Ghost Towns of British Columbia
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Retallack

Originally known as Bells Camp in the B.C.’s Valley of the Ghosts, the town grew to a population of about 300 before the turn of the 20th century. It was also known as Whitewater when the K & S Railway came through in 1895. It later changed to Retallack in 1928, named after J.L. Retallack, a prominent businessman in the district and one of the original locators and owners of the Whitewater mine.

Retallack was the shipping centre for several mines in the area and also had a saw and planning mill, which burnt down in 1910 and was never rebuilt. The town once boasted three hotels, several stores, a barber shop, post office and school. In 1901, the CPR opened a telegraph office at the town site. Mining activity in and around Retallack ceased in 1967. Since then, most signs of the town’s mining days have disappeared. A few residents have remained near the former town site and a small resort hotel is still operating. Two former mine buildings on the north side of Highway 31A, and a nearby house foundation, are the most obvious reminders of Retallack’s once prosperous days.
Retallack mine in 1940
An operational mine at Retallack in 1940.
Photo courtesy of Hal Wright.
Crumbling train trestle near collapse over the Kaslo River at Retallack in 2000
Crumbling train trestle near collapse over the Kaslo River at Retallack in 2000
Above: A crumbling train trestle near collapse over the Kaslo River at Retallack in 2000.
Photos by Johnnie Bachusky.
Below: Modern day pictures of abandoned buildings of Retallack’s Kootenay Belle Mines, and later Blue Star Mines.
Photos by Johnnie Bachusky.
Retallack’s abandoned buildings Retallack’s abandoned buildings
Retallack’s abandoned buildings Retallack’s abandoned buildings
Retallack’s abandoned buildings
Retallack’s abandoned buildings
Besides two mine buildings, all traces of Retallack have either disappeared or collapsed
Right: Besides two mine buildings, all traces of Retallack have either disappeared or collapsed.
Photo by Johnnie Bachusky.
Retallack debris
Retallack debris
Retallack debris & foundations
Above: Most traces of Retallack’s past mine operations have either been hauled away or demolished, with the exception of the odd piece of piping and bits of cement.
Photos by Johnnie Bachusky.
Ghost Towns of British Columbia - Copyright © 2005 Susan Foster & Johnnie Bachusky
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