SOUTHWESTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 349

GRANITE CITY
After the discovery of a gold nugget in Granite Creek back in 1885, a 13-saloon
Gold-Rush city sprang to life on this spot. Soon it was the third-largest city in the
province, supporting a population of over 2,000. But the boom was short-lived, and
the town was quickly abandoned. What remains of Granite City lies two kilometers
(1.2 miles) from Coalmont. To get there, head straight through Coalmont to Granite
Creek, turn left on Hope Street, right over the creek, and then follow the road to a
fork. Straight ahead is the site of the boomtown, marked by a riverside cairn and the
broken-down remains of a few log buildings among wild lilac bushes—it's really up
to your imagination to re-create the good ol' days. On the bluff to the north of Granite
City (take the right fork and then the first right) is a small graveyard with headstones
showing dates from the boom years.
Just a short stroll from downtown, Riverside Motel (307 Thomas Ave. at the north end
of Bridge St., 250/295-6232, $60-75 s or d) was built in 1934 as a hunting and fishing lodge.
The aptly named motel is right beside the river, and in the height of summer the water level
drops to expose a small beach and shallow swimming hole. (Ask the owner to show you a
photo of the place taken in 1937—the cabins still look exactly the same.) Each basic cabin
has a toilet, a shower, and a kitchen with a fridge, stove, cooking utensils, crockery, and
cutlery.
The best coffee in town is poured at Cowboy Coffee (255 Vermilion Ave., 250/
295-3431, 4:30am-8pm daily in summer, 4:30am-6pm daily the rest of the year, lunches
$6-11), in a renovated residence in the heart of downtown. Seating is in cozy rooms, out
front facing the street, or on a more private patio out back. In addition to good coffee, you'll
find a wide array of inexpensive breakfasts and lunches, including toasted sandwiches,
soup, salads, and a daily special. For a meal, head over to the Princeton Hotel (258 Bridge
St., 250/295-3355, lunch and dinner daily, $9-14.50); order bistro-style at the small window
across from the bar.
At the east entrance to town, Princeton Visitor Centre (Hwy. 3, 250/295-3103,
www.princeton.ca ) is open year-round 9am-5pm, daily in summer but Monday-Friday only
the rest of the year.