Castlegar history

Foundation and First Mentions

The territory of modern Castlegar, located in a picturesque valley at the confluence of the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers, historically served as the home for the Sinixt and Ktunaxa Indigenous peoples. European exploration of the region began with expeditions by explorers such as David Thompson in the early 19th century.

The direct founding of the settlement is linked to the name of the Irish entrepreneur Edward Mahon. In 1902, he gave this place the name Castlegar in honour of his ancestral estate in County Galway, Ireland. Prior to this moment, scattered prospector camps and the settlement of Waterloo existed in the vicinity.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional centre was driven by several reasons:

• Geography and Transport: Its unique location at the junction of two powerful waterways made Castlegar a natural transport hub. Before the construction of bridges, ferry crossings played a key role.
• Railway: The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) ensured a reliable connection with the coast and eastern provinces, stimulating trade.
• Influence of the Doukhobors: In the early 20th century (around 1908), members of the Doukhobor community moved to the region en masse. They founded neighbouring settlements (such as Brilliant) and played a decisive role in the agricultural development of the lands.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Castlegar relied on logging, agriculture, and servicing transport routes. The cultural landscape was formed under the influence of a mix of traditions from British settlers, railway workers, and the pacifist Doukhobor community. The latter brought unique farming methods to the region, planting extensive fruit orchards and building industrial enterprises, such as sawmills and jam production factories, which laid the foundation for the region's food security.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1811 — Explorer David Thompson navigates the Columbia River, creating the first maps of the region.
• 1902 — Edward Mahon officially names the settlement Castlegar in honour of his ancestral estate in Ireland.
• 1908 — The first groups of Doukhobors arrive in the region, exerting significant influence on the development of agriculture in the valley.
• 1914 — Opening of the first ferry crossing over the Columbia River, connecting the two banks.
• 1946 — Castlegar officially receives Village status.
• 1948 — The neighbouring settlement of Kinnaird is also incorporated as a separate Village.
• 1961 — Launch of the major Celgar pulp mill, which became the city's key industrial enterprise.
• 1966 — Opening of Selkirk College, which became the first regional community college in British Columbia.
• 1968 — Completion of the Hugh Keenleyside Dam construction to the north of the city.
• 1974 — Historic amalgamation of the towns of Castlegar and Kinnaird into the single City of Castlegar.
• 1987 — The Castlegar railway station, built at the turn of the century, is transformed into a historical museum.
• 2002 — The city celebrates its centenary and opens Millennium Park.
• 2010 — Castlegar begins actively developing a street art programme, subsequently receiving the unofficial title of "The Sculpture Capital of Canada".

Key Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Castlegar is a journey from a secluded crossing to an important industrial and cultural centre of the West Kootenays. Here are the main milestones that defined the modern appearance of the city:

• Railway Expansion (1890s – 1900s)
  The laying of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) tracks turned the settlement into a strategic transport hub. This provided access to sales markets for local ore and timber, stimulating the first influx of population and the construction of stationary infrastructure instead of temporary camps.
• Agrarian Colonisation by Doukhobors (from 1908)
  The arrival of the Doukhobor community radically changed the economic landscape of the valley. They turned wooded areas into fertile orchards and fields, built irrigation systems and industrial enterprises (for example, a jam production factory). This laid the foundations for the region's food independence and created a unique cultural layer.
• Industrialisation and the Launch of Celgar (1961)
  The opening of the pulp mill became a powerful driver for the economy. The enterprise provided hundreds of jobs, attracted qualified specialists, and turned Castlegar from a trading settlement into an industrial centre, which contributed to the development of housing construction and the service sector.
• Establishment as an Educational Centre (1966)
  The founding of Selkirk College — the first regional college in British Columbia — had immense social significance. The city became a point of attraction for youth and the intellectual hub of the region, allowing for economic diversification through education and science.
• Hydroelectric Construction (1968)
  The completion of the Hugh Keenleyside Dam changed the geography and ecology of the area. Regulating the water level in the Columbia River not only ensured flood protection and energy generation but also formed the modern shoreline, which became a recreation zone.
• Administrative Amalgamation (1974)
  The merger of the towns of Castlegar and Kinnaird became a crucial urban planning decision. This allowed for centralised management, combined budgets for infrastructure development, and the creation of a unified city plan, which we see today.
• Cultural Rebranding (from 2010)
  The launch of the Sculpturewalk programme became a turning point in tourism development. The city consciously moved away from the image of solely an industrial centre, betting on public art. Receiving the unofficial status of "The Sculpture Capital of Canada" attracted tourists and revitalised the city centre.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Castlegar reflects its history as a transport hub and a centre of the unique Doukhobor culture. You will not find Gothic cathedrals or Baroque palaces here; the city's appearance was formed under the influence of practicality, industrialisation, and a striving for harmony with the rugged nature of British Columbia.

