(Most information in this section is courtesy the B.C. Museum of Mining)

1859

Captain Richards, on a survey mission for British Admiralty, names Britannia Mountain (situated just above the current townsite) after his 100 gun frigate.

1888

The Britannia Mines are discovered by chance by Dr. A.A. Forbes.

1904

The first ore is shipped to the Crofton Smelter on Vancouver Island.

1905

The mill, and tram are fully operational, a smelter is purchased, the mine reaches full production.

1906

Copper prices fall and there are problems separating the minerals in the ore. The mine does poorly for several years.

1912

Production at Britannia increases with the arrival of a new mining engineer, James Wedderburn Dunbar Moodie.

1914

World War I declared Britannia Copper production increases.

1915

At 12:03am, Monday, March 22^nd at the Jane Camp, just as the men come off the midnight shift, an avalanche of mud, rock and snow crashes through the camp, killing sixty people injuring many others.

1916

Mill No.2 is completed.

1918

Influenza epidemic strikes Britannia, dozens die.

1921

March 7^th, Mill No. 2 burns to the ground.

1921

On October 28^th, a massive flood destroys the Beach community on the banks of Britannia Creek. Thirty-seven people are killed, and fifteen injured.

1922

Mill No. 3 mill (still standing today) is constructed.

1926

First Annual Copper Queen is crowned.

1929

The Britannia Mines are the largest copper producers in the British Commonwealth.

1930

The great depression hits Britannia.

1946

The Britannia Mines are unionized and experience their first strike.

1950's

Korean War creates a demand for zinc from Britannia, while copper prices sinks to an all-time low.

1956

The outside world is linked to Britannia as a rail line from Vancouver to Squamish is completed.

1958

The Squamish highway is completed. Community life cannot compete with outside attractions, and the Mount Sheer Townsite is emptied. To cut costs, all operations are moved to the Beach, and the Britannia Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd. Is reduced to seven employees.

1959

The Britannia Mining Co. Goes into liquidation and its assets are taken over by the Howe Sound Co.

1963

Anaconda Mining Co. Buys the property from Howe Sound and launches an aggressive search for new ore at Britannia Beach.

1974

The new ore reserves are running out, as does the time for the mine's 300 employees, the last shift is on November 1, 1974.

1975

BC Museum of Mining opened to the public.