek Ranch

Hat Creek Ranch was a stop along the way for many hopeful miners on the Cariboo Trail. It functioned as a roadhouse and ranch, and the original roadhouse building filled with objects from the period still stands. You can pay a visit to the McLean Cabin, the former home of some of B.C.’s most cold-blooded outlaws, the McLean Brothers. They also offer guided trail rides (or pony rides for children under 10) in the scenic surrounding hills. 

Yale Historic Site

Located along the Fraser River, Yale was once said to be the largest city north of San Francisco and west of Chicago. It was the jumping off point for paddlewheel steamers, and home to 30,000 gold miners. You can stop by their “living history” tent city for an authentic look at how those miners might have lived. Their pioneer cemetery has headstones from 1863 until present day, including some of Yale’s most interesting characters. 

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Explore Magazine

10 British Columbia Ghost Towns Forgotten By Time

Michaela Ludwig

October 31, 2015

   Ghost towns are eerie, spine-tingling attractions to explore. Whether abroad or in our own backyard, something about abandonment both scares and fascinates us. With a pioneering past, British Columbia’s boom and bust towns have left us with more than a few (mostly) abandoned ghost towns.   

1. Copper Mountain

Location :  49.325000 degrees north, 120.53889 degrees west

Copper Mountain was an important copper-mining company town in the Similkameen Country of B.C.’s southern interior, just south of Princeton.

In 1884, trapper James Jameson discovered copper ore while he was out hunting deer. This discovery led to miners flooding the area, giving rise to the town of Copper Mountain. The first camps located in the area were “Volcanic” Brown’s Camp and E. Voight’s Camp. These two camps merged to form the Granby Company’s Copper Mountain operation. Copper Mountain mining operation lasted over half a century, but falling copper prices led to a permanent shut down in 1958 and the town was abandoned shortly after.

2. Blakeburn

Location :  49.48167 degrees north, 120.74028 degrees west

Blakeburn, also known as the Blakeburn Site, is an abandoned former coal mine and coal-mining town. It sits across the Tulameen River from the surviving coal-mining hamlet in the area, Coalmont, which was the railhead for the Blakeburn Mine Railway and connected it to Kettle Valley Railway.

The town was named around 1923 for, and by, the president of Coalmont Collieries Ltd., William John “Blake” Wilson, with his employer in Vancouver, Patrick Burns of P. Burns & Co. meat packers and dealers, being the vice president and other major shareholder.

3. Bralorne and Bradian

Location :  50.76667 degrees north, 122.81667 degrees west

Bralorne is a historic underground gold mining community in the Bridge River District, about 80 miles west of Lillooet.

Gold has been the central element in the area’s history going back to the 1858 to 1860 Fraser River Gold Rush. Miners flocked to the Cayoosh and Bridge River areas looking for deposits and they found it in the Bridge River area. Though called the Bridge River Gold Rush, the early period saw only 40 residents documented on the 1890 census.

Over the years, the Bralorne Mine and the other Bridge River mines were a steady fixture in the gold mining industry. But it wasn’t until the Great Depression that the mines really took off, when men and investment ramped up production. The district was one of the few bright lights in the B.C. economy during the Depression – in a seven-year period in the 1930s, the mines of the Bridge River produced $370 million in gold.

In 1931, Austin C. Taylor and associates acquired Bralorne property and financed construction of a 100-ton mill. The Bralorne Mine operated from March 1932 until 1971. In that time, three million ounces of gold were refined. From this wealth came a complete town, with schools, churches, a post office, houses, recreation halls and hunting lodges. The mines also needed support buildings, including powerhouses, boiler houses, blacksmith shops, machine shops and so on. Over 100 miles of underground tunnels were dug in the years of operation.

For many years after the mines were shut down, Bralorne sat abandoned and forgotten. But since 2002, rising gold prices have led to new exploration of the area and plans for reopening the Bralorne Mine and nearby Pioneer Mine.

In 2014, a realtor put Bralorne’s “third townsite,” known as Bradian, up for sale for $1 million. It’s a ghost town with about 20 dwellings, last occupied in the 1970s.   

Location :  49.050 degrees north, 123.883 degrees west

The settlement known as Granby was formerly located south of Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island.  It was a planned industrial town established by the Granby Consolidated Mining, Smelting and Power Company in 1918 to exploit the Douglas coal seam. The company built a model town that included 50 houses of various sizes with modern water, power and sewer systems, on paved, tree-lined streets with sidewalks and boulevards. The town, which covered 100 acres, also had a department store and a theatre.

