Attention Homesteaders – 80 Acres with Log Home, Guest Cabins and Farming Infrastructure – Quesnel, BC

Attention homesteaders and off-grid enthusiasts. This 80.5-acre property is perfectly set up to live a self-sufficient lifestyle. There is a cozy 2,200 ft² off-grid log home with two storeys and loft. The loft is a perfect den, library, or third bedroom. The home faces south with large windows in the main living room permitting the light to shine in. With a peaked ceiling the main living area feels especially spacious. The kitchen is spacious with ample cabinet and counter space for storing items and prepping meals.

Off the home’s main level is a large, covered deck (20’ x 30’) with carport below. The home is wood heated and powered by a solar, generator and wind turbine. The power outputs are 220 AC to 110 AC with monitoring meters and batteries located in the detached shop.

The property has 40 acres in hay production with silty soil perfect for growing alfalfa (350 round bales/year). The hay field has been recently reseeded. The property is fenced and cross-fenced with corrals and pens for sorting livestock. There is a 40’ x 50’ horse barn (with tack room, farrier stall, 14-head tie stalls, hay loft), and a 60’ x 80’ cold storage pole barn. The pole barn has 8 livestock stalls and is wired. Additional buildings include a wired workshop, generator building, shower house, greenhouse and 4 log built guest cabins. The workshop has a wood stove and cement floor and is ideal for parking vehicles and equipment in the winter. The property has two creeks and a water licence for both domestic use and for watering livestock.

The cabins are wonderfully built and are perfect for renting to hunters, equestrian hobbyists, weddings, or summer campers (revenue options). The cabins can sleep 3-10 people depending on the size. The cabins are either heated by a wood stove, or propane and provide various cooking options. The cabins are situated on a large grassy area perfect for children to run and play and with a campfire ring located in the center.

Property is located 45 minutes to Quesnel and 1 hour to Prince George.

LOCATION

5620 Blackwater-Spruce Road – Quesnel, BC

ACCESS

From Quesnel head north/northwest out of town on the Blackwater Road (west side of the Fraser River). Turn right to remain on the Blackwater Road just past the Bouchie Lake Elementary School. Remain on this road for approximately 40 minutes until it intersects with the Blackwater-Spruce Road (there will be a sign for the Blackwater-Spruce Ranch). Turn to head south on the Blackwater-Spruce Ranch and continue for approximately 4.5 km at which point the driveway will be on the north side of the road.

AREA DATA

The Cariboo Region of British Columbia has a total approximate population of 127,900. Manufacturing, forestry, mining, oil and gas are the most prominent sources of employment through the region with manufacturing leading the way at 12% of total employment. The Government of British Columbia has predicted regional job growth at 0.4% per annum out to 2022 at which point regional job openings will reach 30,330.

The town of Quesnel itself is located at the confluence of the Quesnel and Fraser Rivers. It is the commercial centre for some 23,000 residents and is serviced by diverse rail, road and air networks. The Quesnel Airport is directly north of town and services all domestic air travel needs.

The Quesnel economy has traditionally been orientated around the timber industry. There are numerous mills, which currently operate in the region providing stable predictable employment. West Fraser Integrated Forest Company, one of the most prominent players in British Columbia’s timber industry, operates several corporate offices in Quesnel. Other prominent industries in Quesnel include agriculture, mining and service/support companies for northern resource development and extraction.

RECREATION

The property is an outdoorsmen’s dream. With hunting and fishing opportunities mere footsteps from the front door of the property. The lush growing climate and ample space creates a garden enthusiast’s dream with excellent opportunity to grow and harvest a wide array of fruits and vegetables.

The property is well situated for equestrian usage with fencing, corrals and large tracks of land suitable for riding. Thousands of square kilometres of Crown land, immediately adjacent to the property, provide infinite opportunity to explore the countryside. Some other recreational opportunities include:

• Gardening
• Hobby farming
• Equestrian
• Quadding
• Dirt biking
• Snowmobiling
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Camping
• Canoeing
• Rafting
• Hiking
• Wildlife viewing

HISTORY

The town of Quesnel was named after Simon Fraser’s Clerk during his expeditions, Jules Maurice Quesnel. The town grew as a major supply and transportation hub for the gold town of Barkerville and its surrounding gold fields. Following the region’s gold rush, Quesnel continued to play a major role as a supply and transportation center for the exploration of Northern British Columbia.

From 1921 to 1952 Quesnel was the Northern terminus of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway. This transportation network and the rich, productive forests surrounding Quesnel led to a boom in the regional lumber industry. In fact, by 1952, there were 180 sawmills and 5 planer mills all within a 30-mile radius of Quesnel. This number has declined over the years, with the consolidation of the mills under the ownership of some of the larger regional companies. The lumber industry has continued to be the primary economic driver for the region.

As time passed, upgrades were made to the town of Quesnel including paved roads, electricity, a bridge spanning the Fraser River, which amalgamated West Quesnel with East Quesnel, a natural gas transmission line and the construction of the GR Baker Hospital. All these developments permitted the town of Quesnel to gain city status in 1979.

MAP REFERENCE

53°13’11.24″N and 123° 9’48.48″W

INVESTMENT FEATURES

40 acres in hay production—silt soil recently seeded with alfalfa and producing 350 round bales per year.

SERVICES

• Electricity – wind, generator and solar (220 AC to 110 AC with monitoring meters)
• Septic tank with field
• Shallow well
• Water licence for domestic and livestock
• Wood heating
• Propane heating in shower house

IMPROVEMENTS

• Main farmhouse: 2,250 ft² (built 1989)
• Shower house: 320 ft² (2 toilets, 1 shower)
• Wrangler cabin: 320 ft²
• Wood/storage shed: 446 ft²
• Generator shed: 80 ft²
• Machinery shop: 768 ft² with dual covered storage
• Pole barn: 4,800 ft²
• Outlaw cabin: 336 ft²
• Pig/chicken house: 192 ft²
• Bunk house: 768 ft²
• Caribou cabin: 320 ft²
• Horse barn: 2,000 ft²

TAX DETAILS

$1,798.45 (2022)

ZONING

R/A

LEGAL

BLOCK B DISTRICT LOT 7972 CARIBOO DISTRICT
PID 004-381-289