Terrace Regional Historical Society Archive


	FRANK TRAIL In 1976, a parcel of historic land was donated to the City of Terrace for the use and enjoyment of present and furture generations of nature lovers. This parkland has been planted with 32 special evergreen trees - all are native to British Columbia and have been well marked and identified by the original owner - Floyd Frank. Floyd was born in 1904 at Port Essington at the mouth of the Skeena River. He came into the area in the Spring of 1908 with his family. Coming up river by sternwheeler, they landed at Eby's Landing and, as a family, they packed their belongings up the trail to their Dad's pre-emption cabin located where the Northwest Community College now stands. The trail leading to the benchland had been built in 1907 and has been preserved over the years by the Frank brothers. This historic trail is part of the FRANK PARK which has been donated to the City of Terrace by Floyd Frank. How many people have walked the trail or heard talk of this treasure and decided that some day they would investigate the trail and see first hand the planted trees from all over British Columbia. I had heard stories of a Mr Quiggley who has made trails branching out from the original Frank Trail and fashioned park benches on the hillside for resting and viewing the Skeena River, and decided to investigate. On Sunday afternoon, we donned our rain clothes and walked the trails. Parking at the bottom of the bench on Frank Street, we soon found the sign FRANK TRAIL. Under it, a few printed words told of its historic importance. The trail led us above the Park forest. We walked to the point where the trail scissored back and went east and up to the parking lot of the Pioneer graveyard. Instead of going up, we followed along the well groomed trails to the far end of the fields overlooking the Seven Day Adventist School and the sand and gravel pits. At all points walking along the trails we had a beautiful view of the Skeena River and the old site of Eby's Landing, or, as it was known at the turn of the century in the mailing circles - Kisumgallum Post Office. As there was no snow and the temperatures were mild, it was a delightful hike. The grade on the trails was such that even as seniors we had no trouble hiking along. This being January, the trails should be super when Spring arrives and the birds return. Imagine watching the geese flying overhead as they prepare to land in the open fields next to the Pioneer Cemetary. Last Note: this parcel of land donated to the City by Floyd Frank is 2 acres in size. The hillside west of the Frank Trail now belongs to the Skeena Mill. The original owners, Floyd and Aileen Frank, sold the property and their home, which was built in 1938, to the Skeena Mill in 1991. Mamie E. Kerby EVERGREEN TREES NATIVE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA PLANTED IN THE FRANK PARK 1. Spruce - Sitka - Englemann - White - Black 2. Cedar - Western Red - Yellow 3. Hemlock - Western 4. Fir - Alpine - Amabilis (Pacific silver) - Douglas - Grand 5. Pine - Lodgepole - White - Ponderosa 6. Larch 7. Yew -to be planted 32 trees from these species are labelled within the Park.