Lillooet in Squamish-Lillooet, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

The Bridge of the 23 Camels

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, June 11, 2017

1. The Bridge of the 23 Camels Marker

Inscription. So named to commemorate British Columbia's first - and last - experience with camels, 23 of which were imported in 1862 by John C. Callbreath of Seton Portage to pack supplies from Lillooet to the Upper Cariboo. The experiment failed when the Bactrian camels were found to frighten horses, domestic animals and even humans. They were turned loose and most were never seen again. A few survived and the last died in 1905 after many years as a ranch pet.

The Bridge of the 23 Camels was officially dedicated by the Honourable William R. Bennett, Premier of the Province of British Columbia, September 22, 1980. Province of British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Highways Honourable Alex V. Fraser Minister

Erected by Province of British Columbia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 50° 40.978′ N, 121° 55.899′ W. Marker is in Lillooet, British Columbia, in Squamish-Lillooet. It is on Duffey Lake Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal

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address: 1881 Duffey Lake Road, Lillooet BC V0K 1V0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on British Columbia’s Lower Mainland

and in Coast & Mountains.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

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. At least 6 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Post Office (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); District of Lillooet Office (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); The Camel Barn (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); East Lillooet (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); Lillooet (approx. 2.4 kilometers away); The Old Bridge (approx. 3.5 kilometers away).

Also see . . . Cariboo Camels (Wikipedia). Overview:

The Cariboo camels were a number of camels that arrived in British Columbia, Canada, as pack animals. The Bactrian camels were used on the Douglas Road and the Old Cariboo Road in 1862 and 1863 to haul freight during the Cariboo Gold Rush. Although the experiment
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, June 11, 2017

2. The Bridge of the 23 Camels Marker
was a failure, the Cariboo camels retained an almost legendary status in local popular culture.

(Submitted on June 17, 2026.)

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, June 11, 2017

3. The Bridge of the 23 Camels & Marker

The bridge carries BC 99 over the Fraser River.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.