Eastgate, British Columbia

Eastgate is a small cabin community located at the Eastern portal of Manning Provincial Park in the Cascade Mountains of British Columbia, Canada.[1] It is located in the Similkameen-Okanagan Forest District. The community store and gas station, and formerly the now closed restaurant, are popular for visitors of Manning Park Resort and ski area. The settlement is located along the uppermost Similkameen River. Access to Eastgate is limited solely to east–west travel along the Hope-Princeton Highway. The community has one gas station, a Canco gas station, a cabin rental and a bed and breakfast. The gas station was formerly host to the Eastgate Canada Post Office. The Eastgate Volunteer Fire Department, with three trucks, provides fire protection for the area and frequently participates in forest fire control in the region. The small town shows up on some government maps (such as topographical maps) as Manning Park.

Eastgate
Manning Park
Unincorporated Town
Eastgate's primary business, the Canco gas station.
Eastgate's primary business, the Canco gas station.
Country Canada
Province British Columbia
Regional districtOkanagan-Similkameen
Area
 • Total5.4 km2 (2.1 sq mi)
Elevation
927 m (3,041 ft)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
HighwaysCrowsnest Highway
WaterwaysSimilkameen River

The ARC (Alpine Rescue Centre) is located in Eastgate and is the residence of the Canadian Ski Patrol during the winter, and is rented to groups during the summer. The ski patrol provides safety services to the Gibson Pass Ski Area.

On August 8, 2022, government workers began repaving

History

Since at least 1905, Charlie Bonnevier owned and lived on the land now occupied by East Gate. In 1944, a parcel of 160 acres (65 ha) was sold to the Tower Family, which became the Tower Ranch. As this property was one of the few private plots along the soon-to-open highway, and the highway's aesthetic qualities were of serious concern to the BC Parks, the family agreed not to clear-cut or otherwise make the property unpleasant for motorists.[2] Little of the original ranch remains, however one original house stands, and the roads are named in memory of the ranch. The ranch formerly maintained an airstrip[3] which is now decommissioned and is now home to several houses. Near the gas station, the historic Pasayten Cabin stands. It is currently uninhabited.[4]

Businesses

The primary business is the Canco gas station that includes a food store and previously included a diner called "Dave's Diner" and a mechanic service. Up until 2022 it was an Esso. Other businesses include a rental cabin called "Whiskey Jack Inn", two campgrounds ("Eastgate Escape" and "Similkameen Falls"), and two Airbnbs ("Manning Castle" and “Manning Park Hideaway“ ).

Eastgate Volunteer Fire Department
The Firehall

The community is served by the Eastgate Fire Protection Society, which maintains three fire trucks. One of these trucks was stolen in May 2010[5] and was quickly recovered, albeit without vital components stolen by thieves, by a paramedic using a helicopter for the search.[6] The fire department formerly used a mid-1930s fire truck, and until 2014 was in possession of a 1970s era firetruck until it was purchased for use at Manning Park Resort.

Natural Disasters

2021 Garrison Lake Wildfire

During the summer of 20 21 the Garrison Lake Wildfire threatened Eastgate. The fire was first discovered on July 23, 2021, and by September 8 had grown to an estimated 14,564 hectares.[7] At its closest, the fire was 1-2 kilometers (estimated) away from Eastgate. Eastgate had already been on evacuation alert but was put on evacuation order on July 31 when the fire was 8,175 hectares in size.[8]

2021 Flood

The November 2021 Pacific Northwest floods caused flooding throughout lower Eastgate leading to an evacuation order, a collapsed house, and countless property damage mainly due to flooded basements.[9]

Photos
  • Photos

References
  1. BC Names entry "Eastgate (community)"
  2. Bradley, Ben (2017). British Columbia by the Road. Vancouver: UBC Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-7748-3419-3.
  3. British Columbia Aviation Council (1973). British Columbia Air Facilities Map (Map). 1:1900000. Vancouver, British Columbia: Map Production Division, Surveys and Mapping Branch, Department of Lands, Forests, and Water Resources.
  4. Harris, Lorraine (1984). Manning Park: An All-Seasons Playground. Surrey, British Columbia: Hancock House Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-88839-972-3.
  5. "B.C. town loses critical fire truck". CBC News. May 11, 2010. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  6. Wintonyk, Darcy (May 14, 2010). "CTV viewer recovers stolen fire truck". CTV News. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  7. "Wildfires of Note". bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  8. Jul 31, Colin Dacre-; Story: 341666, 2021 / 8:20 pm |. "Eastgate ordered to evacuate due to growing Garrison Lake fire - BC News". www.castanet.net. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  9. "Evacuation alert issued for Eastgate, San Ang and Manning Park areas | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved December 30, 2021.

49°08′16″N 120°36′49″W

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