Crawford Bay is a community of approximately 350 people, situated in the

Purcell Henry Purcell (, rare: ; September 1659 – 21 November 1695) was an English composer of Baroque music, most remembered for his more than 100 songs; a tragic opera, ''Dido and Aeneas''; and his incidental music to a version of Shakespeare's ...

mountain range on the eastern shore of

Kootenay Lake Kootenay Lake is a lake located in British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the Kootenay River. The lake has been raised by the Corra Linn Dam and has a dike system at the southern end, which, along with industry in the 1950s–70s, has changed ...

in the

West Kootenay The Kootenays or Kootenay ( ) is a region of southeastern British Columbia. It takes its name from the Kootenay River, which in turn was named for the Kutenai First Nations people. Boundaries The Kootenays are more or less defined by the Kootena ...

region of southeastern

British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...

. This location on Highyway 3A is by road north of Creston and by road and ferry northeast across

from

Nelson Nelson may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Nelson'' (1918 film), a historical film directed by Maurice Elvey * ''Nelson'' (1926 film), a historical film directed by Walter Summers * ''Nelson'' (opera), an opera by Lennox Berkeley to a lib ...

History, geography, demographics and economy

The region is part of the traditional territories of the

Syilx The Syilx () people, also known as the Okanagan, Suknaqinx, or Okinagan people, are a First Nations in Canada, First Nations and Native Americans in the United States, Native American people whose traditional territory spans the Canada–United St ...

Sinixt The Sinixt"Sinixt Nation…" (; also known as the Sin-Aikst or Sin Aikst,Reyes 2002, ''passim.'' "Senijextee", "Arrow Lakes Band", or—less commonly in recent decades—simply as "The Lakes") are a First Nations People. The Sinixt are d ...

and

Ktunaxa The Kutenai ( ), also known as the Ktunaxa ( ; ), Ksanka ( ), Kootenay (in Canada) and Kootenai (in the United States), are an indigenous people of Canada and the United States. Kutenai bands live in southeastern British Columbia, norther ...

peoples. The

name for the bay is , meaning "where the lake goes inland." Prospector and trapper, James Crawford, whom the Ktunaxa called White Man Jim, reportedly gave his name to the bay and creek. However, the settlement itself was Cocklethorpe for the first decade, named after Joseph William Cockle, who obtained the first preemption in 1889.

Arts, culture, attractions and sports

Crawford Bay plays host to a music festival each July. The Starbelly Jam, an annual event since 1999, is a weekend outdoor music festival featuring a wide variety of musical styles. The village centre, along Highway 3A, is home to a collection of working artisan studios including: a forge, broom makers, potters, weavers, copper enamellists, leatherworkers, and jewellers. Crawford Bay hosts an annual autumn agricultural fair, The Kootenay Lake Fall Fair, which dates back to 1910 and features a juried display of locally grown produce, homemade goods and artistic creations. Kokanee Springs Golf Resort, located within Crawford Bay, is a championship 18-hole course designed by Norman H. Woods in 1968.

Government and infrastructure

A good Gray Creek–Crawford Bay– Kootenay Bay trail was constructed in 1908, improving the steep trail over the ridge separating the latter two places. The ridge trail upgraded to a wagon road in 1912. The Creston–Kuskonook road was extended northward in 1927, reaching Gray Creek in 1931. Kuskonook–Kootenay Bay was upgraded to a highway and paved 1947–1949. The

Regional District of Central Kootenay The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is a regional district in the province of British Columbia, Canada. As of the 2016 census, the population was 59,517. The area is 22,130.72 square kilometres. The administrative centre is locat ...

(RDCK) is the local governing body for Crawford Bay. The village lies within Electoral Area A in the RDCK and the current director for Area A is Garry Jackman. Provincially, Crawford Bay lies within the electoral riding of

Nelson-Creston Kootenay Central is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada. It made its first appearance under the name Nelson-Creston in the general election of 1933 following a redistribution of the earli ...

, currently represented in the provincial legislature by NDP MLA Michelle Mungall. Federally, Crawford Bay is part of the Kootenay-Columbia riding, currently represented by NDP MP Wayne Stetski.

Education and media

The local Crawford Bay School, offers

kindergarten Kindergarten is a preschool educational approach based on playing, singing, practical activities such as drawing, and social interaction as part of the transition from home to school. Such institutions were originally made in the late 18th cen ...

Grade 12 Twelfth Grade (also known as Grade 12, Senior Year, Standard 12, 12th Standard, 12th Class, or Class 12th or Class 12) is the twelfth and final year of formal or compulsory education. It is typically the final year of secondary school and K–12 ...

and serves the entire eastern shore of

. In 2009, with the old school at the end of its lifetime and no longer adequate for the communities' needs, a new school building was constructed on a larger piece of land nearby. It became the first school in British Columbia to meet the

LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a Green building certification systems, green building certification program used worldwide. Developed by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), it includes a set of rating ...

Green Building Rating System requirements. The school design also received a "Wood WORKS! Community Recognition Award" from the Canada Wood Council. Also serving the "east shore" community, which includes Crawford Bay, is a local newspaper called ''The Eastshore Mainstreet''. The paper is published monthly and focuses on local issues and events. Kokanee Springs Golf Course

Notable residents

* Baba Brinkman, Canadian rapper and playwright born in the nearby town of Riondel and a graduate of Crawford Bay School. *Tom "Comet" Hulland, stunt performer and special effects artist born in the area. Tom has worked with

Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone ( ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, ...

Penn and Teller Penn may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Penn'' (film), 1954 Tamil film starring Vyjayanthimala * ''Penn'' (TV series), a 1991 Tamil mini-series * ''Penn'' (TV series), a 2006 Tamil-language soap opera * '' The Penn'', or ''The Stylus'', ...

and Sir Richard Branson, among others. Tom also held the world record for three chainsaw juggling (44 throws).

References

External links

{{authority control Designated places in British Columbia Populated places in the Regional District of Central Kootenay