Invermere
Tucked along the north shore of a beautiful lake and watched over by the dramatic Mt. Nelson, the town of Invermere has everything a traveller requires.
With a population of 3,000, Invermere is the economic hub of the valley community, offering retail stores, services, restaurants of all variety, accommodations and more.
Originally called Copper City when it came into existence in 1890, its name was changed to Canterbury in 1900 and nine years later to Invermere, when it was under the control of the Columbia Valley Irrigated Fruitlands.
Invermere was incorporated in 1951. Historically mining, agriculture and lumber were major industries in the area but now tourism adds to the economy in a big way.
With two beautiful beaches (Kinsmen and James Chabot), the town offers the most public access to Lake Windermere. All recreational activities one can think of in a mountain resort town are available in Invermere, along with rental and specialty shops geared to the outdoor enthusiast. North of the town is one of the finest examples of a wetlands ecosystem in the world.
The Upper Columbia River Wetlands (pictured below) are internationally recognized and are the stage of a special annual event, the Wings Over the Rockies Bird Festival, held at the beginning of May each year. It is a paradise for birdwatchers! Other special events, held during designated weekends from the Victoria Day long weekend (third weekend in May) to Labour Day in September keep Invermere hopping.
When entering the town in summer, one is advised to be patient. Traffic can move slowly through the charming streets as visito rs soak in the sights. Your patience will be rewarded. If you are looking for parking, there is a large municipal lot east of main street (behind The Valley Echo newspaper office and Bank of Montreal).
Wilmer, six kilometres northwest of Invermere, is now a quiet and charming bedroom community of Invermere. It was originally the first community in the valley, settled in 1896 with a handful of residents and named Peterborough, until it was changed to avoid confusion with the Ontario city. Three years later the population had grown to 100, mostly workers from Paradise Mine in the Purcell Mountains. Early in the century it had two hotels, several stores, a government agent office, an assayer??s office, court house, two churches and a newspaper, The Wilmer Outcrop. Wilmer is home to the Delphine Lodge, the last remaining hotel from the heyday of the valley. It is now a country style bed and breakfast. For heritage buffs, Invermere has an excellent museum and a historical walk. However, the main function for tourists in town, other than serving as a place for them to stay, is its shopping, dining and travel amenities.
The town has developed a lovely mix of small town charm with big town smarts, as business owners continue to evolve to best serve visitors. Municipally-funded flower beds and hanging baskets splash colour throughout the town, which has retained much of its turn-of-the-century architecture and the small parks offer peace and beauty in town.
For art lovers Invermere is a hotbed of activity. Pynelogs Cultural Centre, adjacent to Kinsmen Beach, displays the works of many of the numerous valley artists, as well as tea and baked goodies during the summer months. The town is also home to several small private art galleries, as well as the wonderful Village Arts, a main street store which profiles and benefits local artists.
Invermere is a great place to base yourself if you are planning to hit the many golf courses in the area, such as nearby Eagle Ranch, located at the entranceway to town, or if you intend to do some backcountry exploration up any of the many drainages spilling down into the Columbia Valley from the Rockies and Purcells. The town literally has everything from chain operations to family run shops and eateries.
Links:
Invermere on the Lake
