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History
This community was previously known as Cook’s Ferry, after Mortimer Cook who ran a raft style cable ferry across the Thompson River. It was later re-named after Thomas Spence, a Royal Engineer and road builder who won the contract to build a bridge across the river during the construction of the Cariboo Wagon road. Unfortunately the bridge was built too low, and during a spring runoff in 1894 it was washed away. A new bridge was built on the footings of the original at the insistence of local ranchers. This bridge also washed away in 1928, but was repaired and remained in place until a steel bridge was built in 1932.
Dining
See the ‘Farm Fresh Produce’ section above for some suggestions on where to buy a healthy snack from a roadside market. Other delectable food choices include The Packing House and Monkey in the Garden Restaurant. The Packing House is one of the original packing houses for widow smith apples (a world famous variety in the 1800s), and is now a heritage café that hosts regular music events. Monkey in the Garden opens on weekends during the summer months, and serves mouth-watering, freshly picked organic delicacies. The Inn at Spences Bridge takes great pride in being the oldest continually operational inn in BC. Enjoy a tasty meal and take a look at the photographs on the walls to get an idea of what the building used to be like.