Terrace as the name suggests is built on a series of natural terraces of land along the Skeena River. Nestled in the majestic Skeena Valley, it serves as the service and trade centre for this part of BC. Its progressive atmosphere has been described as `vibrant' and offers exceptional retail services. A  relatively young community, Terrace has successfully diversified its forestry  based economy and enjoys a central appeal.

Terrace is renowned for its quality recreational experiences. Whether fisherman, hiker, camper or skier the area offers a unique opportunity to enjoy both nature and a favourite recreational pursuit. The region is known for its exceptional  fishing. A variety of accessible hiking trails bring people and their environment together while Shames Mountain, just 35 kilometres west of Terrace offers  skiers a peak experience. A 20 minute drive south brings resident and visitors  to the soothing waters of the Mount Layton Hot Springs. Lakelse Lake Provincial  Park, just 15 minutes away from the City's centre offers campers and swimmers a perfect out of doors setting while providing all amenities.

Whether swimming at the aquatic centre, skating at the arena or enjoying a quiet visit to the library, Terrace provides its residents with a variety  of exciting things to do. Over 100 community groups are active in Terrace  and each offer different social functions.

Terrace serves as headquarters for health and education services for the area.

History
The first wave of pioneer settlers came to the Terrace area between 1889 and 1912, attracted by mining opportunities, land grants, and rich farmland. With no road or railway connections to the outside world, summer access was  provided by shallow-draft steam powered paddle-wheelers.

Eby's Landing on the Skeena River was the original staging point and riverboat stop for hundreds of settlers who spread into the valleys north and south of Terrace. One of the early residents of the community at Eby's Landing (which  became known as Kitsumkalum) was Henry Frank. His original house, built of squared timbers in 1908, is located south of the railway next to the Skeena  River. The large buildings on the site are the remnants of the dairy farm operated from 1920 to 1965.

The importance of the riverboat landings diminished with the construction  of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway between 1908 and 1914 from the Canadian  Prairies to the Port of Prince Rupert. This railway, which later became part of the Canadian National Railway network, was the principal means of transportation into Terrace until the first road to the interior of the province was constructed in 1943.

With construction of the railway, a station site was needed. Although the  community of Kitsumkalum was the most likely location, a savvy businessman, George Little, donated land to the railroad company where the modern railroad station is now located and the Village of Terrace grew. Little Park was dedicated as part of the first subdivision in 1911 and is now the present site of the library, art gallery and market.

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Information/Emergency

Terrace Visitor Info Center in the Chamber of Commerce Building 4511 Keith Avenue, 635-2063 or 1-800-499-1637; has a  dump station and water. From May to late August open 7 days a week 8am to  8pm. From September to April open Monday to Friday 9 to 4:30. www.terracetourism.bc.ca

Emergency: Police - 635-4911; Fire - 638-8121; Ambulance -638-1102.  Park Avenue Medical Clinic 4634 Park Avenue. The hospital is at 2711 Tetrault Street, phone 635-2211.

Propane/Water/Dump
Visitor Info Center 4511 Keith Avenue has water and a dump station.

Service
Husky Oil 3097 Hwy. 16 E. 250-635-3717.  Gas, diesel, propane, tire repair.

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Accommodations
The Coast Inn of the West 4620 Lakelse Avenue, Terrace, BC V8G 1R1; 250-638-8141, 1-800-663-1144 in Canada and the U.S. The finest location in Terrace isn't the only reason to stay at the Inn. Fanny's lounge, six meeting rooms, cold beer and wine store and the list goes  on! When you work up an appetite enjoy our White Spot Restaurant.

Northern Motor Inn 3086 Highway 16, Terrace, BC V8G 3N5; 250-635-6375, 1-800-663-3390. Clean comfortable rooms, air conditioning, restaurant, dining  room.

Camping
Ferry Island Municipal Campground, 1 mile West of Highway 16 and 37, 635-4244. Open May to October, large wooded sites, toilets, picnic shelters, firewood. Hiking trails.

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Shopping
Kermodei Trading Co. The bright yellow gift house at 4525 Highway  16, near the Visitor Information Center 250 638-1808. A unique gift store featuring local gifts and souvenirs.

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Transportation/Tours
Greyhound - 1-800-661-8747.

Seaport Limousine offers bus transportation to Stewart, Monday through  Friday at 5 pm. They leave from the Greyhound Bus Depot, 4620 Keith Avenue.  250-635-7676.

Hawkair provides flights to Masset with its partner airline TK Air starting May 12, 2003. Up to 3 flights daily connect Prince Rupert to Masset, QCI. Toll free in Canada 1-866-429-5247 or 1-800-487-1216.

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Things To Do
Heritage Park is a collection of original log buildings depicting the history of the pioneers of the region. Each building has been chosen to represent a different style of log building construction. These structures  also house interesting collections of artifacts and histories relevant to  the original use of each building.

Under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of  Terrace they have guided tours throughout the summer months and is the focus  of many fun-filled community events.

Terrace is an 'outdoors' community and there are a myriad of things to do: rent a canoe, go for a horseback ride, or hike one of Terrace's many trails.

Falls Gallery displays beautiful local first Nations art and jewellery.  Trail leading to scenic falls.

Ferry Island has hiking trails around its perimeter. The trails begin  at the picnic shelter on the west side of the island and circles through the woods. An ideal walk for all ages.

Mt. Layton Hot Springs Resort Ltd. is at Lakelse Lake just a 15 minute  drive from Terrace on Highway 37 South. Restaurant, lounge and accommodation, plus Mount Layton's 5 water slides, giant pool and separate therapeutic pool  make it a great place. 250-98-2214.

Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park. Canada's youngest lava flow is located  just 80 km north of Terrace and covers an area of 18 km in length and 3 km  in width. Most geologists agree that the lava flow is the most recent volcanic  eruption in Canada, occurring between about 1650 and 1750. Growth returns  quickly in this damp, wet climate, yet most of the lava has only lichens and moss on the loose rubble, and large areas of bare rock with detailed "flow textures" of amazing delicacy. Even along the Tseax River, where trees have grown on the lava, the forest floor is treacherous with hidden crevasses,  unstable rock slabs, and needle-sharp projections. The lava flow contains magnificent examples of different types of lava, sink holes, craters and turquoise  pools.

A campsite has been established along Vetter Creek. A picnic area with wheelchair  accessible facilities is on the north shore of Lava Lake. Editor's note: although  this road continues through to Cranberry Junction on Cassiar Highway 37. From Lava Lake to the junction it can be quite rough and is narrow, it is also  an active logging road so if you intend to travel the whole distance be cautious.  I recommend that you drive in from Terrace and return the same way.

Skeena Valley Fall Fair held annually on Labor Day weekend

Terrace Mountain Nature Trail starts at the Johnson St. trail head.

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