Vavenby, a quaint community nestled in the heart of British Columbia, Canada, is home to approximately 700 residents. The local economy thrives on forestry, logging, agriculture, and tourism, making it a vibrant hub of activity. The community is strategically located adjacent to the North Thompson River, the Yellowhead Highway (#5), and the Canadian National Railway, offering easy access and stunning natural beauty.
The history of Vavenby, British Columbia, dates back to the late 19th century when Franklin Allingham, the first European resident, homesteaded a 400-acre piece of land on the north side of the North Thompson River. This location is approximately two kilometers from the present-day township.
In 1910, the original postmaster, Daubney Pridgeon, suggested naming the settlement after his birthplace, Navenby. However, due to a misinterpretation of his handwriting by the postal authorities, the settlement was christened Vavenby.
Vavenby's economy has always been heavily influenced by the lumber industry. The two mills, Weyerhaeuser and Slocan-Canfor, were once side by side on the north side of the river. However, in 2002, Weyerhaeuser shut down its Vavenby operation to focus on other locations in western Canada. This led to a significant reduction in employment and population in the region.
Despite this setback, the community showed resilience. Weyerhaeuser retained logging rights in the area, keeping local loggers and foresters employed. In 2004, a finger jointing mill proposed purchasing the Weyerhaeuser, Vavenby mill property, but the company went bankrupt before the plant became fully operational.
Signs of economic recovery began to show when the Canfor mill, which had been indefinitely closed in 2009 due to poor market conditions, reopened in September 2011 after $24 million in capital upgrades. In January 2012, it added a second shift, restoring a total of 145 jobs to the local region.
Further economic development came when Yellow Head Mining Corp began exploration of the Harper Creek Mine project on Harper Mountain, approximately 10 km south of town, in 2007. The company also purchased the old Weyerhaeuser mill site as an ore handling facility in 2012.
(Information about the climate of Vavenby, British Columbia, would go here.)
