HEDLEY
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HEDLEY |
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| NAME: Hedley COUNTY: Na ROADS: 2WD GRID: 6 CLIMATE: Hot all summer, cool winter. BEST TIME TO VISIT: Easy in the summer also accessible in the winter |
COMMENTS:
Beautiful scenery. REMAINS: |
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Hedley was one of the more "modern" mining camps, having its start just before the turn of the century. Earlier efforts to work claims had failed due to lack of finances. It was an M.K. Rodgers from Butte, Montana who got things going. Rodgers bought claims from two partners who did not have enough capital to continue to operate. Rodgers paid the two partners $79,000 for their claims and Hedley was on its way to becoming a boomtown. The large and elegant Similkameen Hotel was built in 1904 and the New Zealand Hotel in 1905. Both hotels were destroyed by fire, the latter in 1911, and the former in 1916. There were many profitable years for Hedley but in 1930 ore became so poor operations were suspended. A new paying vein was discovered in 1932 that extended Hedley's life. A modern village was built around the mine at the 5,000-foot level, connected with the east-west highway by a dirt road. From 1936 to 1949, the mines produced over $8,500,00 in gold. By 1955, Hedley was on its way to becoming a ghost town. In 1956, an explosion destroyed several hotels and other buildings. The ones remaining are mostly empty and faded.
Update:Hedley is like a desert in the summer, almost too hot to bare at times. We celebrated Hedley's 100th year in 1998.The Town was named after Mr Hedley who financed the ore in the late 1800's. We recently had a film shot in Hedley called The Pledge starring the great Jack Nicholson and directed by the one and only Sean Penn. This town is a great place to kick back and relax.There are many trails to hike if thats an intrest, we also have a clean river that runs through the town, many tourists and residents enjoy a nice cool swim, aah refreshing. There are two restaurants in hedley The Hiching post and the Nickleplate, both restaurants are execellent places to eat. The Hitching Post is one of a kind. The food is mouthwatering, and theres know chance of leaving hungry, portions are fit for a king. While you eat you can enjoy the wonderful art work along the walls the building one of the oldest buildings in town is well maintained. The Nickleplate located on the side of the highway #3 is also a wonderful place to enjoy a nice lunch or dinner. All of the food is homemade by a wonderful little lady maxine. Fresh daily soups, dialy lunch specials. One thing you can't go without!! Once you've tried Maxines homemade pies you will never settle for another cooks pie again,This is honestly the best pie i've ever experinced. This town is one in a million it's the prefect place to rasie a family because of the fact that the people are so outgoing everyone knows everyone. As you walk down the streets everywhere you turn theres a smilling face to greet you. Stop in and take a look at this wonderful little town you won't regret it !. Submitted by VIKTORYA BRATT. |
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