The History: Old Tranquille
This site has always been a World of its Own. First, as a winter camping ground for Chief Sanquil (Tranquil), and then as a prosperous gold mining area. In 1857 the British Columbia gold rush was launched as gold was found in the Tranquille River, eventually yielding 2,932 ounces of gold. The Fortune and Cooney families were attracted to the area because of the economic opportunity to supply gold miners with supplies. Their ranches produced cattle, garden produce, prize-winning orchards, hay and flour for local consumption. It was definitely in a World of its Own during the TB Sanatorium days between 1909 and 1958 when Sanitoriums were built in isolated areas because of local residents fear of contamination from patients living at the Sanitorium. Due to economic reasons but also for necessity a farm was developed at Tranquille which produced all garden supplies, hay, milk, eggs, beef, and pork for local residents. This continued when Tranquille became a training school and residence for the mentally challenged. In 2000 the site was purchased from the government of British Columbia and Tranquille started its journey towards its destiny as an agrarian resort community - Tranquille on the Lake.
To view images, click to enlarge:
 |
Local Indian Chief Sanquil (Tranquil) used this area as his winter
camping grounds until sometime in the 1840s.
Later, local Chief Lolo provided supplies to the gold miners on Tranquille River. |
 |
In 1858, the discovery of gold in Tranquille River sparked the British
Columbia Gold Rush. 2,932 ounces of gold were mined by up to
300
miners at the peak of the gold rush. |
 |
Gold can still be panned in Tranquille River. |
 |
Two prominent families who established successful ranches on the Tranquille site were William Fortune in 1858 and Charles Cooney in 1867. |
 |
In 1907 the Anti-TB Society of British Columbia bought the Fortune Ranch
and used the ranch house to establish the infirmary for the TB
Sanatorium.
|
 |
Between 1908 and 1921 a number of other buildings were constructed to house TB
patients as well as providing all the services needed. |
 |
In 1922 the Cooney Ranch was purchased to accommodate expansion of the facility. |
 |
In 1958 the centre closed when a cure for TB was found. Over 4,000 people were treated during its years of operation. |
 |
Between 1959 and 1985 the facility was used as a training school and residence for the
mentally challenged.
|
 |
In 1991 Giovanni Camporese, A & A Foods of Vancouver, BC purchased the
property to establish "Padova City" a multi-faceted Italian theme
resort. Several years later he defaulted on his mortgage payments.
|
 |
In 2000 the site was purchased by British Columbia Wilderness Tours Inc.
|
