Exploring Boundary Falls and the Historic Powerhouse of Greenwood, BC
This spring, we kicked off our adventure season with a visit to one of our favourite hidden gems...Boundary Falls. Boundary Falls is just outside Greenwood, BC, if you are driving east on Highway 3 the falls are on the right. There is a 'Stop of Interest' marker on the highway but it is easy to miss. Once you pull into the small round about, you can park along the side of the road. You will see a historical marker telling you a bit about Boundary Falls Smelter and another marker highlighting the Dewdney Trail. From the parking lot there are trails that lead to the falls. It isn't a far walk and there are many trails that lead you to several viewpoints.
Early spring is the perfect time to go, when the snow melt feeds the creek and transforms the falls into a roaring spectacle. And this year, it did not disappoint! The water levels were much higher than our visit last year, making the short hike in feel even more rewarding.
History of Boundary Falls
Not only is the scenery beautiful, but the area is steeped in history that many travellers miss as they cruise down Highway 3. From placer gold claims to a key stretch of the Dewdney Trail, this region played a vital role during the mining boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s. In fact, Boundary Falls is considered the centre of some of the earliest mining activity in this area. Prospectors were drawn to Boundary Creek, which was rich with placer gold. The Dewdney Trail, one of BC’s earliest transportation routes, followed the creek right to the falls before heading east over the mountains. This route was essential for moving people, supplies, and ore during the gold rush era.
Sunset Smelter
Tucked just above the falls, on the other side of the highway, once stood the Sunset Smelter, built in 1900 by The Standard Pyritic Smelting Co. The Kettle Valley Railway ran alongside the smelter, more or less in the same location now used by the Trans Canada Trail. The smelter operated intermittently between 1902 and 1905 due to issues with securing a steady coke supply. During its years of operation, the smelter treated ore from several well-known mines in the area including the Snowshoe, BC, Sunset, Athelstan, Oro Denoro, and Providence mines.
Today, most of the smelter site, including the large slag pile that’s visible from the highway, is located on private property, so we chose not to trespass. Nature has reclaimed much of the site now, but if you look closely from the public areas, you can still find traces of its industrial past.
The Town of Boundary Falls
Few people realize that a townsite once existed at Boundary Falls, clustered along the Kettle Valley Railway and the nearby road. At its peak, the town included a hotel, post office, general store, school, and many family homes, though interestingly, no church was ever built. By 1924, only four families remained, and many of the original buildings were either destroyed or relocated. In the 1930s, the site took on a new life when a sawmill was established, making temporary use of the abandoned townsite.
Historic West Kootenay Power and Light Building
After taking in the falls, we headed towards Greenwood to explore the old West Kootenay Power and Light building, now a designated historic site. Built in the early 1900s, this structure was once part of a revolutionary hydroelectric power system that helped electrify the Boundary and Kootenay regions. The powerhouse was part of a broader vision by the West Kootenay Power and Light Company (founded in 1897) to bring reliable power to mines, smelters, and towns across southeastern BC.
The company constructed a hydroelectric dam at Bonnington Falls near Nelson, and the power generated there was transmitted across the mountains to places like Greenwood, Trail, and Rossland. This building in Greenwood served as a key substation and powerhouse for the local area, helping to power the Sunset Smelter and surrounding industries during their peak years. The design of the structure reflects early 20th-century industrial architecture with its thick stone walls and arched windows. Though no longer operational, it stands as a monument to the role electricity played in transforming the region’s economy.
Another Great Adventure!
We had such a great time revisiting this area and highly recommend making the stop if you're travelling through the Boundary Country. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful picnic spot with a view, Boundary Falls has something special to offer.
📍 Don't forget to check out our video from this trip on our YouTube Channel for a closer look at the falls and the historical landmarks nearby!