FORT ST. JOHN

The City of Fort St. John is located on the northeast part of British Columbia, which is also part of the Peace Country. Located 75 km north of Dawson Creek or 214 km west of Grande Prairie, Alberta. Fort St. John has a population of approximately 18,000 serving a trading area of over 60,000.

Fort St. John was established in 1794 as the first trading post and the oldest non-native settlement in British Columbia. In 1821, when the Northwest Company amalgamated with the Hudson's Bay Company and the Fort (known as Fort d'Epinette) it was renamed Fort St. John. In 1905 the Northwest Mounted Police established their post in Fort St. John. In 1913 there were only about 30 settlers living here and a few years later the telegraph arrived. The first school was built in 1923. In 1951 oil was first discovered which led to the discovery of the Westcoast Energy's 1st natural gas field. It wasn't until 1958 that the Pacific Great Eastern Railway arrived. Fort St. John became a city in 1975.

The Alaska Highway begins at Dawson Creek, British Columbia "Mile O, and continues on through the Yukon and into Alaska for 1500 miles. It was started in World War II, as a route to transport equipment from Canada and the United States. The highway took eight months to complete and opened in 1942. Fort St. John's population exploded in 1942 from 200 to more than 6000.

The economy of Fort St. John is primarily oil and gas, also forestry and agriculture play a big part for this community. Tourism and hydroelectric power generation. There are over 300,000 tourists that travel through the area on the Alaska Highway each year. The Alliance Pipeline from Northeast British Columbia to Chicago, USA, has benefited Fort St. John (3100 km natural gas pipeline). The Canfor/LP Peace Valley OSB Plant has come on stream in the fall of 2005 and is the largest OSB in the world. It is owned by Canfor Corporation and Lousiana-Pacific Corporation and produces 820 million sq.ft. of 3/8" panel annually. It employs approximately 140 people.

The first airport in Fort St. John was built in 1938. It is now located on the east side of the city.
Fort St. John Airport

Totem Mall includes over 30 stores (including Staples, Marks Work Wearhouse, Coles, Ernies Sports Experts) and a number of restaurants. Home of the Aurora Cinema Centre. Located next to Highway 97. 9600-93 Avenue. (250) 785-3537. Smaller Malls include the Northgate Mall at 10434-100 Street and the Co-op Mall located at 9831-98A Avenue.

Many things to do in and around Fort St. John, from mountain biking, fishing, hiking, canoeing, bowling and a whole lot more.

Home of the Fort St John Flyers (Senior Hockey Team) NPHL, that challenges other teams in the Peace Country including the Grande Prairie Athletics, Hythe Mustangs, High Prairie Regals, Fairview Kings, Lakeland Eagles (from McLennan) Falher Pirates, Peace River Stampeders, and Valleyview Jets. . .NPHL Hockey Schedule

Fort St John Minor Hockey, Fort St John Huskies
Fort St John Flyers

Fort St John Flyers Win the Cup.
The North Peace Hockey League finals wrapped up Tuesday Night in Grande Prairie (March 24, 2009) as the Fort St John Flyers defeated the Grande Prairie Athletics four games to two.

Fort St John Enerplex (a multi-use facility) opens in the fall of 2009. (view picture)

Special Events: In January Fort St John celebrates the High on Ice Winter Carnival. April has the Peace River North Festival of Performing Arts. Each May the Peace River Zone Theatre Festival takes place. July 1st the Celebration continues with the Canada Day Celebrations. Also in July many enjoy the Doig River Stampede and Dane-Zaa Days. August is the North Peace Fall Fair as well on the August long weekend is the Great Canadian Welding Competition.

2010 EVENTS OF THE PEACE COUNTRY

The Honey Place is the world's largest Glass Beehive. Open year round Monday to Saturday. Fresh honey is available. Located 7 km south of Fort St. John at Mile 42 of the Alaska Highway. (250) 785-4808.

W.A.C. Bennett Dam that generates electricity is one of the main attractions of the area located twenty minutes from Hudson's Hope. (Hudson's Hope is 86km west of Fort St. John). The dam was built in 1967. The Visitor Reception Centre is also located overlooking Williston Lake. (250) 783-5211.

Peace Canyon Dam life size dinosaur display is located next to the power house. The dam forms Dinosaur Lake. The Peace Canyon Dam is open for selfguided tours from 8am-4pm, Monday-Sunday (May-October). Open 8am-4pm Monday-Friday the rest of the year. The WAC Bennett Dam and the Peace Canyon Dam supply 40% of British Columbia's hydroelectric power. (250) 783-9943.

Fort St John Chamber of Commerce

Schools:
Alwin Holland Elementary. 10615-96 Street. (250) 785-6125. school website
Bert Ambrose Elementary. 9616-115 Avenue. (250) 785-2321. school website
Bert Bowes Jr. Secondary. 9816-106 Street. (250) 785-6717.
CM Finch Elementary School. 10904-106 Street. (250) 785-8580. school website
Dr. Kearney Junior Secondary. 10723-92 Street. (250) 785-8378. school website
Duncan Cran Elementary School. 8130-89 Avenue. (250) 787-0417.
Fort St John Central Elementary School. 10215-99 Avenue. (250) 785-4511.
North Peace Secondary School. 9304-86 Street. (250) 785-4429. school website
Robert Ogilvie Elementary. 9907-86 Street. (250) 785-3704.
Christian Life School. 8923-112 Avenue. (250) 785-1432. school website
Dorse Prosser Adventist Elementary. 7920-96 Avenue