Granite Creek In Directories And Gazettes Granite Creek has been listed in Canadian gazettes and directories for many years. The most recent listing seems to be from 1948, but as we go back in time we can see how the stature of Granite, and its relationship to other areas, has changed. There are some years missing in pages that we have, so there may be some vagueness in transition events. Also, it is not clear how accurate these listings were, nor how seriously the relatively (and increasingly) insignificant Granite Creek would have been taken in the last years. Some things do become clear through these listings. Granite Creek had a Dominion Telephone office up until the early 1920's. It is also interesting to note that Spence's Bridge and other northerly connections, were the main source of incoming goods and services for a long time - at least until the railway through Coalmont became established in late 1911. Below are some observations and highlight of the listings, followed by an abbreviated transcript from some years. In the 1889 to 1891 listings the nearest railway station was Hope, a distance of 80 miles, but apprently the access from the north was better because all goods and services came through Spence's Bridge which was 110 miles away. That was also the location of the relevant telegraph office and communication from there was by stage. Mail to Granite was weekly. Particularly noteworthy is that in 1891 Henderson's refers to Granite Creek as being in the Nicola Valley. In the 1897 edition Hendersons still list Spence's Bridge as the commercial connection with railway station telegraph and express office and they were still calling Granite Creek a mining camp in the Nicola Valley. That same year Princeton is mentioned for the first time, though without reference to commerce. An interesting discovery, if it is indeed correct, is that in 1894 there was a postmistress by the name of Mrs. Jessie Hunter. She is not on the Library and Archives Canada list. Perhaps she was an assistant or interim just before Cook assumed the position. Henderson's references Coutlee (which is just north of Merritt) for the first time in 1905, though Spence's Bridge is still the main connection. In 1910 they first mention the distance to Princeton, and that is also the first year they don't say that all goods come to Spence's Bridge. Still, Nicola is reported as the telegraph and express office. In 1918 Coalmont is mentioned, and is of course also the post office at this point, though apparently mail should still be addressed to Granite Creek. Nevertheless up until 1923 Wrigley's continues to mention the presence of a Dominion Government Long Distance Telephone office. In 1928 they list Granite as "a settlement", but the year after they changed that to "a deserted settlement", a description which they kept up until 1931. However, it should be noted that there are other records which indicate that there were at least a few residents over the next three decades. Also note that the BC and Yukon Directory from the years 1937 to 1948 lists Granite Creek as "a settlement". These Directories and Gazettes chronicle the place names of the day. From 1889 to 1948 there is not one mention of "Granite City". They also show the trades that were in demand and we can see a real emphasis on a practical life. The reader will no doubt discover their own inferences upon studying these interesting historical documents. An Abbreviated Transcription Three publications are represented in this file: 1/ Henderson's British Columbia Henderson Publishing Co., Ltd. Lby. Directory and Gazetteer Publishers. Winnipeg, Vancouver and Victoria 2/ Wrigley's British Columbia Directory 3/ BC and Yukon Directory, issued by Sun Directories Limited In the Granite Creek Preservation Society archive we have images (non searchable) of the pages with a Granite Creek listing taken from several directories, and anyone who wishes to study them further should have a look there. The file is called "Granite Creek Listings in Directories and Gazettes". The original scans, among many other British Columbia directories, can be found on the Vancouver Public Library web site with City Directories. The gazettes and directories tend to have a limited listing of