Long before it became a quiet haven “on the way to exactly nowhere,” Burton, British Columbia had a rich and industrious past shaped by the land, the river, and the resilient people who called this valley home.

Nestled on the edge of the Columbia River, Burton was originally settled in the late 1800s, taking its name from Reuben Burton, one of the area’s early pioneers. The community flourished in the fertile valley bottom, where rich soil and a favorable climate supported thriving orchards and family farms. Apples, cherries, and other tree fruits became the lifeblood of the region, attracting settlers and building a strong agricultural identity that would define Burton for decades.

In addition to its orchards, Burton supported a range of industries typical of early rural BC towns. Logging played a significant role in the local economy, with sawmills and timber operations taking advantage of the vast surrounding forests. Fishing and small-scale mining also contributed to the community’s livelihood.

But everything changed in the 1960s with the construction of the Hugh Keenleyside Dam near Castlegar. Part of the Columbia River Treaty between Canada and the United States, the damming of the Columbia River led to the creation of the Arrow Lakes Reservoir. The resulting floodwaters submerged much of Burton’s original townsite and valley farmland beneath the newly expanded lake.

The community was relocated to higher ground, and though much was lost, the spirit of Burton endured. Today, echoes of the past remain—in the orchards that still grow on scattered homesteads, in the stories passed down through generations, and in the quiet resilience of a town that quite literally rose above the water.

Burton’s history is one of adaptation and endurance, shaped by both natural beauty and dramatic change. And while the landscape may look different today, the sense of place remains as strong as ever.