Early Times in East Kootenay Ranching: 1860 to WWII

1860

Pre-Emption Act opened up BC lands for settlement

Late 1800s and early 1900s

Mining discoveries brought the first settlers to the East Kootenay during this period and ranchers followed, hoping to make their livings by selling beef to hungry miners. The first herds were brought into the Kootenays over the old pack trails.

Ranching was a very marginal business with ranchers having to work off the ranch for much of the year in order to pay the bills. Marital partners had to be hardy souls who not only raised the children and managed the household, but earned money through the sale of eggs, butter, or garden produce.

1919 Grazing Act introduced provincial grazing guidelines.

1920s

Much of the Rocky Mountain Trench was logged off in this period.

1930s

Fires swept through the logged valley burning the underbrush, and creating the open grazing lands that would later contribute to the proliferation of wildlife and the viability of ranching in the East Kootenay.