In 1932, the Granby mine ceased operation because the coal seam gave out, as well as the rising popularity of oil, the dangerous conditions of the mine and the Depression. In March 1936, what remained of the town was auctioned off and most of it removed.

The site is now the current location of Cassidy, a small rural community with a population just greater than one thousand residents.    

Location :  59°17′20″N 129°50′45″W

Cassiar was a small, company-owned, asbestos mining town located in the Cassiar Mountains of northern B.C., north of Dease Lake. After 40 years of operations, starting in 1952, the mine was unexpectedly forced to close in 1992. Most of the contents of the town, including a few houses, were sold off and trucked away. Most of the houses, however, were bulldozed and burned.

The mill was briefly reactivated in 1999 by Cassiar Chrysotile Inc., which had a reclamation permit to clean up the site. About 11,000 tons of asbestos was exported before the mill burned down on Christmas Day in 2000.

The town, which had a population of 1,500 in its heyday, had two schools, two churches, a small hospital, a theatre, a swimming pool, a recreation centre and a hockey rink. The four apartment blocks at the east end of the town are operational for ongoing site reclamation work.

6. Clayburn

Location :  49.083 degrees north, 122.267 degrees west

Clayburn is located at the foot of the Sumas Mountain in Abbotsford and was designated for conservation as a Heritage Site in 1996. Clayburn was the first company town in B.C., built by the Clayburn Company to provide employee housing and services. It supported three stores, a bank, a school and a church.

The discovery of high-grade clay throughout Sumas Mountain, and the demand for bricks, brought Clayburn into being. The village and the brick plant were built more than a century ago, in 1905. Because of fall off in demand, the brick plant, after operating for a quarter of a century, was dismantled in 1931.

Some of the original Clayburn structures still stand today and are part of the heritage site.

7. Fort Shepherd

Location:  Click here .

Fort Shepherd is the site of a former Hudson’s Bay Company fort, located in the West Kootenay region. The fort was situated on the west side of the Columbia River, across from the mouth of the Pend Oreille River, southwest of Trail.

It was originally called Fort Pend Oreille, after the river. In 1859, the post was renamed in honour of their company governor, who had died that year.

The Oregon Boundary Treaty of 1846 had set the border at 49 degrees north latitude. After 10 years of operating Fort Colvile on U.S. soil, the Hudson’s Bay Company, feeling the pain of US taxes, decided to relocate to Canada. Angus MacDonald established Fort Pend Oreille and he thought this location was just north of the border, but could not be sure until it was surveyed in 1860. The company had planned to close Fort Colvile. But, after discovering that the gravely terrain at the new post was not conducive to agriculture, they continued to operate the southern fort for another 15 years, just to produce the vegetables and hay they needed up north.

Fort Pend Oreille was comprised of several log buildings on the left bank of a tiny creek, where the ground was wider upstream from the Pend Oreille. The buildings included a store, two warehouses, barracks for employees and a cabin to serve as quarters for the factor and his officers. They were all constructed of squared, hand-hewn logs, well-notched and tightly fitted at the corners. The buildings that were occupied had double-hung glass windows, stone chimneys and were neatly arranged around an open area, much like a parade ground at a military fort. The Americans referred to the company by its initials, HBC, which, they mockingly said, stood for “Here Before Christ.”

8. Kitsault

Location :  55.45694 degrees north, 129.47667 degrees west

Kitsault is an unincorporated settlement on the north coast of B.C., at the head of Alice Arm, Observatory Inlet and at the mouth of the Kitsault River.

Mining came to the remote valley with the Dolly Varden mine in 1918. Much of the area had been explored for minerals, as Anyox and Stewart had mining booms. Alfred Taylor started the mine with the help of Chicago money. Bunkhouses, stores and a 10-mile-long railway were built to access the silver ore. The mine operated for only three years until it was held up in litigation. Taylor eventually won the mine and he went on to build the Lions Gate Bridge.

The later town of Kitsault  was established in 1979 as the home community to a molybdenum mine run by the Phelps Dodge corporation of the US. The community was designed for 1,200 residents and included a shopping mall, restaurant, swimming pool and bowling alley. In 1982, however, prices for molybdenum crashed and the entire community was evacuated after just 18 months of residence.

In 2004, Indian-American businessman Krishnan Suthanthiran bought the ghost town for $5.7 million.

In an effort to revitalize the ghost town, Kitsault has been proposed as a location for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal site for the export of natural gas from northwestern B.C. LNG pipeline routing to Kitsault has been proposed.

