Sparwood in East Kootenay, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

George Mercer Dawson (1849-1901)

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 5, 2025

1. George Mercer Dawson (1849-1901) Marker

Inscription. Dr. Dawson was one of the most renowned of the early mapmakers of the Pacific Slope. In 1883 Dr. Dawson explored the Crow's Nest Pass for the Geological Survey of Canada. His report demonstrated his extraordinary ability to provide not only geological and geographical evaluations of the area but also practical inventories of the natural environment, all of which were used by capitalist and settler alike. Motivated by Dawson's findings, Colonel James Baker of Cranbrook organized the Crow's Nest Coal and Mineral Company in 1889. This powerful company operated mines at Michel that subsequently opened up the entire area. Despite his physical disability, no terrain was too tough for this remarkable man whose name lives on in such places as Dawson City, Yukon, and Dawson Creek, in B.C.

Erected by Province of British Columbia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 49° 40.768′ N, 114° 53.362′ W. Marker is in Sparwood, British Columbia, in East Kootenay. It is on Crowsnest Highway (Provincial Highway 3) 3.3 kilometers south of Douglas Fir Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in a small pulloff on the westbound side. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sparwood BC V0B 2G0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the BC Interior

and in the Kootenay Rockies.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Rocky Mountains,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 3 other markers are within 24 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Natal, Michel and Middletown (1898-1976) (approx. 5.6 kilometers away); Crowsnest Pass (approx. 14.7 kilometers away); Fernie Coal (approx. 23 kilometers away).

Regarding George Mercer Dawson (1849-1901). Mercer's disability was a deformed back and stunted growth as the result of Pott's Disease, or tuberculosis of the spine, that he was afflicted with as a child.

Also see . . . George Mercer Dawson. The Canadian Encyclopedia entry on the noted explorer and mapmaker. (By Suzanne E. Zeller, posted Jan. 10, 2008) (Submitted on February 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), April 13, 2016

2. George Mercer Dawson (1849-1901) Marker

George Mercer Dawson (1849-1901) image. Click for full size.

Unknown via Library and Archives Canada (Public domain), May 1, 1885

3. George Mercer Dawson (1849-1901)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 598 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 18, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 2. submitted on December 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on February 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.