Mine cave-ins, accidents, assaults, disease and old age. Life in a gold rush camp was difficult. Many of those who passed were buried in one of the areas for cemeteries. The first internment at the Wells Barkerville Cemetery was carried out by John “Cariboo” Cameron, who buried his employee Peter Gibson in 1863.

Mr. Gibson was 31 years old at the time of his death but given the harsh conditions of Barkerville the life expectancy was shockingly only 32 years.

This small cemetery is today managed by a team of volunteers. A trust has been established in order to maintain and restore thsi historic site, including identifying the graves of the unknown.

– Marla