Before the arrival of settlers in the 19th century, Cottonwood Creek was a fish-bearing stream with a rich alluvial fan.
Development of the lower part of the creek for residential, industrial, and transportation purposes has drastically altered the appearance of this once-wild stream, its falls, and the land along its banks.
The Area Around Cottonwood Creek, Now Known As Railtown, Before 1918
First Passenger Train From Robson To Nelson, 1892
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Cottonwood Falls Before Most Development
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Hall Mines Smelter, Above Tennis Courts, Early 1900S
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Lush Gardens Once Found Along Cottonwood Creek
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In Nelson’s early years, the Hall Mines Smelter loomed over Cottonwood Creek. The Canadian Pacific Railway built a station, rail yard, and wharf near Kootenay Lake. The neighbourhood was home to Chinese-Canadians and Italian-Canadians who used the excellent soil to grow vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The area included a Chinese temple and laundry, a Doukhobor business, and the Stangherlin and Monteleone grocery stores. Tennis courts stood at the corner of Government Road and Railway Street.
The Cottonwood Creek Neighbourhood In The 1960S
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The Highway 3A-6 Interchange Under Construction In The Early 1970S
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Construction of the present day Highway3A and Highway 6 interchange in the early 1970s improved access to Nelson but substantially changed the creek, the landscape, and the neighbourhood and resulted in the demolition of many buildings.
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Cottonwood Falls Park has been the location of local food markets since the 1970s. Landscape architect Eric Clough designed the wooden vendor stalls shown above, which were demolished in 2015. The West Kootenay EcoSociety ran a thriving farmers’ market here for several years. The oval and stage for the current Nelson Farmers’ Market, operated by the City of Nelson, opened in 2020.
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The Nelson Izu-shi Friendship Society thanks Greg Nesteroff for researching and writing this story of Cottonwood Creek and the local photographers for recording these images over many years.
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