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The hot springs were considered as a "healing place" by the Coast Salish people who came by canoe to benefit from the waters. The First Nations people had always known about the springs, and the "Keekwully Tybee" who sent up the medicine waters from below. They believed the springs of boiling water, Waum Chuckm, were of supernatural origin. Those who drank from the waters were given some mystic powers of endurance over other men. According to some legends, the water will continue to boil as long as there is sickness in the land. The first known appearance of the white man in the area was in 1808 when Simon Fraser descended the river which bears his name. There is no evidence that he ascended into the Harrison River or saw the Harrison Lake, nor is there evidence to tell us who was the first explorer to do so. One account takes place in 1858/59 when a trio of gold miners, returning from the coast and the Cariboo gold rush in winter by way of Harrison Lake. They were nearly chilled to death, one man fell from the canoe into the warm water. He convinced the others to join him, when warmed and strengthened they continued their journey. Two days later they reached New Westminster and told their story. Chemical analysis of the Harrison springs shows the water contains silica, ferric oxide, alumina, troxide, lime, magnesia, chlorine, sulphur, sodium, potassium and some identified salts. There are two springs at the south end of the lake, the "Potash", which has a temperature of 120 degrees, and the "Sulphur" which has a temperature of 150 degrees. People have come to bathe in the beneficial waters since 1885, when the St. Alice Hotel and Bath House were built. Visitors arrived by river steamer through the turn of the century, when the first auto route was carved through the bush from the station at Agassiz. The water rights to the hot mineral water supply are held by the Harrison Hot Springs Resort. Guests staying in the resort have use of the indoor mineral pools at the hotel. Visitors may enjoy the mineral water in the public pool at the junction of Hot Springs Road and Esplanade. Harrison Hot Springs offers a terrific weekend or week long getaway from the city. Surrounded by towering mountains and the largest lake in southwestern British Columbia, there is much to do for anyone who appreciates the outdoors of British Columbia. Lodging | Food | Shopping | Recreation | Sasquatch | Further Resources Return to Table of Contents Resources for this feature from: Here's
Harrison British Columbia History
of Harrison Hot Springs and Port Douglas Area
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