Bell's Travel Guides

Locations in British Columbia

• Dawson Creek
• Dease Lake
• Hudson’s Hope
• Taylor
• Tumbler Ridge
• Fort Nelson
• Chetwynd
• Ft St John
• Prince Rupert
• Prince George
• Smithers
• Stewart

Ft St John | British Columbia

Fort St. John is located in the heart of the majestic Peace River and has a population of 21,000. It serves a trading area of over 60,000. Historically, Fort St. John traces its roots back to the end of the 18th century when Sir Alexander Mackenzie opened a series of forts along the Peace River to service the fur traders.
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 March 1942 the construction of the Alaska Highway began and in a few short years Fort St. John’s population swelled to 2,000. With the completion of the Alaska Highway, only nine months later in October 1942, the American troops left and the population dropped to 700.

In 1952 gas and oil was discovered and by 1957 the refinery at Taylor and a 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.

The city is rich in natural resources; mainly oil and gas, timber, hydroelectricity and agriculture. More grain, seed and honey is produced here than anywhere else in BC.

Adventurers, recreational enthusiasts and wildlife share thousands of acres of pristine wilderness, making Fort St. John one of the recreation jewels of British Columbia.

• Stay Here
• Camping
• To Do
• Shopping
• Getting Around