Introduction

Dormant Coalfields

Coal Production Takes Off

Dormant Coalfields

Coal was discovered in the Similkameen Valley near Princeton at least as early as the 1870’s.³ Limited rail connections and the availability of other sources of coal retarded the development of this coalfield, however.

A mining engineer from Princeton described the activity of the largest producing coal company in the area in the early 1910’s:

"The Princeton Coal & Land Co. are now in first class shape and have been shipping regularly for a number of years, their present production is about 100 to 400 tons per day, but owing to the delay in through transportation facilities to the Coast, at the present time they do not get extensive orders."⁴

"Princeton Collieries Miners, February 1936" BCARS F-04131

A comparison of production figures illustrates the disparity between the Yale District and Elk Valley coal mines. In 1907, the Nicola Valley Coal and Coke Company produced 10 868 tonnes of coal, while the Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company produced 876 731 tonnes.⁵

Princeton and Merritt had long been settled by this time, while the Elk Valley was only opened to settlement in 1898. By 1903 however, two railways served the Elk Valley with direct connections to major coal markets.

Soon, railways reached the Nicola, Similkameen and Tulameen Valleys. The CPR built south from Spence's Bridge on its mainline to Merritt in 1906 and to the collieries of Middlesboro the following year.⁶  

The GNR completed its VV&E as far as Princeton in 1909 and to the mines of Coalmont by 1912.⁷ Coalmont was also connected by rail in 1911 as the KVR expanded westward from Penticton.⁸

"Princeton. G.N.R. Yards, 1910. BCARS B-02757

Even with these connections, the CPR and GNR purchased most of their coal from other sources. The CPR had sought to develop a rail connection to the Merritt coalfields when labour disputes interrupted coal production on Vancouver Island.⁹ Afterwards though, the CPR found Vancouver Island coal to be better for steaming than coal from Merritt.¹⁰  

The GNR, which secured a controlling interest in the Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company in 1904, purchased most of its steam coal from this Company.

"Merritt. Middlesboro Colliery Operation, 1920's" BCARS F-01097

Next Page