| Official Name: | Thornhill |
| Pushpin Map: | Canada British Columbia |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Thornhill in British Columbia |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Canada |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | British Columbia |
| Coordinates: | 54.5122°N -128.5383°W |
| Area Code: | 250, 778 |
| Website: | https://thornhillbc.ca/ |
The community of Thornhill is an unincorporated settlement of 5000+ people on the east side of the Skeena River immediately across from the City of Terrace, British Columbia.[1] Terrace is connected to Thornhill by the Old Skeena Bridge and the Dudley Little Bridge, also known as the "New Bridge."
Thornhill has an independent volunteer firefighting detachment and an educational system consisting of the schools —pro Thornhill Primary, Thornhill Elementary and Thornhill Junior Secondary School — containing a combined total of approximately 700 students from kindergarten to Grade 10. Thornhill junior secondary closed and is now a trades building. Thornhill is the fastest-growing community in northwestern British Columbia between Prince George and Prince Rupert. Thornhill has three hotels and lodges, a few motels, six gas stations, several restaurants, a golf course, community grounds, rifle range, stock car track and other amenities. Thornhill pays for its own policing as well as contributes taxes for use of the regional northwest medical facilities, recreation services, library and transit and more.
Thornhill is a distinct community depite its contiguity with Terrace along the Highway 16 corridor, many consider Thornhill a part of Terrace. However, Thornhill is a separate community with approximately 5100 residents as of 2024.[2] Its government includes an electoral director's seat on the Kitimat–Stikine Regional District board. There have been discussions about developing a more independent system of local government in Thornhill (e.g., Incorporation) so that constituents have more impact on how their own community grows and how tax dollars are spent.[3]
Terrace and Thornhill currently share the V8G postal code FSA, 250 area code and most phone number prefixes (e.g., 635, 638, 615, 631 and 641, in order of introduction). High speed cable internet also provides home phone services with prefix 778 used in various locations throughout British Columbia.
Mail is properly addressed as being directed to Thornhill, B.C., specifically, is the correct way to address mail going to Thornhill as their postal code indicates Thornhill. Thornhill has their own fire hall, a community grounds and hall, tennis courts, schools, a trades training centre, hotels, motels, restaurants, gas stations, a golf course, a rifle range and many more amenities.
Thornhill's name is referenced to Tom Thornhill who was an English settler and Eliza Thornhill (nee Wright), a prominent member of a Kitselas family. They built their cabin on the banks of the mighty Skeena River, traversing the area traveling by canoe. Eliza trapped and hunted while Tom worked in the Steamboat trade. Tom was captain of one of the paddle-wheelers that ran along the Skeena River. Sadly, Eliza died on her trap-line in 1907 and Tom died in Prince Rupert, BC in 1910.
Thornhill is blessed to be settled on traditional territories of the Tsimshian Nation territory, specifically that of the Kitselas peoples. Surrounding First Nations include of the traditional territories of Nisga'a, Gitxsan, Wet'suwet'en, Haisla, Heiltsuk, and Tahltan Nations. We respectfully acknowledge the privileges of living in our region, and collaborating and working with First nations.
While colonial structures were and institutions were implemented many years ago, we still live with the impact of those decisions. Thornhill seeks to include our local First Nations Peoples on all aspects of community development through partnerships, inclusion, and consultation to work towards a better future.