A Brief History

The history of the valley dates back 10,000 years as archeologists estimate the Nuxalk People lived in villages along the rivers and coastline.
 
1793: On June 1, the first Europeans to arrive in the area were Lieutenant James Johnstone and the sailors who rowed his open boat. They were from Captain George Vancouver's expedition and were charting the North Bentinck Arm.
 
1793: On June 17, Sir Alexander Mackenzie and nine companions entered the Bella Coola Valley at Burnt Bridge Creek. They were the first Europeans to complete the first overland crossing of North America. He followed the Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail from the Fraser River to the Bella Coola Valley.

1867: The Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post in Bella Coola.
 
1894: Some 100 Norwegians from North and South Dakota and Minnesota settle in the Bella Coola Valley in what is Hagensborg today.
 
1938: Tweedsmuir Provincial Park was opened.
 
1953: The Freedom Road - including the now-famous 18 per cent grade 'The Hill' -- was opened linking Bella Coola to Anahim Lake and the rest of the province.