Location :  49.100 degrees north, 118.583 degrees west

Phoenix is a ghost town in the Boundary Country of B.C., 11 kilometres east of Greenwood. Once called the highest city in Canada by its citizens (4,633 feet above sea level) it was a booming copper mining community from the late 1890s until 1919. In its heyday, it was home to 1,000 citizens and had an opera house, 20 hotels, a brewery and its own city hall. Phoenix’s magistrate, Judge Willie Williams, who served there from 1897 until 1913, became famous for his booming declaration, “I am the highest judge, in the highest court, in the highest city in Canada.”

In 1911, Phoenix’s hockey team won the provincial championship and asked for the right to compete for the Stanley Cup, but it was too late to qualify.

The Granby Consolidated Mining, Smelting and Power Company operated the Phoenix Mine, a copper mine that produced 13,678,901 tons of ore before operations ceased on June 14, 1919.

When the First World War ended in 1918, the price of copper dropped dramatically and Phoenix, which was completely reliant on its one industry, began to die. When the last ore was shipped out in 1919, thousands exited soon after. Many left their homes and belongings, making Phoenix the largest ghost town Canada had ever seen.

Location :  49.267 degrees north, 121.233 degrees west

Sunshine Valley, formerly named Tashme, is an unincorporated settlement and former Japanese Canadian internment camp on the Crowsnest Highway between of the town of Hope and the entrance to Manning Park in the Cascade Mountains. Located just outside the 100-mile quarantine zone from which all Japanese Canadians were removed during the Second World War, it was a large camp housing 2,400 people on the site of a former Depression-era Relief Workers’ Camp. Men housed in the camp were employed in the construction of the highway during the war. After the war, the site was sold off and has continued in existence in several different forms.

In Hope, there is a Tashme Friendship Garden in memory of the camp and its residents.   

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Explore the ghost towns of the Kootenay Rockies – discover the history and tragedies of days gone by. Some towns are quite secluded and forgotten, others feature buildings which have been restored and are open to visitors.

Albert Canyon (east of Revelstoke): Located a short distance south of the Canyon Hot Springs. Throughout the years of steam, Albert Canyon was a “pusher” station, with a small roundhouse built in 1916. There was also a CPR agent, operators and a section gang. Nothing now remains of Albert Canyon as it once was.

Baynes Lake (40 km south of Fernie): Named after Mr. Baynes who had a small shack near the lake in 1902, when the Great Northern Railroad was built, this town once contained a Lumber Company mill, a hotel, hardware store, schools, newspaper company, nursery, 2 greenhouses, a land office and a clubhouse. The mill ceased operation in 1925; homes were boarded up with only a small community store left today to serve scattered settlers.

Beaton, Old Beaton, Arrow Park, Arrowhead, Comaplix, Renata : Before the flooding of the Arrow Lakes valley during the 1960s, after the construction of the Hugh Keenleyside Dam, several low-lying communities were physically moved to higher ground. During fall and winter low water levels show evidence of these locations.

Brooklyn (Renata Natural Bridge) – (Castlegar): Sixteen kilometres up river from the Hugh Keenleyside Dam, on bulldog Mountain; accessible only by boat. A trail leads up a bank to what is possibly Canada’s largest natural rock bridge. Ask local marinas for directions. The erosion sculpture is 20 m high and 43 m long, spans a cascading brook among towering cliffs some 275 m above the Lower Arrow Lake and site of early boomtown of Brooklyn – now just a field.

Bull River (20 km south of Fort Steele): The origins of Fort Steele can be traced back to the small settlement of Galbraith Ferry born during the 1864 Kootenay Gold Rush. Today, over 60 restored or reconstructed homes and buildings are waiting to take visitors back to yesteryear at Fort Steele Heritage Town.

Cascade (near Christina Lake): As the railway approached Christina Lake, it curved along the bluffs and gradually angled to lake level where it crossed the Kettle River on a bridge 304 m (1,000 ft) long. Construction headquarters for Christina Lake was established at the boom town of Cascade City. This land was owned by Aaron Chandler, an American from North Dakota and he began selling lots to businessmen who foresaw the coming of the railroad and Cascade sprang into existence with stores, hotels and livery stables. In 1899, the first locomotive chugged over the Kettle River Bridge into Cascade City. Shortly after, the city was devastated by fire. Now only the graveyard remains and it is hard to find.

