Fort Steele Heritage Town
Where History Comes Alive
The Story of Fort Steele
Fort Steele Heritage Town sits along the Kootenay River, near where the Kootenay and St. Mary Rivers meet. Long before Fort Steele existed, this area was part of the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa people, whose connection to the land goes back thousands of years.
The story of Fort Steele really begins with the Wild Horse gold rush in the 1860s. Thousands of people came to the East Kootenay looking for gold, and this river crossing quickly became an important route into the goldfields. In 1864, John Galbraith established a ferry across the Kootenay River, and the small community that grew around it became known as Galbraith's Ferry.
The gold rush brought people from many different backgrounds to the region. Chinese miners were among those who travelled to the Wild Horse Creek goldfields, while settlers, ranchers, merchants and other newcomers also began establishing themselves in the area. Their stories, along with the history and experiences of the Ktunaxa people, are all part of the larger story of this region.
From Kootenay Post to Fort Steele
By the 1880s, increasing settlement and changes to the land were creating tension between newcomers and the Ktunaxa people. Chief Isadore, an important Ktunaxa leader, played a central role during this period. His efforts to protect his people and navigate the growing pressures of settlement are an important part of understanding what was happening in the region as Fort Steele was taking shape.
In 1887, Superintendent Samuel "Sam" Steele arrived with the North West Mounted Police. A police post called Kootenay Post was established here during a period of growing tension between settlers and the local Ktunaxa people. It was the first NWMP post in British Columbia.
The post did not last long, and the detachment left in 1888. But the name did. The community of Galbraith's Ferry was renamed Fort Steele in honour of Sam Steele.
Over the next decade, Fort Steele grew into a busy East Kootenay community. Mining, ranching and transportation brought new people and businesses to town. By the 1890s, Fort Steele had hotels, stores, churches, government offices, a hospital, newspaper, theatre and many other businesses and services. The town was becoming an important centre for the region.
Boom, Bust and a Second Life
Fort Steele's success was closely tied to transportation, and that eventually became its downfall.
When the railway bypassed Fort Steele in favour of nearby Cranbrook in 1898, businesses and residents began moving away. The town went into decline, and what had once been a busy community became much quieter.
In a way, that decline helped preserve Fort Steele. Many of the buildings and features that might have disappeared as the town modernized were left behind, giving us a rare opportunity to see and experience what an East Kootenay community looked like during this period.
Fort Steele was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1925. The Province of British Columbia purchased the site in 1961 and established Fort Steele Park. Restoration and reconstruction continued over the following decades, and in 1988 the site became Fort Steele Heritage Town, a Provincial Heritage Property.
Fort Steele Today
Today, more than 60 original or accurately reconstructed buildings help tell the story of Fort Steele. But the history here isn't meant to simply be looked at behind glass.
Visitors can walk the historic streets, meet interpreters, watch traditional trades in action, explore historic buildings, try gold panning, take tours and experience what daily life may have looked like in an earlier East Kootenay community. There is also food, theatre, animals, wagon rides and seasonal events to enjoy.
Fort Steele gives visitors a chance to explore not just a historic town, but the people, communities, cultures, industries and events that shaped the East Kootenay.
Since April 1, 2025, Fort Steele Heritage Town has been operated by the Cranbrook Archives, Museum and Landmark Society (CAMAL) under a six-year operating agreement with the Province of British Columbia. CAMAL also operates the Cranbrook History Centre and works to preserve Fort Steele's historic buildings, collections and stories while creating new ways for visitors to connect with the region's history.
Come explore the streets, hear the stories and see where history comes alive.
Historical Sources
This history has been informed by historical research and resources from Parks Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Canadian Register of Historic Places, the Canadian Encyclopedia and archival collections. Follow the links below to learn more about the history of Fort Steele and the stories that shaped the town.
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