Topley Landing | |
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Location of Topley Landing in British Columbia | |
Coordinates: 54°48′44″N 126°8′59″W / 54.81222°N 126.14972°WCoordinates: 54°48′44″N 126°8′59″W / 54.81222°N 126.14972°W | |
Country | Canada |
Province | British Columbia |
Area code(s) | 250, 778 |
Topley Landing is an unincorporated community at the outlet of the Fulton River on the western shore of Babine Lake in northwest British Columbia, Canada.
Topley Landing is located just off Highway 118. It is within the Pacific Time Zone and observes daylight saving time. The largest local settlement is Smithers, about 41 miles (65 km) west of Topley Landing.Topley lies about 40 km to the south.
The community has 83 homes, with a few full-time residents, most of the homes being seasonal dwellings for the large influx of tourists visiting in the summer months. The Sockeye fishery, which opens for six weeks from the beginning of August, attracts many campers and boaters to the area.
The First Nations community of Tachet is nearby.
Topley Landing dates back to 1822, when it was established by the Hudson's Bay Company for local natives to trade furs for other goods, and named after an early settler, William J. Topley.Catholic missionaries took up residence in 1848 and a small church was built. A post office opened in 1921, followed by a one-room school, which was stocked with five hundred books by the retired Mr. Topley who was living in Alberta.
The church was used until 1988, when much of the population moved to nearby Granisle, where two copper mines had opened, and the church became disused. Then between 1993 and 1995 the old church building was relocated and restored, a pump organ was installed, and the church was opened to visitors in the warmer months and used for weddings, memorials and special occasions.
Topley Landing Provincial Park, was established in 1964 along the western shore of the Lake.