Vanderhoof is home to 4400 people on the Yellowhead Route #16 of the Trans-Canada, about 100 kilometres west of Prince George. It has a bird sanctuary along the Nechako River, and is on the migration path for Canada geese, swans, and other migratory birds. Vanderhoof is the geographic centre of British Columbia.
Vanderhoof is a hub for forestry, agriculture, and mining industries, and is also a popular jumping off point for outdoor recreation, such as fishing, hunting, and camping.
Some of the top attractions in Vanderhoof include the Vanderhoof Heritage Museum, which showcases the history and culture of the town, and the Nechako Valley Exhibition Grounds, which hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Nechako Valley Exhibition and the Vanderhoof International Airshow.
Vanderhoof History
Vanderhoof was founded in 1913 and was named after the railway engineer, Herbert Vanderhoof, who surveyed this section of the route for the Grand Trunk Pacific.
In the early years, Vanderhoof was a bustling centre for the forestry industry. It had its first sawmill in 1914. The arrival of the railway in 1914 brought further growth and improved transport of timber, agriculture, and other resources.
During World War II, Vanderhoof was a military training base for soldiers. The town was also a hub for the construction of the Alaska Highway, which brought many new workers and residents to the area.
Today, Vanderhoof has a small airport north of town and a water aerodrome for floatplanes, on the riverfront adjacent the town