people. Sometimes they are business interests who may not live in the same town but simply be able to provide services there. So, for the sake of clarity, that part has not been fully transcribed to the below abbreviated list. Anyone doing research on names is urged to consult the full pdf in the archive. One year does stand out in that it appears to be a fairly complete listing of residents. That is 1891, and therefore the whole listing for that year is included here. The latest listings, such as 1948, list no people, are very sparse, and so are shown in their entirety, as are 1890 and 1889 which are the earliest listings. ~ O. Juul Jan. 2014 ----------- Selected Listings ---------- 1948 BC and Yukon Directory - Granite Creek "settlement 1 m. from Coalmont, the P.O." This listing had remained the same every year since 1939. 1939 BC and Yukon Directory - Granite Creek "settlement 1 m. from Coalmont, the P.O." 1937 BC and Yukon Directories - Granite Creek "a settlement near Coalmont, the P.O." 1931 Wrigley's - Granite Creek - "a deserted settlement in Similkameen Prov. Elec. Dist., 12 m. w of Princeton and 1 1/4 m. from Coalmont, P.O. and nearest sta. on CPR. 1929 Wrigley's - Granite Creek - "a deserted settlement 12 m. w. of Princeton. In Similkameen Prov. Elec. Dist. Coalmont on K.V. Ry., 1 1/4 m., is P.O." 1928 Wrigley's - Granite Creek - "a settlement 12 m. west of Princeton. In Similkameen Prov. Elec. Dist. Coalmont on C.N.R., 1 1/4 m., is P.O., under which see names." 1923 Wrigley's - Granite Creek - "a settlement at junction of Granite Creek and Tulameen River (north fork of the Similkameen River), 60 miles from Courtlee, and 12 west of Princeton, in Yale Provincial Electoral District. Has Dominion Government Long Distance Telephone office. Placer mining. Coalmont, 1 1/4 miles distant, is the post office. See Coalmont for names." 1919 Wrigley's - Granite Creek - "a settlement at junction of Granite Creek and Tulameen River (north fork of the Similkameen River), 60 miles from Courtlee, and 12 west of Princeton, in Yale Provincial Electoral District. Has Dom. Govt. long distance telephone office. Address mail Granite Creek, via Coalmont post office." 1918 Wrigley's - Granite Creek - "a settlement at junction of Granite Creek and Tulameen River (north fork of the Similkameen River) 60 miles from Coutlee, and 12 west of Princeton. in Yale Provincial Electoral District. Address mail Granite Creek, via Coalmont post office." 1910 Henderson's - Granite Creek - "(See also Princeton)" "A mining camp situated at the forks of Granite Creek and Tulameen River (north fork of Similkameen River) 60 miles from Coutlee, 12 miles west of Princeton. Yale district. Railway station, telegraph and express office Nicola, also Merritt ?0 miles, Hope distant 77 miles." 1905 Henderson's - Granite Creek - "(See also Princeton.)" "A mining camp situated at the forks of Granite Creek and Tulameen river (North fork of Similkameen river). 60 miles from Coutlee. Yale district, railway station, tele- graph and express office, Spence's Bridge, dis 110 miles. Hope dis. 77. miles, but all goods come to Spence's Bridge, which is also the telegraph office used. Industries, placer mining for gold and platinum, and cattle raising." 1997 Henderson's - Granite Creek - "(See also Princeton)" "A mining camp situated at the forks of Granite Creek and Tulameen river (North fork of Similkameen river), 60 miles from Lower Nicola. Yale district, railway station, telegraph and express office, Spence's Bridge, dis. 110 miles. Hope dis. 77. miles, but all goods come to Spence's Bridge, which is also the telegraph office used. Industries, placer mining for gold and platinum, and cattle raising." 1997 Henderson's - Granite Creek - "A mining camp in the Nicola Valley, Yale district, railway station, tele- graph and express office, Spence's Bridge, dis. 110 miles, Hope, dis. 80 miles, but all goods come to Spence's Bridge, which is also the telegraph office used. Industries, placer mining for gold and platinum, and cattle raising." 1895 Williams - Granite Creek - "Postmaster F. P. Cook." "In the Dominion Electoral District of Yale-Kootenay and Provincial, West Riding of Yale. Communication by stage from Spence's Bridge, the nearest railway station, telegraph and express office." 