The reason Barkerville and Wells exist as communities in the modern context is the gold rush that started in the mid-19th century. The mine and the town are interconnected. Unlike most mines in Canada, where precious minerals and metals are usually found out in the wilderness, this time the streets of Wells are paved over gold.
The provincial government just issued the first permit toward digging for more of it, potenially adding decades of employment to the Quesnel area, but adding a lot of concern and controversy within the community of Wells. There is still a lot of gold in them thar hills around Barkerville.
