Castlegar, BC, City, pop 7259 (2006c), 7002 (2001c), inc (with Kinnaird) 1974, is located on the west bank of the COLUMBIA RIVER at its junction with the Kootenay, midway between Calgary and Vancouver, and about 35 km N of the US border. The Lakes Band of Interior SALISH dominated this vital transportation and fishing site until the mid-18th century.

Edgar DEWDNEY pre-empted the site 1865 while building the DEWDNEY TRAIL. A trail linked it with Nelson (43 km NE) in 1889; the first railway followed in 1892. In 1908 DOUKHOBORS took up land in the area, and thrived until 1924 when their spiritual leader, Peter "The Lordly" VERIGIN, was assassinated.

Since the 1940s Castlegar has been a service town for Cominco employees, a centre for dam construction workers on the Kootenay and Columbia projects and the Revelstoke Canyon Dam, and a home for mill employees. Celgar Pulp Co, Pope and Talbot Ltd (saw mill) and Selkirk College, with a variety of university courses and technological training, are important employers. Having excellent transportation facilities, the city is a trade centre with a substantial service area.