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== History ==
Originally a [[company town]],<ref>[http://www.wellsbc.com Wells]</ref> it was managed by ''Cariboo Gold Quartz Mine''. Fred M. Wells, for whom the town was named, prospected in the area for 10 years before finding the minerals that built the company.<ref name = Akrigg>{{Citation | last =Akrigg | first = G.P.V. | last2 =Akrigg| first2 =Helen B.| title =British Columbia Place Names | place=Vancouver | publisher =UBC Press | year =1986 | edition = 3rd, 1997 | isbn=0-7748-0636-2}}</ref>{{rp|292}} At its heyday of the 1930s, Wells sported 4500 people.<ref>[http://www.wellsbc.com WellsBC.com]</ref> In 1942 it had a greater population than Quesnel or [[Prince George, British Columbia|Prince George]].<ref>[http://district.wells.bc.ca/ District of Wells]</ref> The closure of the gold and other mineral mines in 1967 took its toll on the town and most of the population moved away. Today it has a listed population of just 300 which doubles during the summer months, and drops to roughly 100 during the winter.
Between May and September, Wells sees over 100,000 tourists pass through on their way to Barkerville. Most visitors stay or camp overnight in Wells, which has an active arts and outdoor adventure life of its own. During the winter months, visitors come for the world-class cross-country ski trails, snowmobiling, and artistic and study retreats. During the summer visitors enjoy galleries and live performances.
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