Visitors coming out to the Big Lake Ranch Heritage site, on the way to Likely, will see some changes.
Thanks to a $30,000 grant through the Cultural Infrastructure program from Northern Development Initiative Trust, improvements were made to the grounds and structures on the site.
Northern Development Board Chair Margo Wagner was at the grand opening on May 25th and said the Heritage site is a vibrant hub for the community of Big Lake, a historic stop along the Gold Rush Trail.
Wagner noted it’s projects like this that keeps the history of the Cariboo from disappearing.
“It’s important that that heritage is maintained, tourists love it. Tourists that come over from Europe and see these old log homes that have been refurbished and maintained means a lot. You see so many of them like the arch ridge barns there are so many of those that have collapsed over the years and they don’t build arch ridge barns anymore. You see so many of these old log structures that have gone into disrepair. It’s such a same because that’s part of the heritage. So when you have a group like the Big Lake Community Association that is willing to put in some hard labour it’s not easy work.”
The Association upgraded several features on the site including the blacksmith shop and saddle building.
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