Diana French’s The Road Runs West: A Century Along the Bella Coola Trail examines the historic transportation corridor linking the central interior plateau from the Fraser River across the Chilcotin to the Pacific tidal inlets at Bella Coola. French documents how nineteenth-century surveyor routes and settler wagon trails were superimposed onto ancient grease trails long traded and defended by the Nuxalk, Tsilhqot'in, and Dakelh nations. The narrative traces the establishment of early river ferries, stage stops, and farming communities along the Fraser River benches, detailing pioneer agriculture and civic development at Alexandria, Australian, Marguerite, Kersley, Macalister, and Soda Creek. Through detailed interviews, archival correspondence, and property records, the text chronicles how rural homesteaders and freight teamsters maintained vital supply lines across an unforgiving and isolated interior landscape.

Alexandria (B.C.), Australian (B.C.), Bella Coola Trail (B.C.) History, British Columbia Chilcotin, British Columbia Fraser River Valley, Castle Rock (B.C.), City of Quesnel, Frontier and pioneer life British Columbia Chilcotin, History, Kersley (B.C.), Macalister (B.C.), Marguerite (B.C.), Narcosli Creek (B.C.), Soda Creek (B.C.)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Includes bibliographical references and index.