Coal Creek (Fernie): Follow the Coal Creek Heritage Trail – it’s an easy to moderate seven kilometre (4mi) trail that begins at the gazebo by the Fernie Aquatic Centre. The trail follows an abandoned railway line and road grade to the ghost town of Coal Creek, a once bustling mining community of  up to 1,000 residents form 1898 to 1958.  Walk, jog or mountain bike this trail and enjoy the splendor of nature while discovering the rich heritage of the area.  All that remains of the townsite are ruins to explore, as many of the buildings were either burned down in a fire or moved to Fernie after the Coal Creek mine shut down. For the full story, visit the Fernie Museum . Cody (near Sandon): Two kilometres from Sandon lies the ghost town of Cody, an 1890s era village of over 150 residents, hotels, businesses and “end of the line” for the Kaslo & Slocan Railway. Today, the remains of a concentrator mill and the old K&S Railway stationhouse mark the site of the once-thriving community.

Corbin (near Sparwood): The coal town of Corbin was once the centre of a huge strip mining operation known as “The Big Showing”. Remains can be found off Hwy 3 near Sparwood. The town expired abruptly when labour troubles between the collieries and the local union turned into a full scale riot in which many were injured before order was restored.

Donald (North of Golden): Once a construction centre and divisional point for the CPR. Some lumbering took place here; it was the chief town of the area in 1889. The divisional point moved to Revelstoke in 1897; buildings at Donald were torn down and moved to other towns.

Erie: When Daniel Corbin built the Nelson and Fort Sheppard Railway to Kootenay Lake in 1893, he also organized the Kootenay Land Company. Reflecting the optimism of the times, he laid out townsites called Beaver (later changed to Fruitvale), Erie, Salmo and Quartz Creek (later changed to Ymir). There was little activity in any of them for the first 4 years but after 1896, the gold properties captured the attention and they became thriving villages. Today, Ymir, Salmo and Fruitvale are supported by surrounding logging and farming, but Erie was not so fortunate.

Fisherville (East of Fort Steele): Visitors can take a step back to 1864 when this area was a bustling flurry of activity. Gold was found in Wild Horse Creek during that time and thousands of people journeyed here hoping to find the mother lode. All that remains today are remnants of old graveyards and mining activities.

Fort Shephard: This post was developed for fur brigade purposes and was situated on the west side of the Columbia River. Construction of the post began in 1856 and soon two warehouses, a storehouse, officers’ lodgings and quarters for the men were developed. Trade flourished for a brief period in the 1860s during the gold rush.

Fredericton: The discovery of copper-silver deposits on Toad Mountain by the Hall brothers in 1886, led to the development of the Silver King Mine. A community that appeared on the lakeshore was named Salisbury, then Nelson, while at the mine head a town known as Fredericton housed miners and their families. The mine closed in 1902 and before long Fredericton disappeared.

Kuskonook: On the east shore of lower Kootenay Lake, this town flourished and died because of railway rivalry. In 1898, the CPR was laying track westward from Lethbridge through the Rockies in an effort to reach the area’s mines. In November, CPR crews arrived at the foot of Kootenay Lake to discover the U.S. railway builders were already there. Canadian Pacific built its wharf and transfer point at Kootenay Landing (1 mile west) leaving Kuskonook to the Americans. At its peak, the village had 100 residents, a general store and five hotels.

Lumberton (15 km south of Cranbrook): Once known as Watts or Wattsburg, this town was run by A.E. Watts, the founder and owner of the lumber mill that was the life blood of the 225 residents. Eventually, the hills nearby became barren of timber and Lumberton was closed down. The cement wall of its mill rising above the ruins and foundations of long dismantled homes are all that remain.

Pilot Bay: The decision to build a smelter at Pilot Bay to smelt the rich ores of Riondel (Blue Bell) was made in 1891 and was almost instantly surrounded by the Pilot Bay townsite. The smelter operated for less than 2 years and was then closed due to low silver prices and high fuel costs. There’s a short hike to the site of both the Pilot Bay community and Smelter. Remnants of smelting apparatus can be seen scattered about.

Retallack: On Highway 31A, midway between New Denver and Kaslo, you’ll see abandoned buildings which mark the former townsite of Retallack, a thriving mining and sawmill town in the 1890s. Today, it’s home to a resort featuring fine dining and the Ancient Cedar Trail.

Sanca: Sanca is one of the oldest settlements on Kootenay Lake. Located just south of Crawford Bay on Hwy 3A, was once a gold-rush town of 1,500 miners.

Sandon: This once thriving heart of the Silvery Slocan mining region, now a renowned historic site, is a must-see for any visitor to the area. Sandon is located 13 km east of New Denver or 43 km west of Kaslo.

