Clinton
was founded in the 1860’s as a roadhouse on the Cariboo Trail serving
those headed to the gold fields in the BC Interior. After the discovery
of gold in the Cariboo, Royal Engineers were commissioned to build
a road through the Fraser Canyon to the Cariboo to join the wagon
road from Lillooet to 47 Mile. The junction was 47 miles from Lillooet
and thus 47 Mile was the name used. In 1863, 47 Mile officially became
Clinton, named by Queen Victoria in honor of Lord Henry Pelham Clinton,
the Colonial Secretary of the day.
Once “Gold Fever”
had subsided, the ranching industry developed and fueled Clinton’s
growth. The railroad initially served the ranching industry but in
the 1930’s and 1940’s, it served the soda works operating on local
lakes and limestone operations in the area.
Forestry
became the mainstay of the economy in the early 1950’s. At one time,
over twenty bush-mills and saw mills operated in the area. Consolidation
in the 1970’s led to only one operation surviving.
Since the mid-1970’s,
the population of Clinton has remained stable and has slowly increased.
The community is a significant retail and service centre for the surrounding
ranches and logging enterprises, as well as a popular stop for traffic
along the Cariboo Highway.
How Clinton Got
it's name... The Junction* of the Cariboo gold rush trails. The original
1859 Cariboo Trail from Lillooet and the Cariboo Road through the
Fraser Canyon built in 1863 by the Royal Engineers. Originally called
"Cut off Valley" renamed in 1863 honoring Henry Pelham Clinton, 5th
Duke of Newcastle, Colonial Secretary 1859 - 64. *Kelly Lk. Rd, + Hwy 97
At
one time Clinton was a busy junction of the Gold Trail wagon roads-the
Fraser Canyon route and the Douglas-Lillooet Road-leading to the Cariboo
and Barkerville gold fields. Situated
half way to the gold fields, Clinton was an ideal place for weary
travellers suffering from gold fever to stop for a rest, food, and
entertainment. The building housing the Museum, built in 1892, served
as a school until 1925, when it became a court house from 1925 to
1955. Circuit Judge Matthew "the Hanging Judge" Begbie held court
there.
Clinton
was founded in the 1860’s as a roadhouse on the Cariboo Trail serving
those headed to the gold fields in the BC Interior. After the discovery
of gold in the Cariboo, Royal Engineers were commissioned to build
a road through the Fraser Canyon to the Cariboo to join the wagon
road from Lillooet to 47 Mile. The junction was 47 miles from Lillooet
and thus 47 Mile was the name used. In 1863, 47 Mile officially became
Clinton, named by Queen Victoria in honor of Lord Henry Pelham Clinton,
the Colonial Secretary of the day. 
Forestry
became the mainstay of the economy in the early 1950’s. At one time,
over twenty bush-mills and saw mills operated in the area. Consolidation
in the 1970’s led to only one operation surviving. 
At
one time Clinton was a busy junction of the Gold Trail wagon roads-the
Fraser Canyon route and the Douglas-Lillooet Road-leading to the Cariboo
and Barkerville gold fields. Situated
half way to the gold fields, Clinton was an ideal place for weary
travellers suffering from gold fever to stop for a rest, food, and
entertainment. The building housing the Museum, built in 1892, served
as a school until 1925, when it became a court house from 1925 to
1955. Circuit Judge Matthew "the Hanging Judge" Begbie held court
there.