The Era of Railways and Pioneers (Early 20th Century)

The city's first permanent structures were dictated by the development of transport. The dominant direction became functionalism using available timber.

• Style: Railway Style. It is characterised by standardised designs, deep roof overhangs for protection against snow and rain, as well as the use of wooden siding.
• Landmark Building: CPR Station. This is one of the oldest surviving buildings, now converted into a museum. It demonstrates the classic style of Canadian Pacific Railway stations from the turn of the century with a characteristic hipped roof and dormer windows.

Doukhobor Heritage (1908–1950s)

The migration of the Doukhobor community brought an architectural style to the region that was uncharacteristic of the rest of Canada. Their structures were distinguished by monumentality, strict geometry, and an orientation towards collective living.

• Style: Vernacular (folk) architecture, utilitarian brick style.
• Landmark Objects:
  • Doukhobor Discovery Centre: A reconstruction of a traditional settlement. Large two-storey brick houses with simple facades and gable roofs ("twin houses") were intended for the residence of large communal families.
  • Brilliant Suspension Bridge: Built in 1913, this bridge is a masterpiece of early engineering architecture and a National Historic Site.

Modernism and Industrial Growth (1960–1980s)

The post-war boom and the construction of large industrial facilities led to the appearance of buildings in the modernist style, typical of North American public institutions of that time.

• Style: Institutional modernism and elements of brutalism. An emphasis on concrete, glass, and distinct horizontal lines.
• Landmark Building: Selkirk College. The campus, opened in 1966, is successfully integrated into the landscape on an elevation. Its architecture reflects the optimism of the 60s: functional academic buildings connected by walkways, and panoramic windows overlooking the confluence of the rivers.

Modern Development (21st Century)

Modern Castlegar is moving away from purely utilitarian development in favour of creating a comfortable urban environment ("West Coast style") and integrating art into public spaces.

• Urban Planning Features: The city is divided by the river into two parts, where residential development (predominantly single-storey ranch houses and bungalows) neighbours commercial zones.
• Landmark Elements: Millennium Park and the Sculpturewalk project. The modern appearance of the centre is formed not so much by buildings as by small architectural forms and sculptures, turning the streets into an open-air gallery.

Historical Figures and Founders

• Edward Mahon
  Entrepreneur and Founder
  An Irish businessman who played a key role in the city's history. It was he who, in 1902, gave the settlement the name Castlegar in honour of his ancestral estate in Ireland. Mahon actively invested in land plots and the development of the region's infrastructure, seeing great potential in the confluence of the rivers.
• Peter V. Verigin
  Spiritual Leader of the Doukhobors
  Known as "Peter the Lordly", Verigin led the migration of the Doukhobor community to British Columbia in the early 20th century. Under his leadership, settlements were founded around Castlegar (including Brilliant), and industrial enterprises and the famous suspension bridge were built. His tomb, located on a cliff above the Columbia River, is an important historical monument.

Athletes and Modern Personalities

• Travis Green
  Ice Hockey Player and NHL Coach
  A native of Castlegar who achieved significant heights in professional ice hockey. He played more than 900 matches in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a player, and subsequently built a successful coaching career, including serving as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.
• Shawn Horcoff
  Professional Ice Hockey Player
  Although Horcoff was born in neighbouring Trail, his childhood and youth were spent in Castlegar, where he began his journey in sport. He became a famous centre forward, served as captain of the Edmonton Oilers for a long time, and played over 1000 matches in the NHL.
• Steve Junker
  Ice Hockey Player
  Another outstanding native of the city who made it to the elite of world hockey. He played for the New York Islanders and played successfully in European leagues, bringing fame to the Castlegar sports school.
• Alex Atamanenko
  Politician and Educator
  Represented the region in the Parliament of Canada for many years. Known for his active public service and contribution to the development of agriculture and food security in the region. Before his political career, he taught at the local school and college.