Kitsault, British Columbia

Kitsault is an unincorporated settlement on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada, at the head of Alice Arm, Observatory Inlet and at the mouth of the Kitsault River. The locality of Alice Arm and the Nisga'a community of Gits'oohl (formerly Gitzault Indian Reserve No. 24) are in the immediate vicinity. "Kitsault" is an adaptation of Gits'oohl, which means "a ways in behind".

History

Mining came to the remote valley with the Dolly Varden mine in 1918. Much of the area had been explored for minerals as Anyox and Stewart had mining booms. A. Taylor, of Taylor Way fame at Park Royal, started the mine with the help of Chicago money. Bunkhouses, stores and a ten mile railway was built to access the rich silver ore. The mine only operated for 3 years until it was held up in litigation. Taylor eventually won the mine and he went on to build the Lions Gate Bridge.

The later town of Kistault was established in 1979 as the home community to a molybdenum mine run by the Phelps Dodge corporation of the United States. The community was designed for 1,200 residents and even included a shopping mall, restaurant, swimming pool and bowling alley. In 1982, however, stock prices for molybdenum crashed and the entire community was evacuated after just 18 months of residence.

In 2005, the entire ghost town was bought by Indian-American businessman Krishnan Suthanthiran.

References

• "Kitsault (Community)". BC Geographical Names. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/38020.html. 
• "Gits'oohl". BC Geographical Names. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/54636.html. 
• "Gitzault Indian Reserve 24 (rescinded)". BC Geographical Names. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/54302.html. 

External links

• Official Website, with images