The Fort Nelson Public Library and Archives is actively gathering and preserving historical records related to the Northern Rockies region. Commemorating its 40th year at its current site, the library is seeking contributions of photographs, narratives, and recollections to enrich its local archives.
Engaging the community through social media, the archive garners significant interest, particularly when sharing vintage images of iconic structures and locations. Residents of the approximately 2,600-strong town frequently engage with these posts, sharing their own memories and photos.
Positioned at Mile 300 along the Alaska Highway, Fort Nelson is situated about 440 kilometers south of the British Columbia-Yukon border. The archives were established in 2014 by Sylvia Bramhill, a retired library clerk and longtime resident whose father, Silvester (Silver) Arychuk, settled in Fort Nelson from Edmonton in the late 1940s.
Initially taking on what was meant to be a temporary six-month job, Arychuk stayed for a lifetime, working as a heavy-duty mechanic. He relocated Bramhill’s mother from Fort Simpson in the neighboring Northwest Territories to Fort Nelson.
According to local history librarian Katelyn Vandersteen, many individuals arrive in Fort Nelson with plans for a brief stay but end up becoming integral parts of the community, a common occurrence. The local archive sees considerable use, with individuals often reaching out in search of ancestral photographs or news articles featuring their relatives.
Established as a fur trading post in 1805, Fort Nelson predates the construction of the Alaska Highway, which significantly influenced the town’s development during World War II. Additionally, the Northern Rockies region is home to various First Nations groups, including the Acho Dene Koe, Dene Tha’, Kaska, Fort Nelson, Doig River, and Prophet River nations.
While many regard Fort Nelson as the original “Mile 0” of the highway, this title was later assumed by Dawson Creek to the south. The town was the site of a joint air force base operated by the United States and the Royal Canadian Air Force during the war, servicing around 8,000 aircraft.
Bramhill’s dedication to the archives stems from her appreciation for the stories cherished by seniors, the evolving landscape of Fort Nelson, and her pride in her family heritage. She collected oral histories from elderly individuals residing in the town to preserve their memories.
Accessible online, the archive currently houses over 400 photos contributed by more than 100 individuals. It also includes maps and editions of the Fort Nelson News, a community publication active from 1959 to 2023. The library continues to seek images of local businesses and structures, particularly those of small, family-owned establishments, and encourages residents to share their regional stories.