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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Monday, May 09, 2011

Q is for QUESNEL - ABC Wednesday

We're back in British Columbia this week for another destination - Quesnel (pronounced kweh-NEL). It's a very historic town in that it is named for Jules Maurice Quesnel who accompanied Simon Fraser on his journey to the Pacific Ocean. Quesnel is located along the Cariboo Wagon Road and was the commercial center for the Cariboo Gold Rush, which began in 1859. Also, because of its location on the Fraser River, it was an important landing for sternwheelers between 1862 and 1886 and again from 1909 to 1921. The town is pretty much in the middle of our ranch and cowboy country.

Currently, one of its most important festivals is during the third week of July when the town celebrates its heritage and the first gold miner, William Barker who struck it rich just east of Quesnel where we now have the historical town of Barkerville. Billy Barker hailed from Cambridgeshire, England, and struck gold in 1861 sparking rapid growth in the area because of so many men arriving to find their own fortune.

My one and only visit to Quesnel and Barkerville was when I was about 19 years old, home from my second year of university (my parents had moved 500 miles north of Vancouver to reside in Prince George, a few miles north of Quesnel). It was lots of fun exploring the old town with its saloon, schoolhouse, church, "Wake-up Jake's Restaurant," the theater, and the general store that was run by the Chinese, a very important part of the building of the town. I also panned for gold, but was unsuccessful. Below are a couple of old photos of me (in the pink top) and my sister and mother back in 1968 and below them are old file photos of Barkerville in 1865 and in 2004.

One more thing - all students in British Columbia learn the history of the Gold Rush and all about Billy Barker and his henchmen. Quesnel and its environs (i.e. Barkerville) are a major tourist attraction not only for BCers, but also for all Canadians and Americans alike.








ABC Wednesday is the brainchild of Mrs. Nesbitt and because it has become so popular around the world, she now has a group of quintessential aides! Check us out here!

21 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

It's a long time since I've been to Quesnel, and an even longer time since I visited Barkerville.
I enjoyed your photos, Leslie.
— K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Roger Owen Green said...

It looks charming and fascinating; not familiar w it.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

photowannabe said...

That's a great name for a town. Don't you just love the old historic buildings and history.
I don't think I would have liked living in the town shown in the archieve picture. Guess I like more creature comforts.

Hildred said...

Wonderful pictures Leslie, and a great choice for Q.

Sylvia K said...

Marvelous post for the Q Day, Leslie! Love your photos! Hope your week is going well!

Sylvia
ABC Team

Carver said...

You did a fantastic job with Q this week. Great shots and very informative post.

B i r g i t t a said...

Interesting and a good choise for Q day :)

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Loved the history/geography lesson! And that church...amazing!

Shady Gardener said...

What an interesting post! Thank you for sharing. :-)

Reader Wil said...

How interesting to live in a country with goldmining areas.The photos of the old mining towns are very interesting!

Meryl said...

Great post and shots. My how time changes some things and not others.

Berowne said...

I always enjoy the posts about history. Thanks.

Joy said...

The Caraboo Wagon Road is an evocative name. Sounds a fascinating place, love those old photos, (from the comfort of my chair).

VioletSky said...

I've often wonder where that name came from. I like the sound of it.

ChrisJ said...

I love the picture of the old church.

Beverley Baird said...

What an interesting look at Quesnel! Have not visited there but would like to next time.
Have a wonderful week!

Wanda said...

What a Quaint place...love those last old pictures. Great choice for Q.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Quaint indeed!

Liz Hinds said...

That is a perfect gold rush town! Just like the movies!!

Powell River Books said...

Thanks for the visit. I've never been to either Quesnel or Barkerville. - Margy

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

What an interesting town.