Lytton, British Columbia
Lytton in British Columbia sits at the confluence of the Thompson River and Fraser River on the east side of the Fraser. The location has been inhabited by the Nlaka'pamux people for over 5000 years. Lytton was on the route of the Gold Rush in 1858. Lytton was named for Edward Bulwer-Lytton the British Colonial Secretary and a novelist, that same year. For many years Lytton was a stop on the Major transportation routes. The Cariboo Wagon Road in 1862, Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s and Trans Canada Highway in the 1950s. However, it has become much less of a important since the construction of the Coquihalla Highway in 1987 which uses a more direct route to BC's interior. The current village population is about 400 people with another 2000 in the immediate area living in rural areas and on reserves. In the summer Lytton is often the hottest spot in Canada. Temperatures regularly reach the mid to high 30°C 's. Lytton along with the nearby Lillooet share the hottest temperature ever recorded in Canada. On 16 July 1941 the temperature reached a record 44.4°C in both communities. The Mayor of Lytton is Chris O'Connor. The main business is forestry and the main employer is Lytton Lumber. Lytton is the location where the two national railways change sides of the Fraser River. There is a reaction ferry that crosses the Fraser River at Lytton. On the West side of the river is a First Nation reserve and the Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park that includes the entire watershed for the Stein River.
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