TRESTLE AT GLENSIDE

The city of Phoenix was located near the top of the moutain and had its heydays during the mining boom. Copper ore was extracted and railroads carried the raw material to the smelters in Greenwood and Grand Forks. Those rail lines, long abandoned, have now been resurrected as nature trails. Many groups and individuals of the surrounding communities, under the leadership of the Phoenix Interpretive Forest Society cleared and marked these trails.

At the Millinnium, the old city of Phoenix would have started their 100 year birthday celebration, if it had not been abandoned to become a ghost town and then erased from the earth. Yes, erased is the only way to speak of it, because nothing remains of the town site today, except the cemetary and a cenothaph, honouring the fallen men and women of Phoenix giving their lives for their country during war--cold reminders that life is short for man and his constructions. Some of these constructions are still visible along the railroad lines and tourists can view remains of timbered trestles, mine entrances, railroad car parts and stone ovens used for baking. While enjoying the items, the visitor is surrounded by wilderness, wildlife and fresh air. Nature has reclaimed her territory.

PHOENIX TOWNSITE, 1919

Whatever your mode of motion, you will find a trail for yourself that is unique through its historic significance. The rairoads that used to compete fiercely for the mined ore are long gone; the open mine pit remains and the awe of the visitor inspires the Phoenix to rise again. (Please note, the old town site of Phoenix is privately owned and is posted no trespassing).

Gold was the attraction in the Boundary area. It was discovered at Rock Creek in 1860, followed by discoveries on Boundary Creek. The rush didn't last long and by 1862, the placer mining had petered out and for 30 years prospectors took little interest in the boundary area. In 1891 an old placer miner from Rock Creek named Henry White, discovered a rich copper deposit and staked the "Knob Hill" claim above the site that would later become the town of Phoenix. For five years staking took place all over Greenwood Campsite, as Phoenix was known at the time. At first there was little development due to low mineral prices and high mining costs. However, in 1896, the extent of the ore body was finally realized and mining and stock piling of ore commenced.

WRECK OF CPR TRAIN ABOVE COLTERN

At the turn of the century the only economical way to move ore from the mines to smelters was by rail and the competition to build, own and manage the railroad companies was fierce. Both American and Canadian financiers wanted control of this lucrative trade. In 1899, the Canadian Pacific Railroad, anxious to keep this new found wealth out of American hands, began the Columbia and Western branch line from Robson (near Castlegar) to Grand Forks, Greenwood and Phoenix, arriving in Phoenix in May 1900. The same year the smelter in Grand Forks was "blown in" (first firing of the furnace). However, the Canadian Pacific line had steep grades (as much as 3.5%, on this line) and there were several spectacular wrecks.

Canadian control did not last long. J.J. Hill, an American acting for the Great Northern Railroad (GN), purchased controlling interest in the Granby Smelter (now Grand Forks) in 1905 and a year later had completed a rail line to Phoenix. This was an easier route with less than 2.5% grade. That allowed Great Northern to take over most of the ore hauling business. An agreement with CPR must have been reached as the two railroads joined at Coltern (Oro Denoro Junction) and at Phoenix also, GN used CPR's spurs to connect to the mines in the area. At the peak of production the railways were hauling 5000 tons of ore per day. This boom period lasted until 1919 when low copper prices forced the closure of the mines and brought an end to railroading in Phoenix.