Trail Historical Society

04/30/2026

We are so looking forward to the Trail Silver City Days parade! Ferguson's Castle will participating! See you there!

01/07/2026

12/15/2025

Our 2026 commemorative calendar is now on the shelves! Each image is representative of a formative event or influence on Trail's settlement and growth as we celebrate 125 years of Trail next year. This project is generously supported by Teck Trail Operations and Trail Historical Society.

These make perfect Christmas gifts, so drop by our gift shop until December 24th to pick up this special edition calendar! $20.00 + tax.

Would you like it shipped? Give us a call at 250.364.0829 to make arrangements.

12/12/2025

It's difficult to believe that 30 years ago, the C.H. Wright Pool was entirely filled in and construction began on the Trail Aquatic & Leisure Centre.

The C.H. Wright Pool opened in 1961, another major project of the Trail District Recreational Projects Society that served as the active lobbyer and fundraiser for most of Trail’s recreation facilities. Other projects included the Butler Park Grandstands, the Gyro Park Outdoor Theatre, and the Trail Memorial Centre. It was named for Charles H. Wright, a brilliant chemist with Cominco, who served as the society’s chair for many years, among many other public welfare organizations. He was known as “Mr. Trail” for his contributions to our growing community. He died in January, the year before the pool opened.

The Wright Pool served Trail in the summer months for 34 years before the Trail Aquatic & Leisure Centre became a reality. Nearly four decades of youth learned to swim there. At one point, the pool was split into a shallow end and deep end, with the installation of a walkway. The pool had two diving boards and those signature concrete cubbies along the pool deck.

The year 1995 was a busy one for Council and the regional district. That spring, several public open houses were held throughout the region pitching the benefits of a regionally-funded aquatic and fitness facility. Attendance outside of Trail was underwhelming. The referendum was held on April 8, 1995. In total, 7,934 votes were cast and the margin was tight: 3,917 voted in favour (49.4%), while 4,017 (50.6%) voted against.

The result did not deter Trail Mayor Sandy Santori, Council, or the dedicated volunteers of the Trail Aquatic Centre Project Society, despite regional supposition predicting the issue would fade away.

Council wanted to make good on its promise and Trail residents voted on the same issue again, just over two months later, with a 75% in favour of moving forward. Of the 6,000 residents able to vote, 3,240 turned out, with 2,430 showing their support for the project.

The Trail Aquatic & Leisure Centre opened on Saturday, October 26, 1996, with considerable fanfare. It continues to serve the region nearly 30 years later.

12/06/2025

We are here today promoting our 3D heritage building ornaments! Come down and enjoy 10% off!

Don't forget to drop by tomorrow! We have a fun family day planned and Santa is ready!

12/03/2025

Thank you for your patience!

The 2026 Trail Museum & Archives Calendar is at the printer! The minute they arrive, we'll share the news.

If you wish to place a hold, please give us a call and we'll reach out directly to you when they go on sale.

250.364.0829 or [email protected]

11/13/2025

Our next Hot Stove League session occurs Friday, November 14, beginning at 10:30 AM.

We look forward to seeing you!

10/26/2025

We are thrilled to welcome local celebrity Greg Nesteroff for the Trail launch of his long-awaited book, The King of Sandon!

🗓 Saturday, November 8, 2025
🕘 2:00 PM
📍 Trail Museum & Archives in the Riverfront Centre (1505 Bay Avenue) - Multipurpose Room

Hear about Greg's research, learn more about Kootenay history, and enjoy some cake and coffee. Copies of Greg's book are available for sale in the Gift Shop!

10/21/2025

This year, we are honoured to partner with the Mexican Community - Kootenay Boundary to present a Dia De Mu***os altar (Day of the Dead) to add to the Spooktacular activities!

We invite the community to bring a photo of a late family member, friend, or pet to place on the altar, in celebration of their lives. The altar has been lovingly curated with traditional Mexican cultural items and will remain up until November 3.

🎃 Saturday, October 25, 2025
🕘 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
📍 Trail Museum & Archives (Trail Riverfront Centre)

We look forward to welcoming you!

10/10/2025

This week, Trail Blazers heads back seventy years to October 1955, as representatives returned home from the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Prince George. Trail’s mayor, E.G. Fletcher, was elected president of the UBCM at that convention, the first of three Trail mayors to be elected to the role.

Emil Fletcher came into the mayoral role mid-1948, following the flood that devastated Trail. He replaced the late J.E. Bryan, whose untimely passing occurred in July.

So, what did Mayor Fletcher bring back to Council from UBCM? Delegates were calling for the removal of school tax from the property taxation fee schedule, indicating it was a service to people, not to land. Also discussed was the cost of policing.

Another issue we’re still debating at the provincial and national? The West Kootenay movement to switch permanently to Mountain Standard Time, meaning no biannual time change. Mayor Fletcher squashed hopes for a local referendum at the October 17, 1955, City Council meeting, stating that municipalities lack any authority to seek input on a permanent time change. He took a meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Hon. W. Black, who stressed his concern that West Kootenay politicians were planning to address the topic through plebiscites, despite many East Kootenay having made the switch many years prior.

Many may recall the province undertook an engagement survey in summer 2019, which saw 223,273 residents of BC submit responses. The result? Over 93% supported leaving the clocks alone, avoiding the “spring ahead” and “fall back” health repercussions. A limited number, though, recognized the value in time changes, specifically commuters focusing on safety. Surveys showed a belief that any change to the clocks in BC would require the same of our neighbours, including those to the south.

In October 2019, the government made provisions for a future switch to permanent daylight savings, only when western US states and the Yukon do the same.

Remarkably, Mayor Fletcher’s presidency with the UBCM was short-lived, following his dramatic defeat in the December 8, 1955, election by L.A. Read. He was replaced by the mayor of Prince Rupert.