Ethel was born in Santa Barbara, California on January 1, 1934 to Ernest and Daisy Cass, and grew up in Lompoc, California.
In 1953 Ethel married Gordon and they made their home first in Edmonton, Alberta, and then in Regina, Saskatchewan. Gordon worked with Don Rae Construction and then started Gordon Bell Homes, and over the course of 8 years he designed and built approximately 800 houses.
Ethel and Gordon wanted to build a complex in BC, and Ethel insisted that they find a spot near water. They bought the property at Three Valley in 1956. They had been collecting antiques for years, starting with vintage cars, and eventually moving up to heritage buildings. They started building Three Valley Gap in 1959, mostly on weekends. Gordon and Ethel would pack up their 4 children and drive from Regina (over 800 miles on the Big Bend Highway) and work all weekend, then drive back. Three Valley Motel opened in 1960 with 7 motel rooms, 7 seats in the coffee shop, and a small museum. The Bell Family moved permanently from Regina to Three Valley in 1964.
In the 1960’s, tourism was just starting to develop in BC, so Ethel and Gordon had to work hard not just to build Three Valley Gap, but also to help build tourism as an industry and get visitors to come to BC. Throughout the years Gordon and Ethel travelled to meetings and tourism marketing conventions throughout Canada and the United States. Ethel and Gordon’s influence on Tourism BC was felt beyond the property line of Three Valley Gap. Gordon and a group of friends and businessmen created the province’s first Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) organization in BC in 1975, precursor to Council of Tourism Association (COTA) Regions.
Over the years, Three Valley Gap has grown to include 200 rooms, gardens, restaurants, and over 30 furnished buildings in the Historic Ghost Town plus a Railway Roundhouse and antique car museum. The Bell family’s younger generations will continue to operate the resort for years to come.
Ethel received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Senator Nancy Greene Raine presented Ethel with the medal for her lifelong pursuit of preserving Canadian history for future generations and for her pioneering spirit helping build and operate a lasting legacy for her family while influencing the growth of tourism in BC.
For the past number of years, Ethel could be found every day keeping council in the office at 3 Valley. Sitting quietly, keeping an eye on everyone, greeting all staff and visitors with a smile. She will be missed.
Ethel Louise Bell passed away on February 6th, 2022 at the age of 88.
Learn more about The Founders of 3 Valley Gap.
