Our history.
Yale, B.C. was once the largest city north of San Francisco and west of Chicago.
Originally established in 1848 as a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post, Yale grew with the influx of an estimated 30,000 gold miners during the gold rush of 1858.
In the 1860’s, with the construction of the Cariboo Wagon Road, Yale became the main terminal for one of the largest sternwheeler routes in North America.
The 1880’s saw the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway, with construction headquarters housed in Yale.
About the Yale and District Historical Society.
The Yale Historic Site is a Province of British Columbia Heritage Site and is managed by the Yale and District Historical Society. The Society was formed in 1977 to gather, preserve, record and exhibit Yale’s history. The ‘Historic Yale’ story is told through the preservation and maintenance of the ‘Creighton House’ Museum, 1863 St. John the Divine Church, the On Lee property and the 1880’s Ward Tea House and B and B.
The Yale and District Historical Society (YDHS) is a non-profit, registered charitable organization, holding the current contract with the BC Heritage Branch of the Provincial Government to maintain and operate the Heritage Site and buildings.
Society Membership
If you are interesting in becoming a member of the Yale and District Historical Society please contact us.
Deb Zervini Tribute
Deb Zervini was the formative director who was instrumental in the development of Historic Yale in recent history. Please view the Zervini photo tribute, our gesture of gratitude!
Featured activities.
Explore some of our featured activities and historic experiences at Yale Historic Site
History of the Ward House
On Lee Chinese Legacy Project
Yale Pioneer Cemetery
St. John the Divine 1863
HISTORIC YALE: A Timeline
