On April 26, 1912, the Coalmont Hotel welcomed more than 200 guests to its grand opening gala. With music from the Princeton Orchestra filling the dining room, the hotel stood as a symbol of hope for a booming coal town that believed it was destined for greatness.

Coalmont proudly called itself the "City of Destiny," but that dream never became reality.

In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we explore the remarkable 114-year history of the Coalmont Hotel—from its construction during British Columbia's coal boom, the lives of Louis Marcotte and Jerry Brown, prohibition, tragedy, changing ownership, and the decline of the mining industry that shaped the town.

Today, the hotel still stands, one of only four original buildings remaining in Coalmont. Though its doors have been closed since 2015, the stories inside continue to captivate visitors. Some even say the hotel isn't entirely empty...

Join us as we uncover the history, the people, and the legends behind one of British Columbia's most iconic historic hotels.

Lost Places. Hidden Trails. Real Stories

Before British Columbia had roads, courthouses, or an established legal system, one man was sent by Britain to bring law and order to a rapidly changing frontier.

In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we explore the life and legacy of Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie—the first judge of mainland British Columbia. From his upbringing in Britain and his journey across the world to his years riding on horseback between isolated mining camps, Begbie became the face of British justice in one of the wildest and most remote regions of North America.

Known to many as the "Hanging Judge," his reputation has endured for more than a century. But was he truly the ruthless figure history often portrays? Or was he simply a man carrying out the duties he had been sent to perform under British law?

We'll look at Begbie's remarkable career, his respect for Indigenous peoples and his efforts to learn their languages, the challenges of holding court on the frontier, and the myths that have grown around his name. We also briefly touch on the Chilcotin War—one of the most debated chapters of his career—which will be explored in greater depth in a future episode.

Whether admired or criticized, there is no question that Matthew Baillie Begbie helped shape the legal foundations of British Columbia.

Join us as we separate fact from legend and tell the story of the man who was the law.

Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales explores the hidden history of Western Canada and beyond—one story, one trail, and one forgotten tale at a time.

Granite Creek was once one of British Columbia’s fastest-growing boomtowns.

After gold was discovered in 1885 by John Chance, thousands of hopeful miners, merchants, and fortune seekers rushed into the Similkameen Valley. Almost overnight, Granite Creek transformed from a quiet wilderness into a bustling gold rush town. By 1886, it had become one of the largest population centers in British Columbia.

But the promise of gold was never guaranteed.

In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we explore the rise and fall of Granite Creek, BC — from its dramatic gold rush beginnings to the people who built their lives around the dream of striking it rich, and the quiet remains left behind today.

Through historical newspaper accounts, early photographs, and present-day exploration, we uncover the story of a town built on hope, hardship, and the fleeting promise of fortune.

Today, only scattered foundations, rusted metal, cemetery markers, and faint traces remain in the hills near Coalmont and Princeton — but Granite Creek’s story still echoes through the Similkameen.

Topics in this episode include:

Granite Creek, BC history
Similkameen Valley gold rush
John Chance and the 1885 discovery
British Columbia ghost towns
Gold rush boomtowns
Historic newspapers and early photographs
Exploring what remains today