Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada
as presented by the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin

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At the corner of
Borland and 4th
Location & Map

Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada

The museum is located in Williams Lake and therefore features the history of Williams Lake, including the ranching industry which, over the past 150 years, has created numerous stories from the colourful characters known as ranchers and cowboys. Forestry and mining, also featured, have had a huge impact in area development, but it's the ranching industry that has been around the longest.

The first newcomers to the Cariboo Chilcotin area of BC were fur traders. They left few footprints. The Great Cariboo Gold Rush, however, began in 1858, and while it lasted less then a decade, it opened the doors for the cattlemen.

The museum has written and published a complete history of Williams Lake from the days of the fur trade to present. The title of the book is "Williams Lake the Heart of the Cariboo". See the Gift Store.

We can not forget the artistic side of cowboy culture! The Museum has work from local painters and crafts people on display as well as for sale in the Gift Store.