This Forgotten Railway Once Connected Two Thriving Silver Towns – Now They're Empty

Driving from Sandon to Cody, BC – A Forgotten Ghost Town Journey Join us as we take a short but historic drive from Sandon to Cody, British Columbia, following the old mining road that once connected these two ghost towns. Once a thriving silver mining settlement, Cody was home to the Noble Five Mine, but today, only scattered ruins and remnants of the past remain. This rugged mountain route was once part of the Kaslo & Slocan Railway, transporting silver ore between the two towns. Before heading to Cody, we’ll stop at Sandon’s historic hydroelectric generating station, built in 1897 using Nikola Tesla’s pioneering AC power technology. This plant is one of the oldest continuously operating hydroelectric stations in North America, still producing electricity more than a century later. A true testament to Tesla’s revolutionary work in electrical power, this plant continues to light up the ghost town of Sandon and beyond. 📍 Locations: Sandon, BC ➝ Cody, BC ⛏️ History: Silver mining boom of the 1890s 🚙 Road Conditions: Gravel 🏔️ Scenery: Mountains, forests, and historic ruins Driving from Sandon to Cody, BC, to explore the remnants of two historic ghost towns once connected by a bustling railway. Exploring these ghost towns is a fascinating slice of mining history. While Sandon still has caretakers working to preserve its heritage, the route between the two towns offers a quiet look at the backcountry roads that defined the area during the silver rush. It is a slow, atmospheric drive that feels like stepping back in time. I spent the day navigating the drizzle, catching glimpses of old buildings and the remnants of abandoned history that still stand in the woods. There is a museum in Sandon that holds plenty of stories, and I know I will need to return to properly walk through the photos and documents left behind. It is a unique experience to see Sandon BC and Cody British Columbia firsthand. Subscribe for more backcountry travels and let me know if you have ever visited these historic sites.