Lillooet is a small town located on the Fraser River in the Interior region of British Columbia. It is located on Highway 99, the Sea to Sky Highway between Pemberton (100 km to the southwest) and Cache Creek (90 km to the east), and about 65 km north of Lytton (where the Thompson flows into the Fraser, and on the main Trans-Canada #1 Route) via highway 12. Lillooet, with approximately 2,300 residents is situated approximately 240 kilometers northeast of Vancouver.
Lillooet is surrounded by dramatic mountain in the Fraser Canyon region, where the Fraser River flows through the Coast Mountain Range. The surrounding area around Lillooet is known for its hiking trails, fishing along the Fraser River, and access to nearby provincial parks and wilderness areas.
Lillooet History
The Lillooet area has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples of the Stl’atl’imx (pronounced “Stah-letch-m”) Nation for thousands of years.
Fur traders for the Hudson’s Bay Company, began exploring the interior of British Columbia in the early 1800s and established Fort Alexandria in 1821.
. In 1858, gold was discovered along the Fraser River, leading to a rush of prospectors hoping to strike it rich. Lillooet became a key transportation and supply center for those traveling to the goldfields over the next decades. The town experienced rapid growth as prospectors flocked to the area in search of gold. Many historic wooden buildings from this era still stand today. The Old Suspension Bridge, which was once a crucial river crossing for miners and settlers, was constructed in 1913.
Despite the disruptions caused by the fur trade and gold rush, the Stl’atl’imx people have maintained their cultural traditions and continue to play an essential role in the community. Today, Lillooet is part of the traditional territory of the Stl’atl’imx Nation.
The Chinese Rock Pile is a historical site in Lillooet, representing the contributions of Chinese laborers who worked in the area during the Gold Rush. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by these early immigrants.
The construction of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (later part of BC Rail) in the early 1900s connected Lillooet to other region and communities to the north and south.
