Nestled in the Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada, Creston is a town that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. This article explores the various facets of Creston, from its unique time zone to its rich history and vibrant community.
Unlike most areas in Canada, Creston and the settlements along BC Highway 3 from Creston to Yahk do not observe daylight saving time. They remain on Mountain Standard Time year-round. The Kootenay Lake and the Kootenay Pass on the Salmo–Creston highway form a natural boundary, dividing the Pacific Time Zone from the mountain one. As a result, Creston operates on Castlegar time during the warmer months and on Cranbrook time during the colder months.
Creston is geographically located in East Kootenay, as defined by the 1860 survey that placed the Purcell Mountains as the east–west divide. However, due to the highway to Salmo opening only in 1963, Creston developed cultural links eastward. The town has been described as a transition between east and west, or from a time zone perspective, as being west in summer and east in winter.
The Lower Kootenay Band of the Ktunaxa Nation has occupied the Creston area, known as Yaqan Nukiy, meaning "where the rock stands", from time immemorial. The Kutenai language and the distinctive sturgeon-nosed canoes are noted for their uniqueness. The first European settlers arrived in 1865, and the town was officially named Creston in 1899.
The Canadian Pacific Railway played a significant role in Creston's development. The railway accepted offers from settlers for a half-interest in their properties, and the two-storey station was erected in 1899. Passenger service on the route ended in 1964, and the station closed in 1982.
Creston offers a vibrant community with a rich history. The town was incorporated as a village in 1924 and as a town in 1966. Today, Creston offers a variety of amenities, including brewery tours, a shopping mall, a golf course, and a large selection of motels, hotels, and campsites.
Agriculture has been a significant part of Creston's history. The first settlers arrived around 1884 and planted orchards. Today, apple and cherry orchards are well established, and grain harvests have increased with the development of farms on the flat lands to the south.
Creston is well-connected with good road and air transportation. The Creston Valley Airport, formerly known as the Art Sutcliffe Field, serves the town. In 2021, the Creston Valley Transit System replaced its fleet of diesel-powered buses with four light-duty, gasoline-driven buses.
Creston offers a modern infrastructure with a variety of amenities. The town boasts a shopping mall, golf course, and a large selection of motels, hotels, and campsites. The Creston & District Community Complex received new flooring and upgraded amenities in 2011.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Creston had a population of 5,583 living in 2,670 of its 2,810 total private dwellings, a change of 4.1% from its 2016 population of 5,361.
Creston has either an inland oceanic climate or a humid continental climate, depending on the isotherm used. The climate is often modified by air masses of the Pacific Ocean origin, especially in winter.
Creston is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The town hosts British Columbia's only remaining population of northern leopard frog. Large mammals at Creston include cougar, bear, beaver, coyote, deer, elk, moose, muskrat, and river otter.
Creston has been home to several notable individuals, including aviator William Munroe Archibald, former NHL hockey player Johnny Bucyk, painter Irwin Crosthwait, and actor Aaron Douglas.
Creston offers a variety of youth programs, including the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, and the Creston Valley Youth Center.