Waldo (47 km southwest of Fernie): Once a lumbering town in 1902 with 2 mills, 2 company stores, church, post office, poolroom, 2 hotels, 2 garages, large school and independent store, bunkhouses, mess halls and homes for 600 people. Waldo died with the mill’s closing and then in 1926 fire destroyed the entire community except the church and 6 homes; these were destroyed in a flood in 1972.

Waneta (near Trail): Bridging the Pend Oreille River (1893) was a big job demanding the construction of a steel cantilever span 250 ft (75 m) long. The project took six months with workmen living in a camp known as Boundary City. With saloons, dance halls and gambling tables, it boasted 1,200 occupants. Once the bridge was complete, construction crews began laying railway track northward from the border and a new community called Waneta appeared.

Wardner (35 km southeast of Cranbrook): Wardner was a lumbering town in the 1920s. It consisted of a lumber mill, 2 hotels, 2 general stores, 2 garages, post office, police station, church, cafe and homes. The town died in 1933; all that remains are 2 stores, the post office and a church.

Zwicky: Near Kaslo, on a flat where the south fork of Kaslo Creek joins the main street, a small townsite was laid out in 1892 and named Nashville. When the CPR took over the Kaslo & Slocan Railway in 1914, the settlement was named Zwicky, after the manager of the Cork-Province Mine. Today, Zwicky consists of only a couple of dilapidated log cabins.

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Ghostly Vancouver Tours

Haunted walking tours of vancouver.

ABOUT GHOSTLY VANCOUVER TOURS

Ghostly Vancouver Tours offers haunted, historic walking tours of Vancouver's most atmospheric neighbourhoods, particularly Gastown and Downtown Vancouver. We are the ONLY ghost tour outfit in Vancouver. Come join us for a night of spooky storytelling you won't soon forget!

#SUPPORTLOCAL #ghosttours

At GVT, we believe in honest storytelling. We do not fabricate our ghost stories. All haunted stops on our tours are researched through archives and interviews. It us up to YOU to believe, and we hope you do. Yes, we've even had a few ghostly encounters on our tours, but they're not guaranteed, because, well, ghosts. 

Ghostly Vancouver Tour Reviews

“awesome way to spend a saturday night had a great tour put on lydia, who was awesome and very knowledgeable about not only haunted vancouver history, but the history of gastown as well. ..”, meet our guides.

Lydia Williams

Lydia brings a wealth of experience in guiding haunted tours and ghost hunting. Watch Lydia's personal ghost story here.   

Ryan Barker

Ryan is an experienced ghostly guide, improv actor, and karaoke singer. Prepare to be entertained and spooked with Ryan.

Vanesa Zappala

Vanesa is a psychic medium, and paranormal investigator. Expect a special kind of ghost tour with Vanesa. Check out her Tik Tok .

Our guides come from a multitude of backgrounds but they have 3 key things in common: a love of history, a knack for great storytelling, and a passion for all things paranormal! 

#GhostlyVancouver

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University of Northern British Columbia

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This experiential adventure is a must for the Ghost Town aficionado. Exclusive access to some of British Columbia’s most restricted ghost town’s will be provided.  The remoteness and history of these fabled towns will amaze even those without an interest in the eerie past of these boom and bust communities.  You will visit the modern day Ghost town of Kitsualt where over  ninety  homes, two hundred apartments, hospital, shopping mall, restaurant, movie theatre, sports centre, and bank have all sat vacant for over 30 years and the only thing missing are the people.  We have been granted access to the remote and historic mining town of Anyox which has been referred to as the “The Town that got Lost”. The once thriving mining town had over 3000 residents in 1914 but has now been uninhabited for the past 80 years.  The tour also includes an adventure to one of BC’s most inaccessible ghost town’s, Alice Arm.  This isolated mining town of the 1930’s lies on our provinces rugged north coast with no power lines and no road access.  This ghost town  experience to northwest BC  would not be complete without exploring the abandoned cannery town of Port Essington and the Skeena railway community of Doreen.

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10 of the coolest & creepiest ghost towns you can find around BC

Cap off summer with another road trip...to a ghost town. 👻

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With spooky season almost upon us, there’s no better time than now to check out some all the amazing ghost towns around BC that you can visit or learn about. We say either because while some of these are just a stone’s throw from the city, others are downright impossible to get to (unless you’ve got some scuba gear handy). Let’s see what’s out there!

Here are 10 amazing ghost towns to know about around BC.

Photo via Shutterstock

Fun fact- this mostly abandoned town site outside of Port Moody is actually named after the I mperial O il Co mpany. The site used to be home to an old oil refinery in the early 20th century, supporting up to 200 people at its peak. These days? Only a few boarded-up houses remain.

