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Williams Creek was discovered in 1861 by William “Dutch Bill” Dietz, and named in his honour, and became the most re-known gold producer in British Columbia. Dietz and two companions came into the area over the divide from Keithley Creek in February, 1861.
Jan 8, 2022 · That creek became known as Williams Creek, and it would become the richest gold-bearing creek for its length in the world. Of course, a discovery of this magnitude did not remain secret for long, and the Cariboo gold rush reached a fever pitch.
Williams Creek is an important historical gold mining creek in the Cariboo goldfields of the Central Interior of British Columbia, entering the Willow River between Barkerville and the town of Wells, [1] which is at the headwaters of the Willow River.
During the winter of 1861, “Dutch Bill” Dietz and several companions travelled to the headwaters of Antler Creek and across the Bald Mountain plateau where they came down on a north-flowing stream later called Williams Creek. Dietz tested the gravels recovering gold worth about $1.25 per pan.
Barkerville was named in 1863 for Billy Barker (1817-1894). Barker struck gold on Williams Creek, making the most famous claim of the Cariboo - Barker eventually made $500,000! At first, the town was just collection of miners' cabins and a few stores.
Sep 5, 2021 · Most people have at least heard of Barkerville, located east of Quesnel on a small stream named Williams Creek. For about six years, that town was the epicentre of the Cariboo Gold Rush, which saw millions of dollars in gold extracted and the opening up of B.C.’s vast interior plateau.
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Upon hearing the news, a hapless British miner named William “Billy” Barker decided to try his luck at nearby Williams Creek. In 1862, he too struck gold. Bustling towns full of miners then began to spring up around the Cariboo goldfields, including one named after Billy Barker himself.
