In 1889 and 1890, G.O. Buchanan and George and Dave Kane staked timber claims in the area. Some of this land they subdivided into town lots. With mining activity taking place at the nearby Beaver claim, by 1893 the population had risen to about 3000 people. In September 1893, Kaslo was incorporated but the town didn’t continue it’s rapid growth as by this time the price of silver had declined.
Tragedy hit the town full force in 1894. Fire destroyed half of the town in February of that year. In the late spring rising flood waters added more damage. On June 3rd, hurricane winds destroyed sixty or more houses, two hotels and the jail. The next day the Kaslo River overflowed and more of the new town was lost. Kaslo took quite a beating from Mother Nature!
However, in 1895, Kaslo began to grow again as a result of the completion of the Kaslo and Slocan railways. By 1897, Kaslo was flourishing as a typical mining centre of those days. With a cigar factory, electric and phone service, a brewery, saloons, hotels and brothels, Kaslo was the place to be!
Today, Kaslo retains it’s quiet Victorian elegance among the beautiful scenery, its’ economy now based on the logging industry and tourism.
Kaslo is now well known for it’s historical sternwheeler, the 161ft X 32ft, “SS Moyie”. The SS Moyie began service in 1898 and was retired in 1957. Purchased by the Village of Kaslo in 1958 for $1.00, the SS. Moyie lies dry docked by the shores of the lake in downtown Kaslo. Beautifully restored to its original Victorian elegance, a tour of this vessel transports one back to more dignified times and less hurried ways of travel. On a tour of the sternwheeler, one can visit the dining rooms and lounges, and glimpse at the cabins where people would rest overnight. Velvet, chintz and silverware are such a contrast to today’s ferries with hard seats and plastic cutlery. A guide will take you on a tour of the whole vessel including the galleys and the engine room. You will be able to learn exactly what it was like to travel and work on such a vessel.
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