Nelson, BC enjoys a rich and fascinating history as one of the oldest cities in the province. The city of Nelson is part of the traditional territories of the Sinixt (or Lakes) and Ktunaxa (Kutenai) peoples, who inhabited the area and their presence dates back thousands of years.
Known as “The Queen City”, and acknowledged for its impressive collection of restored heritage buildings from its glory days in a regional silver rush, Nelson is one of the three cities forming the commercial and population core of the West Kootenay region, the others being Castlegar and Trail.
Nelson was named in 1888 after Hugh Nelson, then Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia.[2]
Nelson quickly became an important commercial centre in the region and was home to many businesses and industries, including a number of sawmills, a brickyard, a brewery, and several hotels. During the early 1900s, Nelson was the largest city in the Kootenays and the hub of the region’s tourism industry.
Today, Nelson remains an important commercial and cultural centre in the Kootenays. Its historic downtown area is home to numerous heritage buildings and its local arts scene is thriving. With its stunning mountain backdrop and unique character, Nelson is a must-see destination for anyone visiting British Columbia.
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