Creston, British Columbia
| Creston | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
| Town of Creston | |
 Location of Creston in British Columbia |
|
| Coordinates: 49°05′N 116°31′W / 49.09°N 116.51°W | |
| Country |
 Canada
|
| Province |
 British Columbia
|
| Region | Kootenays |
| Regional district | Central Kootenay |
| Incorporated | 1924 |
| Government | |
| • Governing body | Creston Town Council –Mayor Ron Toyota |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.47 km2 (3.27 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 597 m (1,959 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 5,306 |
| • Density | 626.8/km2 (1,623/sq mi) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
| Postal code span | V0B 1G0 |
| Area code(s) | 250 / 778 / 236 |
| Highways |
 BC 3 BC 3A BC 21
|
| Waterways | Kootenay River |
| Website | Official website |
Creston is a town of 5,306 people in the Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada. The town is located approximately 10 km (6 mi) north of the border crossing into the United States It is about a one-hour and a half drive southwest from Cranbrook, British Columbia along the Crowsnest Highway. Due to its proximity to the U.S. border, many businesses in the town accept American currency. Similarly, Porthill, the nearby US border town, accepts Canadian currency and sells gasoline in litres.
Creston is the eastern terminus of the Salmo-Creston highway constructed in the 1960s as a shortcut to avoid the long route north to Nelson and crossing Kootenay Lake by ferry between Balfour and Kootenay Bay. The Salmo-Creston highway, which is part of the Crowsnest Highway, connected with earlier highways eastward of Creston.
Creston is one of the few towns in British Columbia that does not observe Daylight saving time.
The Creston Valley's economy is largely resource-based with agriculture and forestry. Many are employed in the service sector, and tourism is increasingly prominent, while government services and education comprise a large portion of the labour force. Since 1959, Kokanee beer has been brewed in Creston at the Columbia Brewery. The town is also home to two grain elevators. Many apple, and cherry orchards grow in Erickson, British Columbia, an unincorporated area outside of Creston, and the valley is also an important dairy centre. The Creston Area produces the largest cherries grown in the Northern hemisphere and exports them globally. A primary market is Europe while Asia is second. A number of growers sell the same product they export to Europe at their road side markets. The Skimmerhorn Winery is now producing award-winning wines, and the valley includes other growers cultivating vines. Creston is home to CIDO-FM, a volunteer-run, locally based, Community Radio station, which broadcasts in town, and in the Creston Valley at 97.7 FM.
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Wikipedia