1894 Williams - Granite Creek - "Postmistress, Mrs. Jessie Hunter." "In the Electoral District of Yale, and Joining the Tulameen river from the south, 9 miles from its mouth. Communication by stage from Spence's Bridge." 1891 Henderson's - Granite Creek - "A country post office in the Nicola Valley, Yale district. Railway station and express office, Spence's Bridge, dis 110 miles, Hope, dis 80 miles, but all goods come to Spence's Bridge, which is also the telegraph office used. Industries, placer mining for gold and platinum, and cattle raising. Mail monthly. Pop 50." Postmaster, W. T. Thompson Allison J. G., J.P., gen store and rancher, Princeton Archer Samuel, miner Baird Jos. Stuart, miner Blackson Samuel, gen store Bowes Jas., miner Brady Jas., miner Ruchern John, miner Catamach Louis, miner Cairns Jas., miner Cameron Richard, miner Cameron Duncan, miner Cand August, miner Cook F. Pl, of Cook & Co. Cook & Col, gen store Collett Jos. Richard, miner Coyne Jas., miner Cummings Andrew, miner Elliott Thos., clerk Folley Michael, miner Florence Jos., miner Fraser Daniel, miner Gallagher Chas., miner Graham John D., miner Goodbrand Geo., miner Gray Samuel, miner Green Wm., miner Harvey Richard, miner Houghton Wm., fmr. Hunter Jos., miner Hunter Hugh, Govt agent and dept sheriff Innis Alex., miner Jordan Edward, miner Johnston Arthur Geo., gen store Jones Henry, miner Jones Edward, miner Kelly Jas., miner King Jas., miner King John, miner King Albert, miner Kyle Wm. J., miner Lamonthe Angus, miner Leodvis Gladwin, miner Lucal Alonzo, miner Maloney Henry, miner Maniam Wm., rancher Martin John, miner McCaskill Malcolm, miner McCauley Geo, miner McDonald Duncan A., miner McDonald J. J., miner McDonald John, miner McDonald John, miner McDougall W. C. McKay David, miner McKay Gordon, miner McKinnon John, blacksmith McKinnon Fanchlin, miner McLellan Duncan, miner McNicoll Alex., miner McPhee Jas., miner McQueen Geo., miner Merritt Wm., miner Mills John, miner Mills Edward, miner Mnaft F., mine owner Murphy Thomas, mine owner Nicholls Wm., miner Noble J. Wm., miner Odier Lewis, miner Ogburn Geo. Sl, miner O'Niel W. E., miner Oxley Frederick, miner Paul Andrew, miner Paul George H., blacksmith Parker foster, miner Pasco John, miner Payne John, miner Pearce Samuel, miner Ptrin Frank, miner Picard Frank E., shoemaker Pomeroy John, miner Rankin Donald, mine owner Reardon J. C., mine owner Rivers T. A., miner Ross Geo. Henry, miner Slater Geo., miner Smith D. Wm., miner Stewart John W., miner Sullivan J., mine owner Swan Alexander, mining expert Synon P. H., mine owner Taylor Wm., miner Tearney Jas., miner Thomas Edward, miner Thomas Edward Chas., miner Thomas W. W., postmaster and gen store Thyane J., cattle rancher and farmer Tregillus Alfred, miner Wallace Jas., saloonkeeper Wanrobe Barry, merchant Watson William, miner Welch John, miner White Ralph, miner Willard Chas., miner Willam Jas., miner Williams Chas. W., miner Woolcock Henry, miner --- (this shorter listing was in the same edition) 1891 Henderson's - "A settlement in the Yale district. Hope, dis 70 miles, is the nearest railway station." Allison J. F., gen store and rancher Bryant L., blacksmith Cook & Col, gen store Derby James, miner Dodd James, miner Donavan Timothy, hotel Dubois Peter, miner Thompson W. T., gen store Wallace James, saloon 1890 Henderson's - Granite Creek - "A country post office in the Nicola Valley, Yale District. Nearest railway station and telegraph Hope, dis 80 miles. Mail weekly. Mining is the principal industry." Postmaster, W. T. Thompson Allison J. F., gen store and rancher Blackson Samuel, gen store Bryant L., blacksmith Cook & Co., gen store Jansen William Johnston Arthur George, gen store McDougall W. C. McKinnon John, blacksmith Paul George H., blacksmith Picard Frank E., shoemaker Thompson W. Tl, postmaster and gen store Tunstall G. C., gold comm and stipendiary magistrate 1889 Henderson's - Granite Creek - "A country post office in the Yale Kootenay District, Nearest railway station and telegraph Hope, dis 80 miles. Mail weekly." Cook & Col., general store Jansen William, postmaster McDougall. W. C. Thompson W. T., general store ---------------------------------------------