Granite Creek was once one of British Columbia’s fastest-growing boomtowns.

After gold was discovered in 1885 by John Chance, thousands of hopeful miners, merchants, and fortune seekers rushed into the Similkameen Valley. Almost overnight, Granite Creek transformed from a quiet wilderness into a bustling gold rush town. By 1886, it had become one of the largest population centers in British Columbia.

But the promise of gold was never guaranteed.

In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we explore the rise and fall of Granite Creek, BC — from its dramatic gold rush beginnings to the people who built their lives around the dream of striking it rich, and the quiet remains left behind today.

Through historical newspaper accounts, early photographs, and present-day exploration, we uncover the story of a town built on hope, hardship, and the fleeting promise of fortune.

Today, only scattered foundations, rusted metal, cemetery markers, and faint traces remain in the hills near Coalmont and Princeton — but Granite Creek’s story still echoes through the Similkameen.

Topics in this episode include:

Granite Creek, BC history
Similkameen Valley gold rush
John Chance and the 1885 discovery
British Columbia ghost towns
Gold rush boomtowns
Historic newspapers and early photographs
Exploring what remains today