THINGS TO DO WHILE VISITING SANDON

You will find history everywhere you turn when touring around Sandon.  Take the time to wonder the trails and stop in at some of our main town site attractions.

Silversmith power & Light generating Station

In the 1890s, Sandon was a city with all the modern conveniences. Electricity was "state of the art" and Sandon became the first place in BC to have an electrical utility where every citizen could obtain electrical service. With an abundance of water and steep mountains Sandon was ideally suited to the generation of hydroelectricity. In all, eight hydroelectric systems operated in the Sandon area during the peak years. Operating since 1897, the Slocan Star plant, later renamed the Silversmith, is still operating today providing 100% green, modern AC electricity for residents of Sandon and New Denver and area.
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Tours
Open: We are now closed for the 2023 season please visit  May 18 to October 14, 2024
Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm, 7 days a week
Cost: Free! Donations gratefully accepted.
Winter Hours: Tours by appointment only - please call or email to arrange.
Group/Bus Tours:  We ask that groups (10+) contact us in advance at
Call:  250.358.2247
Email:  SP&L
About Silversmith Power & Light

Silversmith Power and Light is family owned and operated and is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Historic Silversmith Hydroelectric Generating Station and the historic site of Sandon. We are proud to be the first utility in British Columbia to obtain federal green hydroelectric certification and are committed to providing green energy both in our own local service area (Sandon) and New Denver & area.

SP&L was inducted into the World Hydro Hall of Fame in 2021  please check out the HydroVision article published online to learn more https://www.hydroreview.com/business-finance/business/celebrating-125-years-of-history-at-canadas-silversmith-generating-station/#gref

YOUTUBE VIDEOS FROM VISITORS
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Reel Life
https://youtu.be/VRi4teNhzGw?si=_Dq_mxkn4uMdVgku

West Coast Escapes
https://youtu.be/fKqKSWDtyMk?si=lcAC-M_JCVJCBUKu
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Leon Unlimited
​https://youtu.be/T8zME-Ae6I4?si=BGDO-CKMqrxEtxIh

Mike Freda
https://youtu.be/4mele04rrTo?si=-0B9ixprTwnZ76Wh

City hall/Fire Hall #1    

Sandon City Hall on Carpenter Creek was re-built in 1900, after a devastating town fire. The new city hall housed a courtroom, a jail and a fire hall. After the city's bankruptcy and its dis-incorporation in 1920, it was converted into a school in 1925 and remained a school until 1954.

1900 City hall now houses a small cafe, the Prospector's Pick and is open 10 am - 5 pm (sometimes later), 7 days a week.  Open May 18 to October 14, 2024

Sandon memorabilia (t-shirts, hoodies, tanks, posters, key chains, magnets and more), local artisan cards, jewelry, pottery and more.  Visit our newly renovated interior east wing and west wing “the newest Sandon museum”

Please call 250-358-2141
or email Sandon

Steam Locomotive 6947  

This beautiful "iron horse" which is now part of Sandon's historic landscape was built for the CPR in September 1908 by the Montreal locomotive Works. After 1913, it was renumbered #3537 and continued its service in southern BC. In mid to late 1920s it was assigned to the Kootenay region and undoubtedly made its appearance in Sandon during those years.

​It underwent major modifications in September 1928 to become a heavyweight yard switcher and was renumbered to #6947. It worked hauling coal until 1968 when it was finally retired.
​Train #6947 was moved in 1997 to its final home here in Sandon for all visitors to enjoy. The exhibit is entirely outdoors, and is available for viewing at any time on the south side of Slocan Star Street.

brill Trolley buses 

​Originally intended as only temporary storage, the Sandon Brill trolleys where an unexpected hit with visitors.

Our collection includes Brill buses of various models from Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Regina.

Trolley #2201 is open during the season for the enjoyment of all visitors and contains information on the project and the history of each of the Brill Trolley's

To know more about the collection read the Electric Transit Museum sign electric_transit_museum__-_brill_trolley_collection_in_sandon_bc.pdf
​Cost: Free! Donations gratefully accepted. 
Bus #2201 Public Viewing
Hours: anytime during the non-snow months

The vintage Brill Trolley collection is available for outdoor viewing at any time, however the interior display in Brill #2201 is closed during the snow months (December - April)
Marilyne McKay, retired Brill Trolley Bus driver created a wonderful video of her career as one of the first, of many, women to operate a Brill Trolley Bus in the early 70s in Vancouver, BC.

SANDON MUSEUM

The Sandon Museum is run by the Sandon Historical Society (SHS). The Museum is open for the Summer Season daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  The museum does charge a $5 admission fee.  Please check out the Sandon Musuem website for more information.

We highly recommend getting involved in the future of the Sandon Museum - you can start by becoming a member and attending the yearly AGM (which is normally held the 2nd weekend in October)

Please note:  the SHS  is not affiliated with the rest of the attractions in Sandon.  For over 20 years the directors of the SHS have been difficult to work with and have proven through their actions to not involve the Wright-Pellowski-Turok families - the main families who are keeping what is left of Sandon alive for all to experience. 

We will be posting the Sandon Museum story from 1972 - 1998 (a story the SHS doesn't want you to know) in the near future.