History of Mining in The Princeton Area
Intially Coal was discovered in Similkameen before the mainland was proclaimed a crown colony on 19 November, 1858. In the summer and fall of that year John Fall Allison explored and settled in the valley and found coal on the right bank of the Similkameen, just above the forks, near the east end of the river bridge, and in the hill that rises on the south side of the new road to Hedley. The Allisons set up a large stock ranch as well as staked claims in gold, coal and copper. Known by the name Vermilion Forks, after the red, yellow and orange ochre gathered by the natives for face painting the area was also referred to as Allison's or Allison Flats.
Princeton in 1890
In 1860 the name was change to Princeton, in honour of Prince Edward the Prince of Wales. This outcropping attracted early settlers who mined their own coal, and in winter-time hauled it on sleighs over the ice to their homes.
The site of Similkameenamp’s first coal discovery was not forgotten. In 1898 the Vermilion Forks, Mining and Development Co. Ltd., was organized, and bought from S.D. Sands the Princeton townsite. Mr. Sands had married Rose Allison, from whose father he had the land. The company secured 1200 acres of coal land adjoining Princeton. In 1909 John Gulliford tunnelled "Discovery Hill," and hauled coal by horse-team to Princeton and Hedley. By this time its commercial possibilities were apparent. W.J. Waterman had interested Authur Hickling in Similkameen, and this led to the formation of an English company which financed and reorganized the Vermilion Forks Company under the name of Princeton Coal and Land Co. Ltd. In 1909 Ernest Waterman was appointed local director, with Charles Graham superintendent of the Princeton colliery. The output that year was only 150 tons but the following year (James Holden mine manager) it rose to 11,868 long tons. In 1909 only 32 men were employed. In 1910 the number rose to 67, and by 1912 there were 110 men on the payroll.
As early as 1908, Princeton Mining and Development Company Ltd.
(MINFILE No 092HSE091)
completed 550 metres of drifting, crosscutting and raising in the Nos. 2 and 3 tunnels between 1920 and 1927, after initially mining 15 tonnes of ore in 1919. The ore graded 15.2 per cent copper and 64.5 grams per tonne silver (National Mineral Inventory card). The company also excavated several smaller adits and numerous trenches and pits. Various operators conducted geological, magnetometer and soil surveys, and 169 metres of diamond drilling in two holes between 1968 and 1983.
Agate Mountain
Agate Mountain Area Claims
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WWG News
6th April 2011
New Claims acquired on and around Agate Mountain area to the south and east of Mt. D’Arcy group of Vermillion Forks Claims Group (See above map).
Agate Mountain
1st March 2011
Wild West Gold Corp. has just optioned the sale of the initial East Group of the Vermillion Forks Claims Group (See above map).
1st March 2011
Wild West Gold Corp. has just completed the sale of the West Group of the Vermillion Forks Claims Group and The Copper Mountain Fractions.
20th September 2010
Wild West Gold Corp. has just recieved a preliminary report on the work zone area from the summer work program for the Vermillion Forks Claims Group.
10th August 2010
Wild West Gold Corp. has just completed the summer work program for the Vermillion Forks Claims Group.
Preliminary Princeton Anomaly Report
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24th November 2010
Vermillion Forks
Magnetometer Map
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Vermillion Forks
Technical Assessment Report
Nov 12, 2010
For further information, contact
Mike Lee
@ 604-728-2683.
