Cottonwood House Historic SIte

 place with historical importance, historic landmark, historical building, historic site

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Cottonwood House is one of only a few surviving roadhouses that were built for miners en route to the Cariboo Gold fields. Constructed on the Cariboo Wagon Road between 1864 and 1865, Cottonwood House served miners and travelers heading to Barkerville and the Cariboo Gold fields, or returning to Quesnel and Victoria. Horses were changed and hearty meals were offered to stage coach drivers and passengers, as well as accommodation. In the General Store across from the house, all the hardware and provisions needed for survival in the mountain wilderness were available. John Boyd's family welcomed travelers and managed the site between 1874 and 1951! Cottonwood used to serve as a telegraph office for the Overland Telegraph, and you can still see some of its poles and wires here.

Cottonwood House is situated between the Cottonwood River and Highway 26, 28 km east of Quesnel and on your way to Barkerville. The original Cariboo Wagon Road runs right through the property as it heads toward the famous goldfields of the Barkerville district. Cottonwood is only a 25 minute drive from Quesnel and a 40 minute drive from Barkerville.

Cottonwood House is managed by School District 28 (Quesnel). For further information, please visit the Cottonwood House website at: www.cottonwoodhouse.ca/

The Gold Rush Trail ( bcheritage.ca/cariboo/ ) is Canada's Digital Collections website that provides a look at the Fraser River Gold Rush of 1858, the discoveries in the Cariboo in 1861 and the construction of the famous Cariboo Wagon Road.

Cabins, guest house, RV and tent sites are available accommodation.