HUDSON'S HOPE, B.C.

The Town of Hudson's Hope, British Columbia is located on Highway 29 midway between Chetwynd and Fort St. John, 64 km north of Chetwynd or 90 km west of Fort St. John. Located along the Peace River, Hudson's Hope has a population of approximately 1100 people.

Hudson's Hope is the third oldest European community in British Columbia. Fur traders arrived in the area in the late 1700's. In 1805 Simon Fraser established a trade post in Hudson's Hope and at that time he was working for the Northwest Company. In 1821, when the Hudson's Bay Company and the Northwest Company merged that Rocky Mountain Portage House (known today as Hudson's Hope) became the property of the Hudson's Bay Company.

In 1913, there were only 40 settlers living near Hudson's Hope. Alwin Holland is the first teacher to come to the area in 1919 and opened a school in 1922. Alwin Holland Park is named after him, located on the Peace River 3 km south of Hudson's Hope.

Next to St Peters Church, a marker marks the homesite of James Laurence Ruxton from Aberdeen Scotland. A trapper, surveyor, writer of the Peace River Country and Helen Rand Ruxton from Oakland California, pioneers of Hudson's Hope of the 1920's and 1930's.

The main industry of Hudson's Hope is Forestry, Farming, Ranching, Oil and Gas and BC Hydro.

Peace Canyon Dam - W.A.C Bennett Dam

Seeking a route to the Pacific Ocean, Alexander Mackenzie with a party of 9 men and a canoe portaged near the W.A.C. Dam location around the year 1793 to avoid the Peace River Canyon. He was the first man to cross the Rockies.

Peace Canyon Dam is located 6 km southwest of Hudson's Hope. The hydro electric project can be seen from the Hudson's Hope bridge. Open for self-guided tours. A life size dinosaur display is located next to the power house. The dam forms Dinosaur Lake. The WAC Bennett Dam and the Peace Canyon Dam supply 40% of British Columbia's hydroelectric power. (250) 783-7400.	The W.A.C. Bennett Dam that generates electricity, is one of the main attractions of the area, located twenty minutes west of Hudson's Hope. The W.A.C. Bennett Dam Visitor Centre is open from Victoria Day to Labour Day from 10am to 6pm. Theatre presentations are offered throughout the day starting at 10:30am. You can rive across the dam. (250) 783-5000.

Hudson's Hope Visitor Information Centre is open May to September at 10507 Beattie Drive. (250) 783-9154.

Hudson's Hope Museum has the Peace Country's largest fossil collection. You can see the remains of a 200 million year old ichthyosaur plus many other fossils. See the 11,600 year old Mammoth tusk at the museum. Open April 1-October 31. 9510-Beattie Drive. (250) 783-5735.

St Peters Church. Located next to the museum. Built in 1938, it is a historic log church. (250) 783-9154.

The Hudson's Hope School is located on Holland Street. (250) 783-9994. School District No. 60. K to Grade 12 with about 100 students. School website. Tennis courts located next to the school.

Hudson's Hope has an Arena located on Arena Avenue and is used mainly for hockey. Nearby is the curling rink, and outdoor swimming pool.

Hudson's Hope Health Centre. 10309-Kyllo. (250) 783-9991

There is an abundance of wildlife in the area, including deer, moose, bear, wolf and bald eagles. Rainbow trout, arctic grayling, white fish dolly varden and northern pike are common in the lakes and rivers.