Vancouver - Nelson has been dubbed the Heritage Capitol of B.C. but that doesn't begin to describe the attractions of the West Cootenay city.
Nestled in the Selkirk Mountains ans situated on the west arm of Kootney Lake, Nelson is a unique blend of sophisticated urban culture and breathtaking natural beauty.
The artsy town of 10,000 is about as electric as it gets, boasting prestigeous schools (Kootney School of Arts, Selkirk School of Music, a school of Chinese medicine),a strong flavour of the counter-culture era, the annual Nelson Street Festival (next weekend) and impeccably preserved architecture from a century ago.
It's also an outdoorsy place: skiing,fishing,boating, hiking,climbing, cycling, wild life spotting and horseback riding keep folks busy.
Nelson sprung up about the end of the 1800s when silver was discovered nearby. When the famous Silver King mne petered out 20 years later, the town turned to forestry. But that resource also failed and in the late 1970s the town reinvented itself as a heritage concervation project.
The results have been impressive, both in terms of the 350 preserved historic buildings and the way the town has marketed itself to tourist and potential emigrés. The town's visiter information center offers a slick package outlining the benefits of living in Nelson.
A great way to start getting to know Nelson is to take the Heritage Walking Tour from the visitor center. A brochure available at the center contains a suggested route through the downtown core. Two of the most impressive sights are the courthouse and city hall designed by architect Francis Rattenburry, whose work include the Parliament Buildings and the Empress in Victoria. Think stone here and lots of it, with chateau-style touches, high-pitched roofs, towers and conical caps.
Along the way you will notice dozens of craft shops and galleries, indictive of the large popultion of artists, living in thwe area. For a change of pace, try taking streetcar No.23. One of the towns originals, it has been restored and follows a 2-kilometre track from under the bridge at the north end of Lakeside Park to the wharf at the foot of Hall St. For information, call the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce at (250) 352-3433 or (877)663-5706. Web site: www.discovernelson.com.
Selkirk Mountains frame the heritage of this artsy town
Jim Jamieson
Vancouver Province
For more on the Nelson Street Festival, visit www.streetfest.bc.ca or call (250)352-7188.
