This town was originally known as Sinclair Hot Springs, named for James Sinclair who was employed by the Hudson’s Bay Company and in 1841 brought settlers from the Red River Colony to Oregon. The name was changed in 1915 due to the high radioactivity in the water. The first owner was Roland Stuart who bought the springs for $160 in 1890, and in 1912 built a log bathhouse and a concrete pool were built. The strings were expropriated in 1922 for the Kootenay National Park. In 1923 the town was connected by roadway to Banff, and in 1951 the current Aquacourt was opened. In 1929, the hot springs were visited by Sir Winston Churchill, who visited with his son Randolph, his brother, and a nephew.
Today the Village of Radium Hot Springs lies on the southern end of Kootenay National Park and has 440 residents. It is at the junction of highway 93 from Banff and highway 95 from Golden. The town has a 3600 foot airstrip and the town has over 600 rooms, and 500 tent and RV sites.
