By the end of the 19.Century Sandon was the richest silver mining town in all Canada. In today’s ghost town only a few remains tell of the former wealth.

For visitors of today’s ghost town it is hard to believe that the town once was home to more than 5000 people in the booming years after 1890. The once richest silver town of Canada was known as the Monte Carlo of North America. In its heyday, Sandon boasted 29 hotels, 28 saloons, three breweries, one of the largest “red light districts” in Western Canada, many theatres and opera houses, a soft drink plant, a cigar factory, three sawmills, three churches, two newspapers, a schoolhouse, a hospital, and even a curling rink and a bowling alley. Center of the town was the boardwalk build over Carpenter Creek.

Sandon’s decline began already 1899, only a few years after its prime time. 1900 most of the town was destroyed by a fire. Although rebuilt the old boom times were gone for ever. The town inevitable was on its way into becoming a ghost town when metal prices dropped and the mines stopped to make any profit. 1955 a dramatic wash-out of Carpenter Creek destroyed almost all of the last remaining buildings.

Today only a few old buildings are still standing. Nevertheless Sandon’s few residents try hard to keep the memory of the old times alive.

In summer Sandon is the well visited starting point to drive up to Idaho Peak. Usually the 14km steep and narrow road is clear of snow by the beginning of July. It offers convenient access to Idaho Peak trailhead at 2000m by car. The hike along the ridge to the lookout is easy and worth-wile. It offers incredible vistas over Slocan Valley, Slocan Lake, Valhalla and Kokanee Glacier Park. In July and August the alpine flower meadows along the trail are just spectacular.

To Photo Gallery

Museum Sandon

Old Mining Entrance