Lytton
Lytton, British Columbia made headlines this year as it recorded the highest temperature ever in Canada of 49.6 °C (121.3 °F) on 29 June 2021. Just a day later, this historic site was ravaged by a wildfire that destroyed 90% of the village. Now as they rebuild, we take a look at its rich history, from its First Nations stewards to the story of how the discovery of gold led to the conception of the Colony of British Columbia.
LYTTON 1885
Located at the confluence of the Thompson and Fraser River, the Lytton First Nations originally referred to Lytton as “Kumsheen” or “Camchin,” a Nlaka’pamux word meaning “where two rivers meet.” The Interior Salish First Nations people, including the Lytton First Nation, Siska, Skuppah, Kanaka Bar, and Nicomen Indian Band, have lived on the banks of these rivers for 10,000 years. Currently, the area is named after Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton, who at the time, was the British Colonial Secretary. Bulwer-Lytton was also a bestselling novelist, who coined the phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword” and the opening line to the novel Paul Clifford, "It was a dark and stormy night..."
In 1858, the news of gold found at the Nicomen River, just ten miles north-east of Lytton, spread far and wide. Gold seekers moved upwards as the California gold rush drew to an end, igniting the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. Lytton flooded overnight with mostly white American and European prospectors and miners along with minority groups of free African Americans, and Chinese miners. The new socioeconomic landscape posed many challenges for the area, as established trade relationships between the Hudson Bay Company and the Nlaka’pamux nation were disrupted. The tensions culminated when a group of American miners raped a young Nlaka’pamux woman, and the tribe retaliated by killing and dumping the miners into the river. This gave way to the Fraser Canyon War in 1858. The war is considered a seminal event that led to the establishment of the colony of British Columbia, although it is mostly lost to history now. Peace was eventually agreed upon after Camchin chief Cxpentlum (known commonly in English as Spintlum, or David Spintlum), who had good relations with Governor James Douglass of the colony of Victoria, encouraged other chief leaders to peaceful co-existence. The casualties of this war are under-documented; however, the numbers of Indigenous deaths are said to be extreme.
Just as news of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush spread to America, it also reached England. Determined to bring British Law to the area and maintain power (particularly in light of the war) the Colony of British Columbia was formed. James Douglass was appointed Governor, while Richard Clement Moody was chosen by Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton, to lead the Royal Engineers as they built infrastructure and maintained military order.
JUST NORTH OF LYTTON, JANUARY 1, 2019
As the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush began to taper out, many gold seekers returned to their home countries, while many others ventured further inland in search for more gold, eventually leading to the Cariboo Gold Rush. The Chinese miners went on to play a significant role in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Lytton has played a major role in British Columbia’s history. Our hearts go out to those affected by the devastating fires this summer and it is, perhaps now more than ever, important to remember their rich and continuing legacy.
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