From Steam Engines to Wake Boats: The Rich History of Sicamous (And What Used to Be at 222 Finlayson Street!)

When you grab the wheel of a responsive Glastron GT 205 sport boat or settle into the comfortable lounges of a premium pontoon here at CM Boat Rentals, it’s easy to focus entirely on the shimmering, sun-soaked expanse of Shuswap and Mara Lakes. But beneath these pristine waters and along these bustling shorelines lies a rugged, fascinating history.

Long before Sicamous earned its crown as a world-class boating destination, it was a wild frontier shaped by gold rushes, monumental railway ties, and pioneering families.

Today, we are diving into the history of our beautiful town, including a look back at the historical footprints right beneath our feet at 222 Finlayson Street.

The Origins: Eagle Pass and the Coming of the Railway

Before European settlers arrived, the land surrounding Sicamous was the ancestral home of the Splatsin People, a tribe within the larger Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation, who lived in harmony with the local waterways for generations.

The town’s trajectory flipped in 1865 when explorer Walter Moberly discovered Eagle Pass. This vital gap through the Monashee Mountains became the chosen path for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).

When the last spike was driven at nearby Craigellachie in 1885, Sicamous instantly transformed into a booming transportation hub. Travelers, logging crews, and fortune-seekers flocked to the narrows where Shuswap and Mara Lakes meet.

What Used to Be at 222 Finlayson Street?

If you’ve booked a sport boat or a relaxing pontoon cruise with us, you’ve stood right on our lot at 222 Finlayson Street. But what was happening in this exact spot a century ago?

Finlayson Street itself is named after one of Sicamous’s true founding dynasties: the Finlayson family. Arriving in the late 19th century, the Finlayson family operated the community’s central general store and ran the local post office for an incredible 60 years. Most recently on this very location was Lukies Grocery store which closed it’s doors and in turn has allowed CM Boat Rentals the opportunity to open their doors on this site in 2025.

Royal Footsteps and Historic Gateways

Historically, the area spanning Finlayson Street served as the literal gateway to the community.

• The Eastward Shift: In the early 1900s, the west side of the narrows held most of the town’s initial structures. Right around our location, pioneering families like the Finlaysons eventually relocated their stores, garages, and community hubs eastward to adapt to changing roads and early highway links.
• A Royal Welcome: In 1939 and again in 1951, the Royal Train made historic stops in Sicamous. Royal figures—including King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and later Princess Elizabeth (before she became Queen)—alighted right along the Finlayson corridor to greet crowds of cheering locals and school children.

Standing at 222 Finlayson Street today means standing exactly where generations of travelers first stepped off the trains and early steam vessels to experience the magic of the Shuswap.

The Evolution into a Canadian Boating Mecca

As the logging and railway booms of the early 20th century stabilized, a new industry began to take shape by the 1950s and 1960s: Water Tourism.

With upgrades to the trans-continental highway systems, travelers quickly realized that the unique geographic setup of Sicamous—connecting multiple massive, warm-water lake arms—made it the ultimate aquatic playground.

[1860s: Gold Rush] ➔ [1885: CPR Railway Hub] ➔ [1920s: Finlayson Era Expansion] ➔ [1960s-Present: Premier Canadian Boating]

Write Your Own History on the Water with CM Boat Rentals

History isn’t just something to read about—it’s something you feel when you are cruising past the same rugged cliffside coastlines that early explorers mapped out over 150 years ago.

At CM Boat Rentals, we are proud to keep the spirit of Shuswap exploration alive. Whether you want to slice through the glassy morning water in a high-performance Glastron GTD 205 deck boat or spend a relaxing afternoon touring the shorelines with family on one of our spacious, comfortable pontoons, we have the perfect, meticulously maintained craft for your group.

Why Choose CM Boat Rentals?

• Decades of Experience: Serving the Shuswap boating community since 1989.
• Fully Equipped Fleets: Every rental includes required safety gear and a temporary boat license so you can captain your own day of adventure.
• Prime Historical Location: Conveniently located at 222 Finlayson Street with rapid, hassle-free access to both Shuswap and Mara Lakes.

Ready to launch your adventure?

• Visit: cmboatrentals.ca to check live availability, view our fleet, and reserve your summer memories today.