Kaslo was originally called Kane’s Landing

In 1889 and 1890 G.O. Buchanan and brothers George and David Kane came to the area to stake timber claims. When mining activity was reported in the area, the Kane brothers subdivided their lease into town lots.

Founded in 1893, Kaslo became known as the commercial centre of the gold, silver and lead mining industries during the boom of the late 1800s. The town’s peaceful cove, one of only a few such natural harbours along the 97 mile long lake, once bustled with activity. Ore barges, rowboats and steamships jostled for a place alongside the busy wharf. The population quickly grew to 3000 people, most of them hoping to make their fortunes in the newly discovered mines. Disaster struck in 1894 as fire, flood and gale force winds came in succession. In February, half of the town’s commercial district was destroyed, as well as 60-70 houses and the town jail.

By 1896, Kaslo had turned her fortunes around with the completion of the K&S Railway, a public telephone system, and electric and waterworks plants. By 1897 Kaslo had all the services of a progressive mining supply centre: a cigar factory, brewery, dry goods stores, several saloons, hotels and brothels and a newspaper – The Kootenaian.

Over the next 50 years, metal prices fell and mining costs rose, resulting in a decline in mining activity and in the viability of the town. For a while fruit-ranching was a thriving industry until the Little Cherry disease destroyed the marketability of the fruit. But the villagers never gave up.