Horsefly (Post Office) "not Harper's Camp" adopted in the 1930 BC Gazetteer as long-identified on maps. Confirmed 12 December 1939 on 93A/6. Form of name changed to Horsefly (Community) 14 January 1983 on 93A/6.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

Harper's Camp Post Office was opened 1 July 1897. Renamed Horsefly Post Office 1 July 1921. See Harper's Camp for origin information.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

"The name was originally given to the river and lake, some say by the Indians, because of the prevalence of horseflies in the district. Horsefly Mining Company's post office closed 1908. Settlers drew lots in 1920 for a new post office name; all but one entry favoured 'Horsefly'." (Donald Stainsby, Vancouver Province, 4 November 1961, p.5)

Source: Provincial Archives of BC "Place Names File" compiled 1945-1950 by A.G. Harvey from various sources, with subsequent additions

Originally called Harper's Camp after Thaddeus Harper, pioneer rancher and miner. The Indians called the Horsefly River "The Wild Water." The present name of the village, lake and river comes from the fact that every summer this country is infested with horseflies.

Source: Akrigg, Helen B. and Akrigg, G.P.V; 1001 British Columbia Place Names; Discovery Press, Vancouver 1969, 1970, 1973.