The
name 'Sicamous' is derived from the Shuswap First Nations word
for 'narrows'. Sicamous is located at the narrows between the
Shuswap Lakes and Mara Lakes, and before the arrival of white
settlers, the narrows were an important meeting place for first
nations tribes of the region.
The
Big Bend Gold Rush of 1864 brought propectors to the region on
their way to Seymour Arm and the Columbia River region.
The
first white settlers came to Sicamous in 1885, with the completion
of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Many of these first settlers
were from Finland.
Today
Sicamous is known as the 'Houseboat Capital of Canada'. The thousands
of kilometres of shoreline on the Shuswap Lakes and Mara Lake,
make for an excellent houseboating holiday destination.
During
the winter months, snowmobilers come to the region to access Hunters
Range which is regarded as the premier snowmobiling destination
in Canada.
The
many businesses in Sicamous offer everything from ski boat sales
and rental to fishing tackle and groceries. Located at the junction
of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 97a, Sicamous is the gateway
to the Shuswaps. An ideal destination for summer recreational-enthusiasts,
and an ideal stop for those travelling through the region, either
east, west or south.
