History of Mining in The Princeton Area

• Initially, coal was discovered in Similkameen before the mainland was proclaimed a crown colony on November 19th, 1858.
• In the summer and fall of that year, John Fall Allison explored and settled in the valley and found coal on the right bank of the Similkameen. It was just above the forks near the east end of the river bridge, in the hill that rises on the south side of the new road to Hedley. The Allisons set up a large stock ranch and staked claims in gold, coal and copper.
• Known as Vermilion Forks — named after the red, yellow and orange ochre gathered by the natives for face painting — the area was also referred to as Allison's or Allison Flats.
• In 1860 the name was changed to Princeton in honour of Prince Edward the Prince of Wales. This outcropping attracted early settlers who mined their own coal and hauled it on sleighs over the ice to their homes in winter-time.
• The site of Similkameenamp’s first coal discovery was not forgotten. In 1898 the Vermilion Forks Mining and Development Co. Ltd. was organized and bought by S.D. Sands. Mr. Sands had married Rose Allison from whose father he obtained the land. The company secured 1,200 acres of coal land adjoining the Princeton townsite.
• In 1909 John Gulliford tunnelled "Discovery Hill" and hauled coal by horse-team to Princeton and Hedley.
• By this time the commercial possibilities were apparent, so W.J. Waterman — with interested partner Authur Hickling of Similkameen — formed an English company to finance and reorganize the Vermilion Forks Company under the name of Princeton Coal and Land Co. Ltd.
• In 1909 Ernest Waterman was appointed local director with Charles Graham superintendent of the Princeton colliery. The output that year was only 150 tons but the following year (under James Holden mine manager) it rose to 11,868 long tons.
• In 1909 only 32 men were employed. In 1910 the number rose to 67 and by 1912 there were 110 men on the payroll.
• Between 1920 and 1927, after mining 15 tonnes of ore in 1919, the Princeton Mining and Development Company Ltd. (MINFILE No 092HSE091) completed 550 metres of drifting, crosscutting and raising in the No. 2 and No. 3 tunnels.
• The ore graded 15.2 percent copper and 64.5 grams per tonne silver (National Mineral Inventory Card). The company also excavated several smaller adits and numerous trenches and pits.
• Various operators conducted geological, magnetometer and soil surveys resulting in 169 metres of diamond drilling in two holes between 1968 and 1983.