Walhachin

Gold Country’s ghost town, Walhachin is an ideal location to discover some of Gold Country’s beautiful provincial parks.

History

Walhachin’s pioneer heritage began with an extraordinary idea.  In 1907, an American land surveyor named Charles Barnes declared that Walhachin’s beautiful but arid landscape could be tamed with an extravagant irrigation system.  Barnes planned to start a settlement surrounded by thousands of acres of crops and orchards.  

In 1908 the town site was laid out, plots sold, 35,000 seedling fruit trees planted, and 200 people settled in the new community. The upper-class immigrants lived a life of leisure and luxury, enjoying cricket, hunting, and tennis.  A flume, many miles long, was constructed to carry water to the orchards.

When war broke out in 1914, ninety-seven of Walhachin’s one hundred and seven men enlisted with the Canadian or British forces.  The few men and women that remained could not maintain the orchards and flume.  Many of the men were killed during the war, and those who returned found the colony in hopeless disrepair.  By 1922 the dream of Walhachin had been abandoned.  

Today, Walhachin is a small and picturesque Gold Country community.  A few apple trees still grow and bear fruit. Surrounded by ranches and hobby farms, some of the original homes remain on the town site.

Things To Do

GeoTourism.

This popular treasure hunt adventure, hosted by the Gold Country GeoTourism Program, is a great way to have some outdoor fun and learn more about our region.  While in Walhachin, see if you can locate the ‘Ghost of Walhachin’ cache.  

Walhachin Bridge.

The bridge that spans the Thompson River was completed in 1912 to serve the then thriving community.  

Walhachin Flume.

The remains of this ambitious irrigation system are still visible along the hillside by the highway.  

Recreation

Juniper Beach Provincial Park.

With a campground, spots for launching canoes or kayaks, swimming and fishing, visitors can discover the beauty of the Thompson River and the spectacular surrounding scenery at Juniper Beach Provincial Park.  

Walhachin Oxbows Provincial Park.

This protected waterfowl habitat encapsulated by cottonwoods and willows is truly a unique experience.  The only way to get to the Walhachin Oxbows Provincial Park is by boat from Kamloops Lake. 

Key Facts

Population: 100