Nakusp

For other uses, see Nakusp (disambiguation).
Nakusp
Village
Village of Nakusp[1]
Nakusp

Location of Nakusp in British Columbia

Coordinates: 50°14′36″N 117°48′1″W / 50.24333°N 117.80028°W / 50.24333; -117.80028
Country  Canada
Province  British Columbia
Region Arrow Lakes, West Kootenay
Regional district Central Kootenay
Founded 1892
Incorporated 1964
Government
 • Governing body Nakusp Village Council
 • Mayor Karen Hamling
Area
 • Total 8.05 km2 (3.11 sq mi)
Elevation 457.2 m (1,500.0 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 1,574 [2]
 • Density 195.2/km2 (506/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC-8)
Area code(s) 250 / 778 / 236
Highways 6, 23
Website Village of Nakusp

The Village of Nakusp /nəˈkʌsp/ (Sinixt neqo'sp,[3]) is a village located on the shores of Upper Arrow Lake, a portion of the Columbia River, in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia. It has a population of around 1,574, and it is known primarily for its nearby hot springs, which are a popular destination for tourists, as well as its picturesque mountain lakeside setting.

History

The area around Nakusp was occupied by aboriginal peoples from the Secwepemc, Sinixt and Ktunaxa peoples. In 1811, the first reported European explorer on the Arrow Lakes was Finan McDonald, an associate of David Thompson.[4]

The waterfront walkway

European settlers arrived in 1890, and the settlement took shape in 1892 with opening of the first post office, the first store and the first sawmill. The nearest train link was the CPR at Revelstoke, so all goods were shipped to the fledgling port of Nakusp. In 1954, the last of the sternwheelers, the Minto, was retired.

The construction of the Keenleyside Dam north of Castlegar in 1968 and the resulting rise of the lake level caused the rearrangement of the village and its waterfront.[5]

Mining was historically the most important industry in the area, but it was eclipsed by forestry which is today the major economic base of the village.[6]

Services

Nakusp beach

Nakusp has a recreational centre that consists of an ice rink, squash court, curling rink and an auditorium as well as outdoor tennis courts and a soccer field around a five-hectare park. Arrow Lakes Hospital serves the village and surrounding communities. There is an elementary school, a high school, and a campus of Selkirk College. The schools are part of School District 10 Arrow Lakes which has its board office in Nakusp. The area also provides many opportunities for recreation, including the Summit Lake Ski Hill, a short drive out of town towards New Denver.

Nakusp's welcome sign

Culture

Nakusp is home to a community radio station, CJHQ-FM, and a small library and museum containing numerous local historical artifacts of the indigenous and settler communities of the region.[7]

In 2004 the village held its first Nakusp Music Fest, which proved to be a popular attraction. It was known as the Interior's largest classic rock festival, although classic rock isn't the only genre being played. The Nakusp Music Festival is no longer running, coming to an end in 2011.

Notable people

Brad Larsen is a professional ice hockey left winger who played several seasons in the National Hockey League.

Climate

The marina in Nakusp 
Waterfront view 
Waterfront Walk 
Access to the Waterfront 
Looking west on Broadway Street 
Shops on Broadway street 
The Hut 
Nakusp Fire Hall 
Cenotaph 
Nakusp Museum and Library 
Sturgeon-nosed canoe and information on traditional Sinixt culture at the Nakusp Museum 
Along the road to Nakusp Hot Springs 


See also

References

  1. ↑ "British Columbia Regional Districts, Municipalities, Corporate Name, Date of Incorporation and Postal Address" (XLS). British Columbia Ministry of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  2. ↑ Statistics Canada - 2011 Census.
  3. ↑ Pryce, Paula. Keeping the Lakes Way, University of Toronto Press, 1999, p154, quoted Verne Ray, James Teit
  4. ↑ http://www.nakusp.com/siteengine/activepage.asp?PageID=3 Village of Nakusp History
  5. ↑ Wilson, J.W. (1973). People in the Way. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press.
  6. ↑ http://www.nakusp.com Village of Nakusp History
  7. ↑ http://www.nakusp.com Community Info
  8. ↑ "Calculation Information for 1981 to 2010 Canadian Normals Data". Environment Canada. Retrieved July 9, 2013.

Coordinates: 50°14′36.1″N 117°48′00.6″W / 50.243361°N 117.800167°W / 50.243361; -117.800167 (Naksup)

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