Johnston Farm

The Johnston Farm consists of six wooden farm structures built prior to the 1900s on the original homestead on Carry Street. The Farm is located on the flats where the Quesnel and Fraser River meet across from Downtown Quesnel. The historic place is confined to the footprints of the buildings.

The Johnston Farm has historic and social value as a physical reminder of the people who shaped the development of Quesnel and the original owners who were instrumental in the farming and forestry industries in Quesnel's early years.

The Farm is recognized for its historic association with the first landowner Charles Danielson from Norway who arrived in Quesnel in 1860. He claimed the land to grow turnips for the miners in Barkerville, BC. This was a very successful business. In 1861 he earned $3,000 for his crop of turnips. Charles installed a ferry on the Quesnel River where he operated a charter service. His property was the stopping place for cattle to pasture before heading to the butcher. In 1863, Charles sold the homestead to Thaddeus and Jerome Harper.

The historic place is also valued for its association with subsequent owners Thaddeus and Jerome Harper, who arrived in Quesnel in the early 1860s from West Virginia. They pastured cattle on this homestead which later became known as 'Fernbrook Farm'. The brothers supplied Barkerville with 1,400 head of cattle per season. The ferry and roadhouse at Fernbrook Farm were kept open year-round. Jerome was also a partner in a flourmill and a sawmill in Clinton, BC with Gustavus Wright who operated the General Merchant and Fur Trading Depot where the Hudson's Bay Company Building on Carson Avenue in Downtown Quesnel is today. When a new land route was completed, Jerome and Gustavus built a sawmill at the mouth of the Quesnel River to cut timber for a new steamer 'The Enterprise'. At the time, Quesnel was a one mill town. In 1874, Jerome died and left the estate to his brother, Thaddeus, who sold it to William Albert Johnston.

The Johnston Farm has social value as an event place hosted by its namesake owners William and Roxalena Johnston who came to Quesnel from Quebec in the late 1880s. William purchased 'Fernbrook Farm' from Thaddeus Harper and renamed the property 'Johnston Farm'. The homestead was the social center for Quesnel. Roxalena was known locally as 'Roxie'. She was a nurse and midwife who hosted many social events at the family home. William became involved in mining, and became a Justice of the Peace and a Notary Public. William and Roxie had seven children. Their sons owned and operated Johnston Brothers Motors in Quesnel. The Johnston family are recognized for their contribution to the development of the community with a bridge and subdivision named in their honour.

The character defining elements of Johnston Farm include its:

- six remaining wooden farm structures;

- location on the flats at the junction of the Quesnel and Fraser River.