Midway, British Columbia
Midway | |
|---|---|
| Village of Midway[1] | |
 Midway in winter | |
 Flag | |
| Motto(s): Between the Mountains and the Sea | |
  Location of Midway inBritish Columbia | |
| Coordinates:49°00′37″N118°46′17″W/ 49.01028°N 118.77139°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Region | Boundary Country |
| Regional district | Kootenay-Boundary |
| Founded | 1893 |
| Incorporated | 1967 |
| Government | |
| • Governing body | Midway Village Council |
| • Mayor | Doug McMynn[2] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12.23 km2(4.72 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 578 m (1,896 ft) |
| Population (2021) | |
| • Total | 651 |
| • Density | 53.0/km2(137/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-8(PST) |
| Highways |  Hwy 3 |
| Waterways | Kettle River |
| Website | Official website |
Midwayis in theWest Kootenayregion of south centralBritish Columbia.The village lies 13 kilometres (8 mi) west ofGreenwoodand 51 kilometres (32 mi) east ofOsoyoosalongHighway 3.[3]
Name origin
[edit]Around 1884, Louis Eholt obtained apreemptionthat as a popular stopping place for travellers became known geographically as Eholt's. (A railway junction calledEholtlater arose 17.8 miles (28.6 km) to the east.) In 1893, Capt. Robert C. Adams purchased the property and created the townsite subdivision. The initial name was Boundary Creek or Boundary City, but this had changed to Midway by 1895. Adams never provided a rational reason for the new name. The generally accepted explanation is that the village lies approximately midway between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. A less plausible theory is that he named it afterMidway Plaisanceat theChicago World Fairof 1893.[4][5]: 174
Railways
[edit]In 1899, theCanadian Pacific Railway(CP) extended theColumbia and Western Railwayto Midway, creating a standard gauge link toNelson.TheGreat Northern Railway(GN) arrived westward fromCurlew, Washingtonin 1905. Despite CP opposition, the GN line westward reachedPrincetonin 1909. In 1914, the CPKettle Valley Railway(KVR) connected toPentictonin 1914, andVancouverin 1915. The GN track west of Curlew was abandoned in 1935. Passenger service on the KVR ended in 1964. The Penticton–Beaverdelltrack was abandoned in 1973, and Beaverdell–Midway in 1979.[6]The CP eastward almost toCastlegarwas abandoned in 1991.[7]
Early community
[edit]The post office and school opened in 1894.[4]A provincial police constable was stationed from 1895.[8]During theminingboom the population peaked at around 700 in 1895,[9]falling to around 200–250 from the late 1890s,[10][11]and 100 by the late 1910s.[12]
In 1908, two masked bandits murdered Charles L. Thomet, a hotel proprietor.[13]Despite a $1,000 reward,[14]no suspects were brought to trial.[15][16]
Midway incorporated as a village in 1967.[4]
Demographics
[edit]In the2021 Census of Populationconducted byStatistics Canada,Midway had a population of 651 living in 324 of its 340 total private dwellings, a change of0.3% from its 2016 population of 649. With a land area of 12.23 km2(4.72 sq mi), it had a population density of53.2/km2(137.9/sq mi) in 2021.[17]
Climate
[edit]Midway has ahumid continental climate,characterized by highdiurnal temperature variationthroughout certain times of the year.
