In the 1890s Sandon was known as the Monte Carlo of North America. Famous for its rich deposits of silver-lead ore, the city was home to almost 5,000 people at the height of the boom. In its prime, Sandon boasted 29 hotels, 28 saloons, three breweries and one of the largest red light districts in Western Canada.

The long decline, which led to Sandon’s ultimate demise, began in 1899 with a series of labour problems, followed in 1900 by a devastating fire in the downtown area. Although rebuilding did occur, Sandon never again reached its former prominence. Declining metal prices and the exhaustion of several of the major mines caused Sandon to eventually become a near ghost town.

You can see the original city hall built in 1900, along with the museum and the Silver Smith power plant. The Sandon Historical Museum houses a collection of everyday life as it was in Sandon, during and after its heyday. Sandon is recognized as a historic site of international significance and draws visitors from all over the world. Plan a trip into the past by checking out the Silver City in the Clouds, Sandon.