Where:  Ioco, Port Moody

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Stacey Phillips (@lost2wheels)

Turns out, some of the best sites in the province are all bunched together in BC’s ‘Valley of the Ghosts.’ Once a relatively prosperous silver mine site, Retallack was a stop on the downright terrifying Kaslo and Sandon Railway, which has long been abandoned. These days, only a couple of mining buildings remain. Well, that and a prestigious biking/skiing operation that has since moved in.

Where: Retallack, BC

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ZINCTON (@zinctoncanada)

Here’s a name that gets right to the point. Just a stone’s throw away from Retallack, Zincton was one of the only zinc mines in Canada for much of the early 20th century. When the mine dried up in the 50s, so did the town, and all that’s around today are the foundations of various buildings. However, this might not be the end of Zincton, as a ski resort is being proposed for the location.

Where: Zincton, BC

Bringing a whole new meaning to “Where’s Waldo” is this underwater ghost town. Located on the eastern shores of Kootenay Lake, this townsite was once a prosperous lumber town. However, the creation of the Libby Dam in nearby Montana changed its fate. Now, the town sits underwater in Lake Koocanusa, and while you can try to explore it, we think it’s better to rent a boat and just chill directly above it for a spooky experience.

Where: Lake Koocanusa, BC

Recent Posts: Food guide: Here are all the unique eats you can find at the PNE Fair this year Ice cream, coffee, & cocktails: You can take a tour of all the Nanaimo bar-inspired treats in BC

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As one of the most famous ghost towns in western Canada, Sandon lived up to its reputation while it was around. The home base for many a silver prospector, the town played many a role throughout the decades and even became an internment camp during the Second World War. However, it was derelict by the end of the 50s, and these days, just a handful of residents remain from a peak of over 5,000.

Where: Sandon, BC

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Steve Hoodicoff (@hoodicoff70)

A ghost town through and through, Coal Creek is only accessible via a walking trail from nearby Fernie, but has got a ruined townsite to explore once you’re there. Things aren’t expertly preserved though, as many of the buildings either burnt down in a fire or were moved to Fernie afterwards.

Where: Outside Fernie, BC

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Cassiar B.C (@cassiarbc)

The most recent ghost town on this list, Cassiar tried ‘asbestos’ it could to stay around all the way up until the late 90s. Turns out, a town built around asbestos mining was not the most enduring way to set it up, and a town with a population peak of 1,500 is now a shadow of its former self. However, jade mining and other work nearby keep some residents there.

Where: Cassiar, BC

Barkerville

Photo via Derek Belsham / Shutterstock

While Sandon was built on silver, Barkerville was built on gold. The main town of the Cariboo Gold Rush in the 19th century, Barkerville has been a National Historic Site of Canada for almost a century already (yes, it’s that old). It’s good news for us, since this is easily the best-preserved ghost town in BC, and maybe even the country. The downside? Hoo boy, is it a drive to get there!

Where: Barkerville, BC

Fort Shepherd

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Cute Canadian Couple (@aaron_and_leneigh)

Speaking of really, really old places (at least for Canada), we’ve come to Fort Shepherd. Originally built as a trading post for the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 1850s, Fort Shepherd only lasted until the 1870s, meaning it’s been a ghost town for some 150 years. Unlike Barkerville, all you’ll found here are the dilapidated remains of chimneys, foundations, and a stone cairn.

Where:  Fort Shepherd Conservancy Area

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Fin Reed (@fin_reed7)

We’re really exploring all the metals with this list. Once known as the ‘highest city in Canada’, Pheonix had a population of over 4,000, the vast majority of which worked in nearby copper mines. Pheonix will not rise again anytime soon, though – the town was bulldozed for open-pit mining in the 1970s, and that’s all you’ll see today.

Where: Phoenix, BC

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Samuel Boisvert (@sjtboisvert)

Nearby Pheonix lies Anaconda, making it our favourite name duo on this list. Instead of mining, Anaconda operated around smelting copper ore, and so its fate was more or less tied to the success (and downfall) of nearby operations. While a few people remain over a century later, you’re more likely to see abandoned buildings on a visit here than actual residents.

Where: Anaconda, BC

Alright folks, that’s our roundup of some of the most notable ghost towns around BC to know about! If you’re planning a road trip sometime soon, save us a seat!

