Travel Reference
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mining cottages and a downtown that was “Bavarianized” in the 1970s to attract more vis-
itors. A few downtown shops and businesses have been decorated Bavarian-style with dark
wood finish and flowery trim, steep triangular roofs, fancy balconies, brightly painted win-
dow shutters, and flower-filled window boxes.
Although named for a famous South African diamond mine, Kimberley boomed as a
result of the silver and lead deposits unearthed on nearby North Star Mountain. The depos-
its were discovered in 1892, and by 1899 over 200 claims had been staked. As was so often
the case, only operations run by larger companies proved profitable. The last of these, and
one of the world's largest lead and zinc mines, Cominco's Sullivan Mine, closed in late
2001 as reserves became exhausted.
Sights
Strolling the Bavarian Platzl, you'll feel as though you've just driven into a village high in
the Swiss Alps, with only bell-wearing cows and brightly dressed milkmaids missing. This
is the focus of downtown: a red-brick pedestrian plaza complete with babbling brook, orna-
mental bridges, and the “World's Largest Cuckoo Clock.” At the far end of the Platzl, Kim-
berley Heritage Museum (250/427-7510, 9am-4:30pm Tues.-Sat. July-Aug., 1pm-4pm
Mon.-Fri. Sept.-June, donation) houses mining-history exhibits, a stuffed grizzly bear, and
displays relating to local recreation.
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