Our Railway Village site had its origins as part of the Kettle Valley Railway.

The Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) was a historic railway in British Columbia, and more particularly in the Grand Forks community that played a vital role in the economic development of the region in the early 20th century.

The KVR was built to support the burgeoning mining industry in the Southern Interior of British Columbia. Rich deposits of gold, silver, copper, and other minerals had been discovered in the region, leading to a demand for reliable transportation of goods and resources.

The railway was also meant to ensure Canadian control over transportation routes through the area, countering competition from American railroads.

The KVR was integrated into the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) system and served as a vital link for transporting minerals, lumber, agricultural products, and passengers. 

With the advent of modern highways and the decline of the mining industry, the railway’s importance began to wane. By the 1950s, parts of the KVR were being abandoned as rail traffic diminished. The last passenger service was discontinued in 1964. The final segment of the KVR was decommissioned in 1989.

Our site pays homage to it’s railway origins.