The Beaver Valley

The Beaver Valley is a gentle and narrow valley east of Trail lined with evergreens and traversed by Beaver Creek, famous for its plentiful brook and rainbow trout. About 5,000 people make their home in the Beaver Valley which also contains the Villages of Montrose, www.village.montrose.bc.ca and Fruitvale www.village.fruitvale.bc.ca .

Average elevation is approximately 500m (1,625 ft), which provides refreshing cool nights after hot summer days and crystal clear air in winter months. The communities boast excellent recreational facilities and the wide-open spaces invite people with a desire for country style living.

The Village of Montrose

The Village of Montrose was founded in 1942 on a flat acreage above the Columbia River and is home to about 1200 residents today. Named after a popular community in Scotland, Montrose is known for its unique vantage of the Columbia River Valley. In about 1942 Leon Simmons had an idea of developing Woods Flats, and area of about 220 acres situated above the Columbia River east of Trail. This area was primarily owned by CM&S Co. (now Teck Cominco). Together with Trail lawyer A.G. Cameron, the formed Montrose Homesites Ltd. The land was surveyed into lots and shortly thereafter the Montrose Improvement Association was formed. The MIA provided guidance, fire protection, and entertainment for the residents. Montrose became and incorporated village on June 22, 1956 with a population of 707 citizens housed in 250 residences. The Montrose Improvement Association developed into a council with a chairman and four commissioners. The Montrose Recreation Commission was formed soon after and continues today as an integral part of the Village’s structure.

The Village of Fruitvale

The Village of Fruitvale is located east of the City of Trail on Highway #3B within the eastern section of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary. Lush vegetation and farmland, open spaces, horses, babbling creeks, barnyard animals and a warm country town characterize Fruitvale. Situated 20 minutes east of Trail and with an elevation of 500m (1,625 ft), Fruitvale is an ideal location for serious or hobby farming or just living the country life without foregoing the convenience of city amenities. Fruitvale was originally named Beaver Siding because it was a railway stop for the Great Northern Railroad.

In 1906, Fruitvale Limited purchased a great deal of land on both sides of this stop and changed the name to Fruitvale. This named played an important part in the company’s propaganda scheme that depicted Fruitvale as the best fruit growing area in the West Kootenays. Fruitvale was incorporated as a village on November 4, 1952. Today, Fruitvale is mainly a residential area for the employees working in industries located in and around the area. Fruitvale is rural living at its best.