Burton is a settlement on the east shore of Lower Arrow Lake in the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia.
Before European contact, Burton was known as Xaieken, a large village of Sinixt first nations people. Inadequate archeological research of the area exists to support several First Nations claims.[1] Burton arose in the 1890s when gold was found at Cariboo Creek, a steamboat stop.[2] The community was named for Arthur Burton who received his brother's pre-emption (Reuben & Byron Burton) when they left the area.[3]: 34 Arriving miners and farmers spurred development. Served by CPR sternwheeler boats for many years until 1954, BC Highway 6 is now the main means of access. Tug boats still ply the lake towing log booms and barges.
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The original townsite was submerged when the Keenleyside Dam flooded the area in 1968. A new town site was established on higher ground at that time. The old town site had four stores, gas stations, cafe, school, playing fields, a community hall, a large Federal government wharf, several hotels and three churches. The old townsite was north of the mouth of Cariboo creek with farms north, south and east of the townsite. A scenic location surrounded by mountains with lake, creeks and wildlife close at hand.[4][5]
- ^ "Inventory and Strategic Directions for Built Heritage Assets in the Columbia Basin" (PDF). www.ourtrust.org. p. 114.
Most of the cultural sites listed are connected to the Sinixt/Arrow Lakes Interior Salish tribe and have been flooded or destroyed by reservoirs.
- ^ "Burton (community)". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ Akrigg, G.P.V.; Akrigg, Helen B. (1986), British Columbia Place Names (3rd, 1997 ed.), Vancouver: UBC Press, ISBN 0-7748-0636-2
- ^ "THE ARROW LAKES: Burton". Archived from the original on June 29, 2011.
- ^ "Nelson Star, 5 Aug 2013". www.nelsonstar.com. August 5, 2013.