The 42 Mile House of the Canyon, half way point up Jackass Mountain (credit: BC Archives #D-01289)

It was close to here that a terrible accident occurred. William Jones, the operator of a 9 horse freight team, and J.T.Jones, William's father, were transporting a wagon load of blasting powder to various railway construction sites along the CPR line. As they climbed the hill to Tilton Creek, the 51/2 tons of powder blew up, killing two horses, and blowing William and his father right off the road. Severely burned and suffering from concussion, they were found wandering around in a daze by another freighter. Taken to the 42 Mile House, the two men were put to bed, and a doctor was sent for. J.T.Jones died two days later, but William survived. "The Cariboo Road" by M.S.Wade, 1971. Haunted Bookshop, Victoria, B.C. pgs. 130, 131.

Jackass Mountain road around 1920 (credit: Lytton Museum and Archives)

All text and images © Quesnel & District Museum and Archives unless otherwise noted. Thanks to the B.C. Archives for permission to show various images. Thanks to the BC Encyclopedia for permission to quote information on the roadhouse communities. Thanks to the Living Landscapes Project, the Royal British Columbia Museum, Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services for their support of site development.