Introduction

The Premier Mine was located at the head of Portland Canal, approximately 24km from the town of Stewart, in northwestern British Columbia. It began operations in 1919 and played a significant role in the industrial and social history of the northwest. The Steward Historical Society Museum has prepared the following overview, of this once vibrant community which is now gone but certainly not forgotten. The material for this overview was compiled from the personal stories of local residents who lived at Premier as children, the many newspapers and publications at the Stewart Historical Society Museum. These compilations were done by Anne Jefferson, Judith Hecimovic, and Janet Olson.