Curiocity Staff

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THE LOST SOULS OF GASTOWN TOUR

• The Forbidden Vancouver Tour
• The Really Gay History Tour
• THE DARK SECRETS OF STANLEY PARK TOUR
• The Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour
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• BOOK YOUR TOUR

DISCOVER THE EERIE HISTORY OF VANCOUVER’S OLDEST NEIGHBOURHOOD

Follow the lamplight of your guide into Vancouver’s earliest and most gruesome history. You’ll step inside a world of murder, revenge, and true grit in a dramatic retelling of Victorian Gastown’s earliest stories. Tales of deadly fire and smallpox emerge from the shadows as you venture through cobblestone streets to the shocking finale in this unique performance-theatre experience.

$33 ADULTS $30 YOUTH AND SENIORS

DAILY 7PM + THURS – SAT 8PM

TOUR RUNS 1.5 – 2 HOURS

MEET OUTSIDE OF MONACO CAFE – 356 WATER ST

Rachel with lantern

City Hall 1886

Emmett Look Up

Klondike Kate

Lost Souls of Gastown slide 2

Water Street from the foot of Richards M-11-42

Eric Regimbald Lost Souls

Sir William Van Horne

Early Gastown

Emmett Stairs Gastown

Maple Tree Square

Emmett Come Close

Fire Department P41 1895 Water Street

Rachel at Victorian

Water Street 1887

Rachel in alley

Klondike Men

Lost Souls of Gastown slide 1

Sunnyside Hotel

Lost Souls of Gastown slide 4

ON THIS WALKING TOUR YOU’LL DISCOVER…

Gruesome stories of the Great Fire

The notorious ladies of the Gold Rush

A murder mystery unsolved to this day

The haunting legend of Gaoler’s Mews

The chilling history of George Vancouver

Stories of smallpox outbreaks & heartbreaks

Hotels and streets that haven’t changed from the 1800s

*IMPORTANT*

The Lost Souls of Gastown is our most popular tour and regularly sells out. To get your preferred date and avoid missing out, we highly recommend you book as soon as possible.

FLEXIBLE CANCELLATION POLICY

You can cancel your experience for a full refund up to 24 hours before your tour start time. Less than 24 hours before the start of your tour, you can receive a full credit for future use. No questions asked! Prices exclude fees and taxes.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Testimonials from tripadvisor.

INCREDIBLE!

“Eric was a fantastic storyteller and had so many awesome facts about the area. I was taken aback by his performance, at one point I actually thought I may cry because he conveyed such emotion and pain.”

– AMY B, VIA TRIPADVISOR

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING EXPERIENCE!

“This is a must if you are visiting or even living in Vancouver! The very talented actress took us back to the time period of late 1800s. It was so well done that it was hard to believe the ending. You need to go through the story…it was amazing.”

– JULIE P, VIA TRIPADVISOR

TOP 20 EXPERIENCES IN CANADA, VIATOR 2024

WINNER TRIP ADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE 2012 – 2024

WINNER LONELY PLANET “TOP CHOICE” 2024

WINNER CITY OF VANCOUVER HERITAGE MEDAL OF HONOUR

WINNER MUST DO CANADA FEATURED EXPERIENCES 2024

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What do i need to bring.

There’s plenty of shade in Gastown, and by the evening the sun won’t be too hot. We recommend you bring a jacket and sturdy footwear during the cooler months.

You’ll definitely want your smartphone charged so you can take photos of the incredible sites and views!

Is it suitable for children?

We carefully crafted this experience to suit the interests and preferences of adults, making it an ideal choice for teenagers seeking engaging and thought-provoking content. However, due to its mature themes and potential for intense or sensitive content, we don’t recommended it for children under the age of 12.

Can I park near the start point?

There are several parking lots near the starting point at Monaco Cafe. The closest is at 450 W Cordova at Harbour Centre. There’s also one at 160 Water Street near Pourhouse.

How much walking is involved?

The tour is a leisurely stroll through Gastown. There is one short hill right at the beginning of the tour. The total distance covered is about 1.5 km, or 1 mile.

Does my guide accept gratuities?

Absolutely! Our guides accept cash or cards (via a portable Square device). If you enjoyed your guide’s performance then a tip is greatly appreciated.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at the corner of Water and Cordova Streets, beside Monaco Cafe The end point is at Maple Tree Square in Gastown, nearby plenty of food and beverage options!

Can I get to the start point on transit?

It’s super easy! The historic Waterfront Station is only a block from our starting point. Take any line to Waterfront Station and exit on Cordova Street. Turn left out of the exit and walk one block towards Monaco Cafe.

Hot tip: Use Translink’s online trip planner for more options.

Is the Lost Souls of Gastown a ghost tour?

The Lost Souls of Gastown Tour isn’t a ghost tour, it’s a live performance experience based on the city’s most gothic early history. You’ll follow the lamplight of your guide, a professional actor, as you discover the city’s past and stories of smallpox, fire, and murder.

