Article

Hedley

Published Online August 20, 2008

Last Edited March 4, 2015

Hedley, BC, Unincorporated Place, population 252 (2011c), 256 (2006c). Hedley is a pioneer mining community, 39 km east of Princeton in the Similkameen Valley. It is situated on Highway 3, the major southern trans-provincial highway.

Hedley, BC, Unincorporated Place, population 252 (2011c), 256 (2006c). Hedley is a pioneer mining community, 39 km east of Princeton in the Similkameen Valley. It is situated on Highway 3, the major southern trans-provincial highway. The first mining claim was staked on nearby Nickel Plate Mountain in 1894, and the community is named for Robert Hedley of Nelson, who grubstaked one of the first prospectors. When the mines closed in 1955 they had yielded 52 900 kg in gold. Silver and copper were also extracted. The Nickel Plate mine reopened 1985-96, yielding another 25 600 kg. Mining exploration in the area continues. The abandoned Mascot Mine, perched high above Hedley, is open for tours.

Mascot Mine
The Mascot Mine was one of two mines on Nickel Plate Mountain in southwestern British Columbia. Below in the Similkameen Valley is the mining community of Hedley (courtesy Upper Similkameen Indian Band Snaza'ist Discovery Centre)