Boswell boasts an interesting history
Artisans and musicians call this area home
A little town with a big history lies nestled on Kootenay Lake, awaiting visitors to explore its interesting culture and heritage as well as meet the friendly locals.
Located on the east shore of Kootenay Lake near Nelson, Boswell is sure worth a visit. The town includes the harbour and boat launch, the Boswell Memorial Hall, the Destiny Bay Store, a few lakeside resorts and residential acreages that used to be fruit orchards many decades ago, but are no longer commercial ventures.
The Boswell Memorial Hall is the centre for all Boswellian activities, and the president of the Boswell Memorial Hall Society, Gary Hill, said it was set up as a non-profit organization in 1927 to honour the locals who served in the Great War.
“We now have a memorial wall that honours those who served in World War II as well,” said Hill. “The Boswell Memorial Hall today is a very active community centre, supported by over 250 members. It is administered and maintained by 11 volunteer directors.”
Hill said an abundance of activities and clubs are run by community volunteers ranging from yoga to carpet bowling, a vintners club and book club to line dancing and artisan sales.
Melody Baker, who moved to Boswell from Calgary, is heavily involved in some of the hall's activities, and wouldn't have it any other way.
“Boswell's culture is all about the people as well as its history and heritage,” said Farmer. “Everybody is really friendly and supports each other.”
Hill said that the east shore of Kootenay Lake is loaded with artists, artisans, and musicians of all sorts.
“Boswell has our fair share,” Hill said. “We have the Arrowsmith Gallery located a couple of kilometres north of the hall and harbour, where many local artists display their work.”
He said visitors would enjoy examining watercolour paintings, jewelry, wooden bowls, porcelain dolls, stained glass and fibre arts. Additionally, there are many musicians in the community, some playing in the Many Bays Band from nearby Riondel and conducted by Donnie Clark, a retired professional originally from Boswell but now living in Riondel.
