Skookumchuck, British Columbia
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Skookumchuck | |
|---|---|
  Skookumchuck Location of Skookumchuck in British Columbia | |
| Coordinates: 49°54′59″N 115°44′03″W / 49.91639°N 115.73417°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Region | East Kootenay |
| Regional district | East Kootenay |
| Area codes | 250, 778, 236, & 672 |
| Highways |  Highway 95 |
Skookumchuck is in the East Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia. This locality straddles both shores of the Kootenay River north of the mouth of the Lussier River.[1] The crossing, on the merged section of highways 93 and 95, is by road about 54 kilometres (34 mi) north of Cranbrook and 193 kilometres (120 mi) southeast of Golden.
The name derives from Skookumchuck Creek,[2] which an 1880s account describes the idea as "stream of the rapid torrent".[3] Gold prospectors built cabins on the creek, which is about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west of the present Skookumchuck bridge across the Kootenay River.[4] Prior to erecting this link in the 1920s, the community on the east end was called Springbrook and the general area on the west side was called Skookumchuck. Subsequently, the merged communities adopted the more dominant Skookumchuck identity.[5]
Transportation
Since the 1890s, the basic elements have been similar to Wasa road and river and Wasa rail.
Community
Although mining and logging had attracted settlers, the commencement of rail service in 1915 prompted further growth.[4] John W. Blake was the inaugural postmaster 1915–1921.[6] By 1918, he ran a general store[7] near the station, but the few surrounding houses were soon deserted after the occupants moved farther north or west.[8]
Around 1940, the Springbrook log cabins and a log grocery store were erected.[9] A two-storey motel was added in the mid-1960s, and the log store burned to the ground in the mid-1970s. The rebuild was across the highway.[10] In 1967, the telephone exchange opened.[11]
In 1968, the establishment of the Skookumchuck Pulp Mill near the creek brought new subdivisions at Skookumchuck and new residents to the general area.[4] Mill upgrades totalled $17 million in 1975, $22 million in 1985, and $279 million in 1993. A $50 million woodwaste cogeneration plant opened in 2001.[12] In 2013, Paper Excellence Canada Holdings bought the mill from Tembecs for $89 million.[13] In 2021, the mill was fined over $100,000 for exceeding permitted limits in treated wastewater discharges and air emissions.[14]
The community infrastructure includes a convenience store/gas bar, and a motel/RV park/campground.[15]