Ashcroft (British Columbia)

Ashcroft is a small community in the northern part of the Interior Plateau of British Columbia, Canada. The community is located about 10 kilometers south of Cache Creek and is part of the Thompson - Nicola Regional District. Ashcroft lies on both banks of the Thompson River.

History

Originally the land was inhabited by the First Nations, so the story goes back further than that dominated by European immigrants historiography. In the area around present-day Ashcroft lived and live the Secwepemc. In a Reserve, which extends up to the community, is home to around 265 of them. Therefore, there are also appropriate historical references here and in the surrounding area.

The history of the village is closely linked to the gold rush. With the arrival of the railroad, the community was an important stop on the way to the gold fields. Freight and mining supplies were unloaded from the train here and then make their way north to the gold fields by stagecoach, wagons or sleds. Accommodations and services increased rapidly to the influx of people. Ashcroft was full of the workshops of the saddler, wheelwright and blacksmith. There were numerous stables and warehouses. During the period 1886-1920, the village flourished. Before 1920, however, was begun with the construction of the section of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway to Prince George and Ashcroft lost its strategic position as a supply center for the north. In addition to this downturn in 1916 also destroyed another fire, The Great Fire, large parts of the village. Despite the hitherto prosperous growth, a post office was opened in Ashcroft only on 6 October 1936.

It has its name the village after a ranch, which establishes two brothers here. The two brothers named their ranch while after the place Ashcroft, their origins in England.

Demography

The census in 2011 showed a population of 1,628 inhabitants for the city. The city's population has thereby increased from 2006 by 2.2 % compared to the census and is thus the opposite trend to the average of the entire province of British Columbia, where the population grew by 7.0 % at the same time. With an average age of 55.2 years, the population is also much older than in the rest of the province, with 41.9 years.

Education

Ashcroft is one of School District # 74 - Gold Trail, which also has its headquarters here. In the small community, there are several schools; among other things, a elementary school and a secondary school.

Policy

The granting of local self-government for the settlement took place only on 27 June 1952 ( incorporated as a Village Municipality ). On 31 May 1982, the status of the settlement then changed into that of a village ( Village ).

Mayor of the municipality is Andy Anderson. Together with four other citizens, it forms for three years the Council ( council) of the community.

Economy

The main economic activities in Ashcroft is agriculture. In addition to the retail of the school district is a major employer. In addition gaining the exploration and production of mineral resources on weight.

The average income of employees of Ashcroft in 2005 was at C $ 21,460, while at the same time the average for the entire province of British Columbia was only C $ 24 867. The difference in earnings between men ( 37 616 C $ ) and women ( C $ 16,350 ) is greater than the national average in Ashcroft. What can be explained by the fact that the women in the rural areas are predominantly housewife still and therefore achieve no income.

Traffic

About 5 kilometers west of the community runs the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) north-south direction of the Highway 97C Ashcroft happens. Also in north-south direction cross two railway lines, each one of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Canadian National Railway, the church. At the station of Ashcroft several times a week keeps a passenger train, The Canadian, VIA Rail.

Its own airport, the municipality has not, but can only be reached from the airports of the surrounding communities.