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History
For years, the Merritt area was used as a gathering place by local First Nations
groups and a transportation route by early pioneers. The grasslands eventually
drew the attention of settlers interested in ranching, and the first ranches
were staked in the mid-1800s. Eventually, a central settlement was formed.
Originally named Forks, or Forksdale (so named for its position between the
Nicola and Coldwater Rivers), it was originally settled by William Henry Voght
in 1872, and later promoted as a townsite because of the proposed railway. In
1911, it received its first charter. The first industries in the area were coal
and farming; forestry followed along shortly thereafter.
The Community
Merritt's Coldwater Hotel was constructed in 1908 and remains in operation
today.
Merritt is composed of five distinct residential areas: Bench, Collettville,
Central, Diamondvale, and Lower Nicola. The Bench is a residential mountain
bench, hence the name, sited on the northwest side of the valley. Collettville,
on the southwest edge of the community south of the Coldwater River, is the
newest addition to Merritt, joining the municipality in 1995. Central is
situated at the south of the city centre. Diamondvale is in the heart of the
valley, and is the most populated. Lower Nicola is about ten kilometres outside
of the city of Merritt, but most residents are serviced by and work in the city.
Each area is served by an elementary school: Bench Elementary, Collettville
Elementary (French Immersion), Central Elementary, Diamondvale Elementary, and
finally Nicola-Canford Elementary. Also, a high school, Merritt Secondary, and a
middle school, Coquihalla Middle School, service the area. The main office for
School District 58 Nicola-Similkameen which operates the schools in the area is
also located in Merritt.
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