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There are a number of important aspects to the development of a community. Dr. Watt's house, Johnson's Blacksmith, the City Bakery, and Doyle's warehouse are four buildings that can help in understanding Fort Steele's development as a community. These four buildings have been restored and are open to the public to provide an entertaining and interactive experience with the actors who are on site showing life as it was in the 19th century.

Since there was no doctor in Fort Steele, until 1895, members of the public often had to travel elsewhere to receive medical attention. If someone was in great need of medical services they could travel to the nearest hospital. Going to another community meant traveling on foot, horse, or by stagecoach. With the dramatic rise in population, due to the gold rush, outside communities such as Kalispell, Montana advertised the services of their hospital. British Columbia Archives (i_21527)
British Columbia Archives #i_21527

Finally Fort Steele received their first doctor (Charles Maclean) in 1895. In 1897, Dr. Watt arrived in Fort Steele and took over Maclean's medical practice. The building of Dr. Watt's house represented a permanent medical doctor in the community. Dr. Watt was very active in the Fort Steele community and was the driving force behind the building of the hospital in 1897. (Ibid., 94.)

During the height of Fort Steele's economic activity there were at least three blacksmith shops in operation. A blacksmith shop was an active place in a community during this time. Whether it was fixing wagons or making tools, it is the blacksmith who makes, mends and designs things for community use. (Ibid., 68.) The blacksmith shop also served a social function as people would conduct business, and discuss current events while marveling at the blacksmiths' skill and ability.

People had to indulge their sweet tooth once in a while and the bakery did not disappoint its customers. Using a 'wood fire oven' they made some of the finest baked goods anywhere. Some of the products that you could expect to see in this bakery would be breads, cakes, fruit, milk and butter. (Ibid., 111.) It is not known if the City Bakery was previously occupied by Mrs. Underhill or Mrs. Dilse, but we do know "Fort Steele had at its peak three bakeries". (Ibid.) The primary use of the building was a bakery, however the building has been used to sell candy, fruit, and laundry services.

Doyle's warehouse was constructed sometime in 1890's and was used to store a variety of items. Miner's travelling south for the winter months would keep their horses at Doyle's Warehouse. Owning a warehouse proved to be a smart economic investment for Doyle. (W. Andrews, "Fort Steele Doyle's Warehouse". Selected 'As Found' Drawings Projects. Vol. 4 (Victoria, B.C.: British Columbia Heritage Trust, 1985) 1.)

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Last updated 1 March 1999.
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