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Architectural |
Cariboo Wagon Road Mile 0
The Cariboo gold rush spurred the need for a road to be built leading to the Cariboo regions which could accommodate wagons. In 1862, Yale was to become mile zero of the new road being installed by the Royal Engineers. The first six miles north of Yale was one of the most difficult sections of the road, and where the Royal Engineers began constructing the revolutionary road. The steep river canyon cliffs had to be blasted level, and wooden bridges were built over small gullies.
The wagon road was challenging to build and challenging to navigate. The next few miles north of Yale had a varied and challenging landscape. Near Yale was Alexandra Suspension Bridge, the first bridge of its type in the west. Further along the road, at forty-four miles north of Yale, was the steepest ascent on the wagon road where travellers climbed far up Jackass Mountain. The mountain may have got its name after so many pack animals fell to their death by stepping off the road into the river canyon.
Mile zero is marked today with an official monument in Yale's Front street.
Supplies from Yale were sent to clientele up and down the Cariboo region. Food and equipment came from the Oppenheimer Brothers merchantile store.
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