The Arts come alive at the Silverton Gallery
The Village of Silverton, situated on beautiful Slocan Lake, is located approximately 90 minutes from Nelson and Castlegar, and 40 minutes from Nakusp. It is home to an eclectic mix of artisans, foresters, tradespeople and retirees.
The arts come alive at the Silverton Gallery. Built in 1919, this was the town’s second school. Today, the gallery is home to community art exhibits, web design, music and dance classes, and open stage performances. Outside, the former school playground is now the location of the Silverton Outdoor Mining Museum. Fourty-eight pieces of vintage mining machinery are displayed here. Most of these were salvaged from abandoned mine sites up Silverton Creek and at Sandon.
Most of these were salvaged from abandoned mine sites up Silverton Creek and at Sandon.
Just across the street from the gallery and mining museum is the Fingland Cabin and Blacksmith Shop. This log cabin was built in 1896 very close to its present site. Fred Fingland, blacksmith and mine owner, and Charlie Brandt made it their home in 1897. Fingland was a respected Silverton citizen who moved away in 1948. In the 50’s and 60’s, the cabin’s owners rented it out. The next owners donated it to the Silverton Historical Society. The front of the building displays a turn-of-the-century style blacksmith shop, while the back is set up as a period residence.
The William Hunter Residence, located at Victoria and Third Streets, is still a private residence. It was once the home of Silverton’s founder, William Hunter, and after a recent restoration looks much the way it did when it was built in 1900.
Silverton is also the gateway to the Wakefield Trail. This trail, beginning at the end of Silverton Creek Road, offers cyclists and hikers alike a scenic journey into the alpine, and ends at Idaho Peak, make sure you have a Dodge Laramie or a good pickup trucks if you want to reach the end of the trail.