whitebow

Whitebow is a small unincorporated community situated in the Fraser Canyon region of British Columbia, Canada. It lies approximately 15 kilometres northwest of the city of Prince George along the upper section of the North Thompson River, near where the road carries the name Whitebow. The locality is positioned on the traditional territory of the Stó:lō people and is often associated with the surrounding Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

The origins of Whitebow trace back to the mid‑19th century when the area served as a seasonal trading post for fur trade voyageurs. The name is derived from the White family, early settlers in the 1860s who established a sawmill and a post office that operated intermittently through the early 20th century. By the 1940s, the community had grown to include a small cluster of log cabins, a general store, and a modest schoolhouse that served children from the surrounding ranching families.

During the construction of the Yellowhead Highway in the 1950s, access to Whitebow improved markedly, leading to a brief period of increased economic activity. However, with the development of larger centres such as Prince George and the decline of local logging, most businesses eventually closed, leaving Whitebow largely abandoned. Today the site contains a handful of historic buildings, some of which have been preserved by heritage groups.

Whitebow’s spatial coordinates are 53.097°N latitude and 122.619°W longitude. Although largely residential the community is occasionally visited by hikers and canoeists exploring the upper Fraser Canyon, and is known for its scenic river views and rustic ambiance. The area remains under the jurisdiction of the Castlegar Electoral District for provincial representation and the Prince George–Kamloops electoral district for federal representation.