Residents of the Princeton and Coalmont areas took a first step towards protecting the heritage aspects of the site of Granite City with an adoption by the regional district Community Services Committee.
On May 16, the committee agreed to place Granite Creek on the Community Heritage Register. In addition, the RDOS will notify the province of its action.
“This has been a long standing issue for the residents of Granite Creek,” said Rural Projects Coordinator Lindsay Bourque, who spoke to the board about the motion.
The motion will allow the citizen’s group to apply for funds to provide signage that outlines the site’s history, and remind visitors to respect the area.
Electoral Area “H” Director Brad Hope told the board that Granite City was an “interesting place,” noting that active mining claims still exist in the area.
“The cemetery needs some maintenance and repairs, and residents would like to put some money into that,” he added.
Granite Creek was once the location of a town of two thousand people, participants in the 1885 placer gold rush to the creek. It was discovered by local cowboy Johnny Chance, who discovered a nugget in Granite Creek.
The regional district is presently developing a heritage strategic plan. Following that, a Regional Heritage Register will be developed, at which time local existing community registers would be amalgamated. Community Heritage registers do not, however, put limits on the changes a heritage property owner may make to his or her historic place. It does not constitute designation or any other type of formal protection of an historic place, or create financial liability for the local government.