Walking through Time: A New Chapter for Dawson Creek’s History Tour

In Dawson Creek, where railway heritage meets northeastern resilience, the past echoes around every street corner. In March 2024, the city launched a refreshed version of its popular Historical Downtown Walking Tour, a project made possible through Destination BC’s Visitor Services Experience Enhancement Grant. 

The team’s vision was to strengthen visitors’ understanding and appreciation of local heritage by expanding the tour, introducing digital storytelling, and updating printed materials to ensure the experience is available to all. 

Project Highlights

The walking tour refresh introduced several new elements to enhance the visitor experience: 

• Expanded tour stops: Eleven new plaques were added to the existing tour, bringing the total to 38 and offering even more local stories and insights into Dawson Creek’s fascinating history. 
• Digital integration: The On This Spot app now hosts a self-guided version of the tour, with interactive features and historical context at visitors’ fingertips. 
• New printed brochure: Designed in-house, the updated brochure features all stops and provides an offline option for those without mobile data access.
• Community collaboration: Local businesses enthusiastically welcomed plaques on their storefronts, turning the downtown core into an open-air museum. 
• Greenspace storytelling: Some plaques found homes in newly planted greenspaces, contributing to downtown revitalization. 
• Adaptive design: When it became clear the original plaques couldn’t be re-used due to deteriorating conditions, the team shifted to full replacements, managing costs by completing all design work in-house.

Why it Matters

This project is both a tourism upgrade and a celebration of community identity. Whether it’s a first-time visitor using the app or a longtime resident rediscovering familiar streets through the printed brochure, everyone is invited to walk through time and connect with the heart of the city. 

Impact 

One of the most inspiring aspects of this project was the community response. When new plaque locations were needed, local business owners embraced the opportunity. Their support transformed the walking tour into a shared effort, visible in both the plaques and the pride throughout the downtown core. Through this project, Dawson Creek’s history is more accessible, more visible, and more deeply woven into the visitor experience. 

Learnings

This project was anchored by community partnerships, with local businesses supporting the tour expansion by welcoming historical plaques as part of their storefronts. Flexibility was also important, as the team navigated staff turnover, shifting timelines, and evolving project needs. Another important insight was the impact of thoughtful placemaking. By adding plaques to greenspaces, the project enhanced storytelling as well as the visual appeal of downtown. 

What’s Next

The updated Historical Downtown Walking Tour represents a new chapter for Dawson Creek tourism. With tools like the On This Spot app and the printed brochure, guests can discover the city’s streets not just as tourists, but as time travellers, immersing themselves in the people, places, and moments that built this northeastern community.