Barnfield Farm's Canoe Milk Delivery on Alta Lake
In early 1900s, Alfred Barnfield established a farm on Alta Lake, British Columbia, delivering fresh milk and cream by dugout canoe to local lodges. His farm, with 14 cows, supplied Rainbow Lodge with 80 quarts of milk daily. Barnfield pre-empted 160 acres in 1905, backpacking supplies over the Pemberton Trail. The family moved to Brakendale in 1926 but continued summer operations by rail. The property was sold in the 1970s for Whistler Cay subdivision; the remaining 1⅓ acres became Barnfield Place in 1988.
Key facts
- Alfred Barnfield arrived in Squamish in 1886 or 1887.
- He pre-empted 160 acres on Alta Lake in 1905.
- Barnfield married Daisy Hotchkiss on August 1, 1910.
- The farm had 14 cows at peak production.
- Milk was delivered daily by dugout canoe.
- Rainbow Lodge purchased 80 quarts of milk daily.
- The farm moved to Brakendale in 1926.
- Property sold in 1970s for Whistler Cay subdivision.
Entities
Artists
- Alfred Barnfield
- Daisy Hotchkiss
- Vera Barnfield
Institutions
- Barnfield Farm
- Rainbow Lodge
- Pacific Great Eastern Railway
- Whistler Museum
Locations
- Alta Lake
- Squamish
- London Mountain
- Whistler
- Pemberton Trail
- Burrard Inlet
- Lillooet
- Brakendale
- Whistler Cay
- Barnfield Place
- British Columbia
- Canada