The Radium Hot Springs story is as ancient as the Rocky Mountains. The earth's crust
cracked along a two kilometers deep fault which lets groundwater seep close to the
earth's core to be heated and pressured and returns it to the surface as the soothing
mineral-rich warm water of Radium Hot Springs.
This town was originally known as Sinclair Hot Springs, named for James Sinclair
who was employed by the Hudson's Bay Company and in 1841 brought settlers from the
Red River Colony to Oregon. The name was changed in 1915 due to the high radioactivity
in the water. The first owner was Roland Stuart who bought the springs for $160 in 1890,
and in 1912 built a log bathhouse and a concrete pool. The springs were expropriated
in 1922 for the Kootenay National Park. In 1923 the town was connected
by roadway to Banff, and in 1951 the current Aquacourt was opened.
Radium Hot Springs has an excellent playground and picnic area with adjacent ballpark
in the centre of town. Tennis court, basketball hoops, big fire pits, slides, swings
and lots of open space to throw a Frisbee or fly a kite.
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Today the Village of Radium Hot Springs lies on the southern end of Kootenay National Park and has 440 residents. It is at the junction of highway 93 from Banff and highway 95 from Golden. The town has a 3600-foot airstrip and the town has over 600 rooms, and 500 tent and RV sites.
Annual events: include Wings over the Rockies (May), Radium Days Festival (May), Vintage/Classic Motorcycle Rally ( August), Columbia Classic Car Show & Shine Rally (Sept), Birthday Celebration (Dec 31). Contact the Radium Chamber of Commerce at 250-347-9331.
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