Heritage & History

A Brief Overview of Greenwood's History

Greenwood's story begins in 1891 as a bustling mining camp sparked by discoveries of gold, silver, and copper. Incorporated as a city in 1897, it boomed with the construction of the BC Copper Company smelter in 1901, earning its nickname as the "hub" of the Boundary region. Prosperity drew fortune seekers from around the world, but post-World War I copper price crashes led to a rapid decline, reducing the population to just a few hundred by 1940.

In 1942, Greenwood became British Columbia's first Japanese Canadian internment camp during World War II, housing around 1,200 people in vacant buildings and revitalizing the near-ghost town. Unlike many other communities, Greenwood welcomed these residents post-war, shaping a unique chapter in its history. Today, Greenwood stands as a testament to resilience, boasting over 60 heritage buildings and serving as a gateway to outdoor adventures along the Crowsnest Highway 3.

Fun Facts and Intriguing Details

To pique your curiosity, here are some captivating snippets from Greenwood's past – but remember, the full stories and artifacts await you at the museum!

Canada's Smallest City with a Big Past: Greenwood holds the title of Canada's smallest incorporated city, yet it once swelled to a population of 3,000 during its mining heyday.
Outlaw Connections: Prospector John Marion Jarrett, a Civil War veteran and alleged member of the Jesse James/Younger Gang, staked claims in the area and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery. Imagine his tales of bank robberies and boundary prospecting!
Award-Winning Water: Sample "Greenwood Gold" – our municipal water won the 2012 Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Award for Best Municipal Water in the World. Taste it from the trough at the Assay Office replica next to the museum.
Ghost Towns and Giant Mines: Nearby Phoenix was once Canada's highest city at over 3,000 feet, with a population rivaling Greenwood's, before becoming a massive open-pit mine site.
Smelter Legacy: The towering 36-meter brick smokestack at Lotzkar Memorial Park stands as a monument to the BC Copper Company Smelter, which processed thousands of tons of ore daily until 1918.
Nikkei Heritage: The Nikkei Legacy Park honors Japanese Canadian families who endured internment here, featuring 80 plaques commemorating those who "lived together" in Greenwood.

These tidbits only scratch the surface of Greenwood's colorful timeline, from mining booms to wartime resilience.

Discover More at the Greenwood Museum & Visitor Centre

For in-depth exhibits, personal tours, and archival treasures, head to the Greenwood Museum & Visitor Centre – your ultimate resource for diving deeper into our history. Located on Copper Avenue (Highway 3) in downtown Greenwood, the museum features:

Detailed displays on the mining era, military history, logging, and a recreated Windsor Hotel room.
A one-of-a-kind exhibit on John Jarrett in a hotel bar setting.
Comprehensive Japanese Canadian internment stories, including family histories and photos.
Archival documents and a photo gallery for researchers and enthusiasts.

Contact: Phone 250-445-6355 | Email: [email protected]

From there, you can also arrange self-guided heritage walking tours of downtown, guided courthouse visits (housed in a stunning 1903 wooden structure with symbolic stained-glass windows), or explore nearby sites like the Trans Canada Trail and Boundary Falls.

We recommend visiting the museum as your starting point for any historical adventure in Greenwood – it's where the stories truly unfold!