| Climate data for Midway (1981-2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 11.5 (52.7) |
15.0 (59.0) |
25.0 (77.0) |
29.5 (85.1) |
35.0 (95.0) |
37.0 (98.6) |
39.0 (102.2) |
38.0 (100.4) |
36.5 (97.7) |
29.0 (84.2) |
16.0 (60.8) |
10.0 (50.0) |
39.0 (102.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −0.9 (30.4) |
3.6 (38.5) |
10.6 (51.1) |
16.1 (61.0) |
20.3 (68.5) |
23.8 (74.8) |
28.8 (83.8) |
28.5 (83.3) |
24.0 (75.2) |
14.3 (57.7) |
4.5 (40.1) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
14.4 (57.8) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −4.2 (24.4) |
−1.4 (29.5) |
4.0 (39.2) |
8.5 (47.3) |
12.4 (54.3) |
15.8 (60.4) |
19.3 (66.7) |
18.7 (65.7) |
14.4 (57.9) |
7.2 (45.0) |
0.7 (33.3) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
7.6 (45.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −7.6 (18.3) |
−6.3 (20.7) |
−2.6 (27.3) |
0.8 (33.4) |
4.5 (40.1) |
7.7 (45.9) |
9.8 (49.6) |
8.8 (47.8) |
4.7 (40.5) |
0.2 (32.4) |
−3.2 (26.2) |
−7.3 (18.9) |
0.8 (33.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −33.0 (−27.4) |
−31.0 (−23.8) |
−20.0 (−4.0) |
−8.0 (17.6) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
3.0 (37.4) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−6.0 (21.2) |
−15.0 (5.0) |
−26.0 (−14.8) |
−32.0 (−25.6) |
−33.0 (−27.4) |
| Averageprecipitationmm (inches) | 37.4 (1.47) |
25.8 (1.02) |
30.6 (1.20) |
46.9 (1.85) |
70.6 (2.78) |
58.4 (2.30) |
43.8 (1.72) |
28.5 (1.12) |
22.3 (0.88) |
24.6 (0.97) |
37.5 (1.48) |
43.9 (1.73) |
470.3 (18.52) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 7.7 (0.30) |
12.5 (0.49) |
22.5 (0.89) |
45.9 (1.81) |
70.6 (2.78) |
58.4 (2.30) |
43.8 (1.72) |
28.5 (1.12) |
22.3 (0.88) |
24.1 (0.95) |
20.9 (0.82) |
7.8 (0.31) |
365 (14.37) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 29.8 (11.7) |
13.3 (5.2) |
8.1 (3.2) |
1.0 (0.4) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.4 (0.2) |
16.6 (6.5) |
36.0 (14.2) |
105.2 (41.4) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 11.0 | 8.5 | 10.4 | 11.9 | 13.4 | 12.1 | 7.5 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 8.8 | 11.9 | 10.9 | 118 |
| Average rainy days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 3.5 | 4.6 | 8.2 | 11.8 | 13.4 | 12.1 | 7.5 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 8.6 | 7.7 | 2.4 | 91.4 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.2cm) | 8.1 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 0.37 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.25 | 5.2 | 9.0 | 30.42 |
| Source:Environment Canada[18] | |||||||||||||
Government
[edit]Midway's local government consists of a mayor and four councillors elected to four year terms. The current mayor is Martin Fromme. The councillors are Dick Dunsdon, Darrin Metcalf, Fred Grouette, and Gary Schierbeck. James McMynn, Midway's first mayor, was the longest-serving mayor in Canada, retiring after 38 years.
Representation for school board is elected toSchool District 51 Boundarywhich is based inGrand Forks.It operates two schools in Midway;Boundary Central Secondary SchoolandMidway Elementary School.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 502 | — |
| 1976 | 589 | +17.3% |
| 1981 | 633 | +7.5% |
| 1986 | 640 | +1.1% |
| 1991 | 611 | −4.5% |
| 1996 | 686 | +12.3% |
| 2001 | 638 | −7.0% |
| 2006 | 621 | −2.7% |
| 2011 | 674 | +8.5% |
| 2016 | 649 | −3.7% |
| 2021 | 651 | +0.3% |
| Source:Statistics Canada [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] | ||
Local attractions
[edit]Midway is Mile Zero of theKettle Valley Rail Trail,a popular wilderness cycling trail which follows the rail bed of the oldKettle Valley Railroad.At the trail's start, the Village of Midway operates the Kettle Valley Museum which highlights the life of early Boundary Country settlers. Notable museum features include a windmill from the Bubar farm that was originally purchased from theT. Eaton Co.
