Burns Lake is a rural village situated at the heart of the Lake Districts, surrounded by a necklace of immaculate lakes and the mountains of Tweedsmuir Park. Burns Lake was established in 1911 when the workers who helped build the Grand Trunk Railway refused to leave the beautiful area once construction was done.
These days, it is best known as a hub for saw-milling, mining, logging and tourist industries. Of the six local First Nations communities, two are located in town, making Burns Lake one of the only communities in B.C that have almost equal populations of Native and non-Native descent. These local nations include Wet'suwet'en First Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Cheslatta Band, Burns Lake band, Skin Tyee band and Nee Tahi Buhn band.
This, in combination with a number of historical buildings built in the early 20th century can be said to assure the visitor a place of cultural richness infused with local talent.
Bucket of Blood Building
Burns Lake | Historic Sites | Museums |
The bucket of blood was the first house constructed in Burns Lake and is located on the Museum grounds at the Heritage Centre. Built by Lyster Pelham Trygarn Mulvany ('Barney'), the founder of...
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Burns Lake Native Development Corporation (formerly the Burns Lake Hospital)
Burns Lake | Unique Sites |
The Old Hospital was built in 1931 by Mrs. Gordon of the Women’s Missionary Society of the United Church of Canada and was officially opened in 1932. There as suggestion the new hospital be named...
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First Nations Clan Carvings
Burns Lake | Aboriginal Attractions |
First Nations artist Ben Gerow for the Ts'il Kaz Koh First Nation, otherwise known as the Burns Lake Band. Gerow has completed four large red cedar clan carvings that are placed in various...
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Heritage House
Burns Lake | Historic Sites | Museums |
This house was the home of the first forest warden and his family and was built in 1938. The house is now home to the Lakes District Museum and the Chamber of Commerce Tourist Office is next...
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Lakes District News
Burns Lake | Historic Sites |
This is the old Police Building Constructed in 1920, which was the District's police residence, courthouse and jails until the 1950's. It was built by Carl Osberg in 1920. It was renovated as a...
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Opal Beds
Burns Lake | Natural Settings |
The Eagle Creek area just west of Burns Lake is one of the few localities of previous opals in British Columbia. In the early 1980s John Shelford discovered the opals and staked the mineral...
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St John’s Anglican Church & Old Rectory
Burns Lake | Historic Sites |
The St. John’s Anglican Church, located on First Avenue, was constructed in 1927 by J.H. Kerr, the resident priest at that time, and was opened to the public in 1929. With a prominent hillside...
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The Lakes Artisan Centre
Burns Lake |
The Lakes Artisan Centre opened June 2010 as a cooperative. It was formed because a group of local artists and artisans were looking for a space to showcase their creations to both local residents...
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