What happened to Barkerville in 1868?

• A. It was burned to the ground
• B. It flourished with new mines
• C. It became the capital
• D. It was relocated

Answer: (A)

During the Cariboo Gold Rush, Barkerville grew rapidly as miners flocked to the area. In 1868 a devastating fire swept through the town, destroying a large portion of the wooden buildings and leaving it effectively burned to the ground. This catastrophe halted its rapid boom and contributed to the town’s eventual decline as a mining center. Barkerville never served as a provincial capital, nor was the town relocated, and while mining did continue in the region, the 1868 fire is remembered as the defining event of that year.