The Canadian Directory of Water Towers and Standpipes is sponsored by "Understanding Your Home" Fort Steele Heritage Town - British Columbia Photo © Fort Steele Heritage Town Left tower (05-2005) Original tower a few years before it burned down in the 1950s Built: 1898 Height: 15.25 meters Capacity: 90,921 liters Richt tower (5-2005) Tower replica built in 1967 Photo credits Fort Steele Heritage Town Fort Steele The origin of Fort Steele is closely linked to the discovery of gold on nearby Wild Horse Creek in the 1860s.  The gold rush peaked in 1865 when an estimated 5,000 prospectors flooded into Fisherville combing the hills in search of their fortune.  The gold strike was rich, as many men reportedly earned from $40,000 to $60,000 that summer. As more people arrived, it was inevitable disputes over land ownership between the local Ktunaxa First Nation population and the newcomers would arise. The most serious dispute was between Chief Isadore of the Ktunaxa and Colonel James Baker over a piece of land called Joseph’s Prairie, the site of present-day Cranbrook. Superintendent Samuel B. Steele and 75 members of the North West Mounted Police were sent to resolve these problems. After the departure of the North-West Mounted Police, things were fairly quiet at Fort Steele until 1892 when major deposits of silver, lead, and coal were discovered nearby.  Prospectors flooded the valley once more, and the hills were dotted with campfires each evening. Fort Steele Heritage Town Home   BC F index