Can't I just wander around Gastown by myself?

You can, and Gastown is a lively neighbourhood full of shops, restaurants, and bars. But you’ll miss out on the historic neighbourhood’s roots and a unique performance theatre experience!

Can I buy my ticket cheaper on another site?

We guarantee our website has the lowest prices for our walking tours. Beware reseller sites that display their prices in $USD to appear cheaper than they really are.

Do I qualify for a senior or youth ticket?

Anyone aged 65 or older qualifies for a seniors ticket.

If you’re 18 or younger, or a full-time student of any age with valid photo ID, you qualify for a youth ticket.

What are your Terms and Conditions?

All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

We do not permit guests on the tour who are, or appear to be, intoxicated. Guests who are intoxicated or disorderly will be asked to leave the tour and no refund will be issued.

While the tour is not strenuous, walking is involved and guests will be on their feet for the duration of the tour. Guests are responsible for making sure they are able to complete the tour.

You and your party knowingly and freely assume all the risks with participating in this experience. We are not responsible for illness or injury of guests during a tour. By participating in this experience you release and hold harmless Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours with respect to any injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property whether cause by the negligence of Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours or otherwise.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

This tour is electric wheelchair accessible and is led on mostly flat terrain (with some historic cobblestones). The tour does start with a small hill, which may be more challenging for guests in a conventional/non-electric wheelchair.

Is there a bathroom break?

There isn’t an official bathroom break on the tour. We recommend you visit the bathroom before the tour starts. However if you do need to go during the tour it’s no problem at all. Simply let your guide know and they will advise you of a nearby cafe or restaurant you can duck into.

Is it scary?

You can expect a shiver or two down your spine, but, don’t worry, definitely no nightmares! We don’t use cheap scare tactics, the drama is in the storytelling.

MEET OUR LOST SOULS OF GASTOWN WALKING TOUR GUIDES

Samantha Alexandra

Jarod Campbell

Amy Lee Newman

Cole Breckell

Rachel Ruecker

Emmett Hanly

Stuart Jansen

Sandra Medeiros

Nevada Yates Robart

Janet Glassford

Alison Jenkins

Tracy Jennissen

AS FEATURED ON

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

When you buy a ticket for this walking tour, two percent of the ticket cost goes to support the Vancouver Urban Native Youth Association. Since its founding in 1988, UNYA’s focus has been to provide meaningful opportunities for Indigenous youth (Aboriginal, Metis, Inuit, First Nations, Status, Non-Status) in the urban setting. Today, UNYA delivers 20+ programs, with 175+ volunteers, 100 staff, and more than 300 community partners.

TOUR DESCRIPTION

A gothic adventure.

Venture into Vancouver’s earliest and most gruesome history on the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour. You’ll discover a time when Vancouver was the Granville Townsite – the wild frontier town that suffered a devastating fire, smallpox outbreaks, and unsolved murders.

Designed for adult audiences, the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour is both a walking tour and a theatre piece. Created by Forbidden Vancouver’s Founder Will Woods – and based on documented Vancouver history – the plot weaves through back streets and alleyways to a dramatic finale in the heart of Gastown’s Maple Tree Square.

THE GRUESOME MURDER OF JOHN BRAY

The year was 1898. After a night of whiskey and cards at the saloon, gold prospector John Bray staggered out onto the streets of Gastown. He never made it back to his hotel. Robbed and shot three times in the head, he spent two delirious weeks roaming the streets before the bullets finally killed him.

Relive the tale of John Bray and his mysterious death, along with stories of the people and events that shaped early Vancouver. The Lost Souls of Gastown Tour is not a ghost tour. It’s an interactive gothic theatre experience that pulls you so deep into the swirling lamplight and darkened alleys of Gastown’s murky past, you may have a hard time finding your way back out…

MEETING PLACE

Tours start outside of Monaco Cafe – 356 Water St Tours end at Maple Tree Square in Gastown

Book your Lost Souls of Gastown Tour today

What happened in Kitsault, BC, Canada’s most perfect Ghost Town?

Kitsault was a mining town of 1,200 or so people in one of the most remote areas of British Columbia. It opened in 1981. It was empty by 1982. That was its first lifetime.

Since then, however, something has happened to Kitsault. Unlike other abandoned towns, Kitsault has been maintained. First by the mining company, later by a private owner. So today it sits, almost perfectly preserved, ready for a small town's worth of people to show up and move in. Will they?

GUEST: Justin McElroy, CBC reporter, personal Kitsault investigator

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