A National Historic Site | Britannia MIne Museum

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Archival Photos

At the Museum


Amidst the smouldering timbers of Mill 2 stands the undamaged Beach Powerhouse. Quick action saved this powerhouse from a similar fiery fate. Year 1921. BMM #10840Whether it be for fishing, paddling or shipping, water was a precious resource shared by both industry and the community. Year 1927. BMM #11044The iconic Mill 3 is one of Canada’s National Historic Sites and with good reason, given its contribution to the Canadian economy. This photo was taken not long after it opened. Circa 1923. BMM #11198An aerial tramway 5 km long brought ore from the mine – high in the mountains – down to the Mill at Britannia Beach. By 1927 transport tunnels had fully replaced the tramway as ore production increased. Circa 1911. BMM #11247Local bands entertained the community, including a brass band, pipe band, orchestra and the Boy Scouts marching band. Visiting bands provided even more musical variety. Circa 1925. BMM #11309Hustle and bustle inside the Company Store at the Mount Sheer Townsite. Here you bought supplies, checked the mail and did your banking. Circa 1950. BMM #11551
Local Union members take a firm stance on a picket line during the first legal strike for better working conditions and wages. Year 1946. BMM #11573To drive the local roads, you had to bring in your car by steamship, before the highway to Vancouver was built. Year 1953. BMM #11582The two outdoor swimming pools were extremely popular, especially this one at the Mount Sheer Townsite that was heated! Year 1951. BMM #11694The Chatterbox Café was a popular hangout for the locals. Gossip, secrets, celebrations and news…who knows what tales those walls could tell? Circa 1950. BMM #11820Known as The Big Ship, this was the largest bunkhouse at the Mount Sheer Townsite. Housing 200 men, it must have been pretty lively 24/7. Year 1920. BMM #11945Before the highway, travel to Vancouver took hours by steamship, but at least it gave folks a chance to catch up with each other. Circa 1950. BMM #12013
Staying gracious on an industrial site could not have been easy…but this Copper Queen looks like she is managing just fine during the May Day celebrations. Year 1948. BMM #12040Relaxing during some downtime. All those smiling faces on the bunkhouse wall must have been a welcome sight after a long 8 hour shift! Circa 1936. BMM #12129Elementary students attended school close to home. However teens from Britannia Beach had to make the arduous daily trip up to the Mount Sheer Townsite for high school. Circa 1910. BMM #12469These miners are working in an underground chamber to prod broken ore down a chute, in preparation for transport. Year 1940. BMM #12543High in the mountains there were few good building sites except for a narrow valley floor. This was the only safe option for the Mount Sheer Townsite, built following the landslide that wiped out the Jane Camp in 1915. Year 1945. BMM #12560This was Britannia’s version of rush hour on public transit, and a good opportunity to catch up on the local gossip! The Incline ‘Skip’ railway was part of the journey from Britannia Beach to Mount Sheer. Year 1944. BMM #12578
Government legislation of the time forbade Asians to work underground. They were restricted to surface jobs such as cooks, servants, trackmen and deliverymen. Circa 1930. BMM #12729The rail tracks have been plowed leaving a mountain of snow for these kids to play in at the Mount Sheer Townsite. Year 1938. BMM #13056The only economical way to get the processed ore from the Mill to smelters as far away as Japan was by water. Year unknown. BMM 13752The SS Quadra routinely carried processed ore from the freight wharf to smelters elsewhere.On March 22, 1915, a tragic rock and snow slide wiped out the upper Jane Basin camp. Fifty six men, woman and children lost their lives that night. For the survivors, it took hours to summon help.It was a cosy ride for the underground workers as they huddled up in the man car – a covered rail car that took them from the surface to their underground location. Year unknown. BMM #5715
 

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