Trail history

Founding and First Mentions

The history of the city of Trail is inextricably linked to the exploration of the wilderness of British Columbia and the development of mining. The settlement emerged in the 1890s as a strategic transit point on the banks of the Columbia River.

The city received its name in honour of the famous Dewdney Trail—an important trade route established through the region in the mid-19th century to supply gold prospectors. Initially, the location was known as Trail Creek Landing, where ore from the rich deposits of neighbouring Rossland was loaded onto sternwheelers.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation from a temporary camp into a fully-fledged industrial city was driven by a combination of geography and bold engineering solutions:

• The Columbia River: A powerful waterway that provided transport links to the USA and other regions, and later became a source of energy.
• Metallurgy: The decisive moment was the construction of the first smelter in 1895 by entrepreneur Fritz Augustus Heinze. This enterprise, created to process ore from Red Mountain, became the foundation of the city.
• The Railway: The acquisition of the plant by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1898 and the laying of tracks ensured the reliable export of metal to global markets.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Trail relied entirely on heavy industry, distinguishing it from many agrarian or trading settlements in the region. The plant, which later became the giant Cominco (now Teck Resources), attracted thousands of workers.

This led to the formation of a unique cultural landscape. The city became a centre of attraction for immigrants, especially those from Italy. The Italian community, settling primarily in the area known as The Gulch, had a tremendous influence on the early culture of Trail, bringing their traditions, cuisine, and love for gardening into the rugged life of metallurgists, which remains a hallmark of the city today.

Chronology of Trail's Development

• 1865 — Construction of the famous Dewdney Trail, a trade route after which the city was later named.
• 1890 — Discovery of rich ore deposits on the neighbouring Red Mountain and the founding of the Trail Creek Landing settlement by Eugene Topping.
• 1895 — Launch of the first metallurgical plant by entrepreneur Fritz Augustus Heinze to process ore from Rossland.
• 1898 — The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) acquires the plant and the railway line, ensuring access to global markets.
• 1901 — Trail officially receives city status (City of Trail).
• 1906 — The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada (CM&S) is formed through the merger of several enterprises, becoming the basis of the regional economy.
• 1916 — Introduction of a pioneering electrolytic zinc production process, significantly strengthening the city's industrial status.
• 1939 — The legendary local ice hockey team, the Trail Smoke Eaters, wins the World Championship in Switzerland for the first time.
• 1954 — Completion of the Waneta Dam on the Pend d'Oreille River to meet the growing electricity needs of the plant.
• 1961 — The second historic victory of the Trail Smoke Eaters at the World Championship, securing Trail the unofficial title of "City of Champions".
• 1966 — The city-forming company CM&S officially changes its name to Cominco Ltd (now part of Teck Resources).
• 2016 — Opening of the Columbia River Skywalk, one of the longest suspension pedestrian bridges in North America, connecting the banks of the Columbia River.

Key Development Milestones and Their Impact

The evolution of Trail is a journey from a temporary transit point to the most important industrial and cultural centre of the West Kootenay region. Each of these events not only changed the map of the city but also shaped the unique character of its residents.

• Rise of a Metallurgical Giant. The acquisition of the local smelter by the CPR and the subsequent creation of the Cominco corporation (now Teck Resources) became the economic foundation of the city. This provided Trail with stability and jobs for a century to come, turning it into one of the world's main centres for non-ferrous metallurgy.
• The Phenomenon of The Gulch District. Mass immigration of Italians in the early 20th century led to the creation of the unique "Gulch" neighbourhood. Settlers turned steep slopes into terraced gardens and built European-style houses. This cultural infusion forever changed the city's gastronomy and traditions, making it arguably the most "Italian" place in British Columbia.
• Energy Independence. The construction of the Waneta Dam in the 1950s was a turning point for industry. Access to cheap and powerful hydroelectricity allowed the plant to implement advanced zinc electrolysis methods, cementing Trail's status as a technological leader.
• Sports Glory of the "Smoke Eaters". The victories of the local Trail Smoke Eaters hockey team at the World Championships (1939 and 1961) had colossal social significance. They rallied the community of workers and gifted the small town global fame and the unofficial title "Home of Champions", of which residents are proud to this day.
• Ecological Modernisation. In recent decades, the city has undergone an important transformation, moving from the smoking chimneys of the past to modern environmental standards. Large-scale modernisation of production has significantly improved air quality and the ecology of the Columbia River valley, making the city more attractive for living and tourism.
• Urban Renewal and the Skywalk. The construction of the Columbia River Skywalk suspension bridge and the improvement of the Esplanade became symbols of a new stage in urban planning. These projects connected disparate parts of the city, created new recreation zones, and shifted the focus from a purely industrial image to the recreational potential of the river.

