Fort St. John sits high above the spectacular Peace
River Valley—73 km/45.5 miles northwest of Dawson Creek
and 387 km/240 miles southeast of Fort Nelson.
In the surrounding countryside, cattle and sheep graze
in the shadow of oil derricks. Endless patchwork quilts of
cropland melt into the horizon. Sixty miles to the west an
enormous power-generating dam has created British Columbia's largest
lake—680 square miles of water for industry and recreation.
Thousands of summer visitors as well as area farms
add to the economy. Over 1 million tons of grain are shipped annually
from the Fort St. John area and there are two large sawmills and
a pulp mill.
An old northern legend claims, "Drink once of the
waters of the mighty Peace and they will ever call you back again."
History
Historically, Fort St. John traces its roots back to the
end of the 18th century when Alexander Mackenzie opened a series
of forts along the Peace River to service the fur traders.
Over the years the community has been moved a number of
times for varying economic reasons. The present location is
thought to be the sixth.
At the end of World War I many veterans moved westward
to the fertile agricultural lands on both sides of the Peace River,
and formed the population base for the then tiny hamlet of
Fort St. John. In 1942 the Alaska Highway was built and in a few
short months, Fort St. John's population swelled to 2,000. With
this new influx of population came the famous Murray's, George and
Margaret (Ma), who founded the equally famous Alaska Highway
News.
With the completion of the highway through to Delta Junction
in Alaska, the American troops left and the population dropped
all the way back to 700.
In 1952 gas and oil was discovered and by 1957 the refinery
at Taylor and the West Coast Transmission Pipeline to the
south had been built. On July 1, 1975 incorporation as a city
took place and Fort St. John hasn't looked back. It now boasts a
population of 18,270 and a trading population of over 60,000.
Information/Emergency
Travel Infocenter is open
mid May to end of August 8am to 7pm Mon. to Fri., Sat/Sun 9 to 6; September
to May 9am to 5pm, closed holidays. For travel
information contact 9523 - 100 St., Fort St. John, BC V1J 4N4; 250-785-3033, toll free 877-785-6037.
Northeastern British Columbia: for travel information on Northeastern British Columbia, contact
the Northern Rockies Alaska Highway Tourism Association, Box 6850,
Fort St. John, BC V1J 4J3; 250-785-2544, fax 250-785 4424, toll
free 1-888-785-2544.
A free dump station with
water is run by the city at km 73.2/mile 45.6 on right northbound
Alaska Highway.
Superior Propane 9915 Alaska
Road, 250-785-8061.
Services
Kal Tire at the north end of Fort
St. John on the Alaska Highway, across from Petro Pass. 250-785-5226.
See Kal Tire for all your tire needs from cars to recreational
vehicles. They sell and service a complete line of Michelin products.
Quality Inn Northern Grand Come enjoy Choice Hotels' Gold Hospitality Award Winner-4 years running. Offering indoor pool, whirpool, sauna, fitness centre along with banquet & meeting rooms, free high speed internet, on site White Spot restaurant, Legends Lounge & Quality Liquor Store.250-787-0521
Camping
Charlie Lake RV & Leisure 1 km past the
Charlie Lake General Store on mile 52 of the Alaska Highway. Laundry,
showers, full service, pull thrus, fire pits, playground. 250-787-1569.
Sourdough Pete's Tent & RV Park, km 72.4/mile 45, 1-800-227-8388; 250-785-9255 Large grassy
pull throughs, full hook-ups, some 30-amp. Excellent tenting area.
Good Sam Park. Showers, laundromat.
The Honey Place. See the world's largest glass beehive and enjoy some of the best honey in the world.
Rainbow Studio#88 Totem Mall 250-787-7869. Photography, cameras, film
and 1-hour photo finishing and enlargements.
Totem Mall,9600 -
93rd Avenue, on the right hand side of the highway as you
enter town from the south.
Things
To Do
Lone Wolf Golf Club Treat your self
to a game of golf on our18-hole championship course located in
Taylor about 15 minutes south of the city. Driving range. Restaurant.
250-789-3711
Fish Creek Community Forest - 3 interpretive trails, various types of vegetation and animals.
Fort St. John—North Peace Museum—built in 1983—near the
Alaska Highway in the shadow of a 140 foot high oil derrick—erected
in 1982.
At the Museum the visitor can journey through history from native
settlement, trading forts to the pioneer homesteads and
the construction of the Alaska Highway in 1942. The Museum
houses over 4,000 artifacts which have been carefully restored.
Peace Gallery North - a variety
of exhibits featuring local artists as well as traveling
shows.
Ft St John - North Peace Museum The visitor can
journey through history from native settlement, trading forts
to the pioneer homesteads and the construction of the Alaska Highway
in 1942. The Museum houses over 4,000 artifacts which have been
carefully restored.
The Honey Place, at km 66.5/mile 41.3 of the
Alaska Highway 250-785-4808. A great opportunity to see the world's
largest glass beehive and enjoy some of the best honey in the
world.
The North Peace Cultural Centre offers live theatre, dance and music, and an exciting variety of
exhibitions featuring local artists.
Travellers of all ages can have loads of fun at the North
Peace Leisure Pool in a wave pool with rapids channel, hot
tub and water slide.
There are hundreds of events that go on in the city each year, such as the High on Ice Winter Carnival, Great Canadian Welding Competition, Canada Day Celebrations, and the North Peace Fall Fair.
