Page 19 - Xi-an China Terracotta Warriors

Photo: Thomas Drasdauskis

the House Hotel Saloon for danc- then sold his shares and moved on.
ing and mingling to the bluegrass The town was named after him as
tunes of the Milburn Mountain a tribute to his generosity in help-
Band, and a grand finale fireworks ing out his neighbours in the town
display at approximately 10:00 pm. with loans, which dwindled his as-
sets considerably. He died a pau-
With a unique streetscape of 125+ per, having spent his final years
heritage buildings, authentic dis- living in a men’s rooming house in
plays, satellite museums, restau- Victoria on July 11, 1894.
rants, shops and accommodations,
Barkerville still has lots to explore “So many of the guys who hit it big
– including a fascinating and sub- in gold rushes wind up with a simi-
stantial library and archives. lar story, they may not be destitute
but the riches of their youth tend to
“It’s really been in the last cou- disappear,” said Douglas. “In Barker’s Echo Valley Ranch & Spa ~ Lose Yourself in the Magic
ple of decades that people have case it was particularly sad because
started to realize what a resource here’s the guy who’s the reason that
Barkerville is for research into British Columbia is the way it is today
what was happening not only in and he was buried in an unmarked
British Columbia but the entire grave in Ross Bay cemetery.”
world through-out the 19th and
early-20th centuries,” said Douglas. Barkerville will be open May 17
for a sesquicentennial season that
Billy Barker’s mine produced runs through September 30.
37,500 ounces of gold, worth $50 evranch.com • info@evranch.com • 1.800.253.8831
million in today’s market. Barker For more information go to
worked the claim for two seasons, barkerville.ca
Located in the heart of BC’s Cariboo Country, 5 hours from Vancouver.
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