Urban Planning Features and Landscape

The architectural appearance of Trail is dictated by the complex terrain of the Columbia River valley and the dominance of the industrial giant in the city centre. Urban planning here did not develop according to classical canons but was subject to harsh geography: the city literally "climbs" the steep slopes of the mountains surrounding the metallurgical combine.

A unique feature of Trail's urban environment is its covered staircases. Due to steep elevation changes and snowy winters, an extensive network of public staircases with roofs (more than 60 in total) was built in the city. These replace sidewalks and connect residential areas on the hills with the city centre. This is a rare example of infrastructure adapting to the landscape.

Architectural Eras and Styles

The buildings of Trail represent a mix of utilitarian industrial architecture, colourful immigrant heritage, and functional modernism of the mid-20th century.

• Vernacular Architecture and Italian Style (Late 19th – Early 20th Century).
  This style manifested most clearly in the The Gulch district. Italian settlers brought traditions from their homeland here, adapting them to Canadian realities.
  Characteristic features: Massive dry-stone retaining walls, terraced gardens on slopes, narrow winding streets, and small houses with elements of European architecture.
• Edwardian Style and Commercial Brick Style (1900s–1930s).
  The Downtown area was formed during a period of economic prosperity. Solid two- and three-story red brick buildings predominate here, typical of trading towns in British Columbia of that time.
  Landmark objects: Historical facades on Bay Avenue and Cedar Avenue, where banks and shops were located.
• Industrial Functionalism (Throughout the 20th Century).
  The Teck Resources metallurgical complex (formerly Cominco) is the visual dominant of the city. Although it is an industrial facility, its large-scale structures, chimneys, and workshops formed the recognizable silhouette of Trail, which is impossible to ignore in the architectural context.
• Modernism and Contemporary Engineering (Late 20th – 21st Century).
  The modern stage of the city's development is aimed at revitalisation and connecting the riverbanks. Architecture is becoming lighter and focused on recreation.
  Landmark object: The Columbia River Skywalk suspension bridge (opened in 2016). This is an example of modern engineering thought, combining steel structures and aesthetic lighting, symbolising the city's transition from a purely industrial past to a tourism-oriented future.

Impact of Reconstruction

In recent decades, work has been actively underway in Trail to renovate facades in the city centre. The revitalisation programme is aimed at preserving the historical appearance of the "Silver City", emphasising its industrial heritage and the unique character of the Italian quarter.

Distinguished Personalities of Trail

Trail proudly bears the unofficial title "Home of Champions". Despite its modest size, this city has gifted Canada an amazing number of world-class athletes, and its early history is inextricably linked with the names of bold industrialists and pioneers.

• Fritz Augustus Heinze
  Industrialist and Mining Magnate (1869–1914)
  A key figure in the city's history. It was Heinze who built the first metallurgical plant in Trail in 1895 to process ore from neighbouring Rossland. His enterprise laid the economic foundation on which the city stands to this day.
• Eugene "Colonel" Topping
  City Founder and Pioneer (1844–1917)
  One of the first settlers, who purchased a plot of land at the mouth of Trail Creek. Topping played a decisive role in the planning of the early settlement, the sale of plots for development, and attracting the first investments, effectively kickstarting Trail's development as a city.
• Seth Martin
  Ice Hockey Player, Goaltender (1933–2014)
  A legend of world hockey and the Trail Smoke Eaters team. 1961 World Champion. Martin became famous for his innovative playing style and use of a mask, having a huge influence on the development of the art of goaltending. The famous goalkeeper Vladislav Tretiak called Martin his idol and teacher.
• Kerrin Lee-Gartner
  Alpine Skier (born 1966)
  1992 Olympic Champion in Albertville. She became the first Canadian woman to win Olympic gold in the downhill—the most prestigious alpine skiing discipline—forever inscribing her name and the name of her native Trail in sports history.
• Jason Bay
  MLB Baseball Player (born 1978)
  One of the most successful Canadian baseball players in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB). In 2004, he became the first Canadian to receive the "Rookie of the Year" award in the National League and participated in the All-Star Game three times. Member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Ray Ferraro
  Ice Hockey Player and Sports Analyst (born 1964)
  A native of Trail who built a successful career in the NHL, where he scored over 400 goals in 18 seasons. After retiring as a player, he became one of the most recognisable and respected hockey commentators and analysts in North America.