Handy link BCGeogrpahic Names: http://archive.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/bcnames/
http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/17243.html
Origin Notes and History:
Schaft Creek adopted 24 July 1945 on 104/SE, not "Hankin Creek" as labelled on BC map 1H, 1933. Schaft Creek re-approved 6 May 1954 on 104G.
Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office
"Hankin Creek" refers to Tommy Hankin, old time prospector, packer & lineman on the Yukon Telegraph Line, and son of Thomas Hankin, who had the first store & trading post at Hazelton. Tommy was born at Hazelton, and lived at Telegraph Creek, Iskoot, etc. for many years. (biographical note provided by P.M.Monckton, BCLS, in 1945.) The change to Schaft Creek recommended to avoid confusion with "Hankin Creek" (with the same namesake) just north of Dease Lake, and another "Hankin Creek" near Terrace.
Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office
After James Schaft who examined the Mess River in 1866 for the Western Union Telegraph Co. in search of a route for an overland line to Europe via Alaska and Asia...
Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office
