TELKWA

TELKWA

Is a small district municipality, located where the Telkwa and Bulkley Rivers meet, 15 kilometers south of Smithers on the Yellowhead Highway (Highway #16). Telkwa was once a thriving town very rich in coalmine deposits, and even though these have since closed, there have been some rambling that they maybe opened in the future. The history of Telkwa dates back to the 1860s, when the Collins Overland Telegraph line was constructed to further north. Until World War 1 (WWI), Telkwa was the main commercial center for the entire the Bulkley Valley, which is when the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway was constructed which in turn, shifted growth and expansion north to Smithers. Telkwa has several historical sites including St. Stephen’s Anglican Church which was built in 1910 from wood donated from Telkwa’s first sawmill, and its bell tower and lich gate were added in 1921. The lich gate is significant because a coffin is placed there commemorating the first-ever burial service in the church’s history. Telkwa is an outdoor enthusiasts haven as there several parks in the vicinity of the town; Tyhee Provincial Park, just 5 minutes northeast of town, this scenic park offers swimming and hiking opportunities during the summer months and ice fishing on the lake and cross-country skiing during the cold, winter months. Another great thing about Telkwa is that there is a demolition derby and barbeque that happens here every Labor Day Weekend in Telkwa well as Winterfest, a winter celebration that is home to dogsled races, wagon rides, snow sculptures, cross-country skiing, candlelight skiing, and much more winter fun. Telkwa is known to be British Columbia’s smallest municipality and its name comes derives from a Carrier First Nations word meaning “where the rivers meet”.

TELKWA’S POPULATION: 1,295