Construction of a bunk house has been started. When complete, the bunkhouse will offer accommodations for cyclists using the trail.
The MidwayCurlingClub is a popular destination for Boundary Area curlers. A hockey rink next door is popular with local youth. The curling rink is home to theBoundary District Curling ClubAcross the street from the curling rink and arena is McMynn park, a large green space which hosts many ball tournaments and picnics.
Adjacent to theBoundary Central Secondary Schoolis a park in which two trees have grown together after being entwined together when the village was young. The trees were joined together bySinixt peopleas a symbol of the International Boundary Line dividing their people and territory. A plaque at the site reads: When the International Boundary Line was being surveyed in 1857-1861, the major portion of the large Indian band then living in this area then moved to the reservation in Colville, Washington. One of the Indians entwined two saplings, saying "Though divided we are united still - We are one."[citation needed]
TubingtheKettle Riveris a popular summer activity, and the village maintains a stock of inner tubes at Frank Carpenter Memorial Park. The park is also a localcampground,and is particularly popular withrvowners traveling through.
Midway features agrass airstripknown asMidway Aerodromewhich is suitable for small planes. Hangars were added in 2005 to the airstrip. Plans exist for a paved runway, but the completion date is uncertain at this point.
Midway is also a host to ever growing music festival, named The Groove Music Festival.
Television
[edit]Midway was featured on the historical television seriesGold Trails and Ghost Towns,Season 3, Episode 11.
References
[edit]- ^"British Columbia Regional Districts, Municipalities, Corporate Name, Date of Incorporation and Postal Address"(XLS). British Columbia Ministry of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development. Archived fromthe originalon July 13, 2014.RetrievedNovember 2,2014.
- ^Mayor & Council – The Village of Midway
- ^"Midway".BC Geographical Names.
- ^abc"Nelson Star".www.nelsonstar.com.28 Nov 2015.
- ^Akrigg, G.P.V.; Akrigg, Helen B. (1986),British Columbia Place Names(3rd, 1997 ed.), Vancouver: UBC Press,ISBN0-7748-0636-2
- ^"Kettle Valley Railway".www.crowsnest-highway.ca.
- ^"Columbia & Western Rail Trail".www.ronperrier.net.
- ^"Midway".www.crowsnest-highway.ca.
- ^"1895 BC Directory".www.bccd.vpl.ca.
- ^"1898 BC Directory".www.bccd.vpl.ca.
- ^"1900–01 BC Directory".www.bccd.vpl.ca.
- ^"1918 BC Directory".www.bccd.vpl.ca.
- ^"Boundary Creek Times".www.library.ubc.ca.28 Aug 1908. p. 1.
- ^"Daily News".www.library.ubc.ca.1 Sep 1908. p. 2.
- ^"Hedley Gazette".www.library.ubc.ca.18 Jan 1912. p. 3.
- ^"Ledge".www.library.ubc.ca.25 Jan 1912. p. 1.
- ^"Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia".Statistics Canada.February 9, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 20,2022.
- ^"Midway Weather Station".Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010.Retrieved20 October2023.
- ^"1971 Census (1921-1971"(PDF).publications.gc.ca.p. 118 (2-115).
- ^"1976 Census"(PDF).publications.gc.ca.p. 26 (3-44).
- ^"1981 Census"(PDF).publications.gc.ca.p. 60 (1-50).
- ^"1986 Census"(PDF).publications.gc.ca.p. 81 (2-57).
- ^"1991 Census"(PDF).publications.gc.ca.p. 124 (116).
- ^"1996 Census"(PDF).publications.gc.ca.p. 257 (243).
- ^"2001 Census".www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- ^"2006 Census".www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- ^"2011 Census".www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- ^"2016 Census".www12.statcan.gc.ca.
- ^"2021 Census".www12.statcan.gc.ca.
