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Harrison Hot Springs

Harrison Hot Springs

Harrison Hot Springs is a village located at the southern end of Harrison Lake in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, Canada, recognized as a prominent resort community. Comprising a population of more than 1,500 people, this village is part of the Fraser Valley Regional District and borders the District of Kent, which covers the nearby town of Agassiz.

The history account of the community starts in 1886 when the Canadian Pacific Railway made lakefront spring access possible. Originally sold as St. Alice’s Well, European explorers had before noted the area’s importance. Long using these natural thermal features were indigenous groups, notably the Sts’ailes (Chehalis) people along the Harrison River and the Stʼatʼimc people near the lake.

Two separate springs define the area: the “Sulphur,” reaching 65°C, and the “Potash,” kept at 40°C. According to the Harrison Hot Springs Resort, these waters stand out for their high mineral content—average of 1300 parts per million of dissolved mineral solids. These springs are part of a broader thermal system with sulfur concentration decreasing northward that spans the Lillooet River and Harrison Lake basin.

Although the municipality was formally incorporated in 1949, its unofficial history as a vacation community begins in the late 19th century. Reflecting the historical links to Canadian trade and exploration, its naming pays tribute to Benjamin Harrison, a former deputy governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Harrison Hot Springs’s main economic engine is tourism; the main draw is the name-checked springs. With retail, government, construction, and manufacturing added in, the local economy is mostly service-oriented. Local employment is greatly influenced by the hospitality sector, especially hotels, motels, and vacation rentals.

Beyond its hot springs, the community has a range of attractions. While leisure choices include jet boat trips around Harrison Lake, a nine-hole golf course, and close proximity to Sasquatch Provincial Park, cultural facilities include the Ranger Station Public Art Gallery. The later offers chances for camping, hiking, and viewing of animals.

Every year in July, the ten-day Harrison Festival of the Arts celebrates international music and art, therefore turning the town into a cultural center. Outdoor concerts, paid performances, visual art displays, seminars, and art markets abound at this festival. The impact of the festival goes beyond summer; professional performing arts events are booked all year round.

Harrison Hot Springs has embraced local mythology into its character, especially the myth of Bigfoot. With “Hot Springs Harry,” a sasquatch figure, the official town mascot, the hamlet has embraced a sasquach motif. The neighborhood is full with Sasquatch-themed goods and sculptures; a specialized museum investigates the legend’s importance to the region.

Combining natural beauty, therapeutic waters, cultural activities, and local folklore, the community appeals to many different people. Its ability to combine leisure with adventure, historical value with modern conveniences, makes it appealing to a varied guest count. Harrison Hot Springs provides a whole experience with the medicinal advantages of mineral-rich springs, the visual appeal of lake views, the thrill of outdoor sports, and the hospitable quality of small villages.

Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Currency

1949

Founded

+1 604

Calling code

1,632

Population

5.47 km² (2.11 sq mi)

Area

English

Official language

10 m (30 ft)

Elevation

Pacific Time Zone (UTC-8/-7)

Time zone

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