The former steamboat landing and ferry terminal is at the mouth of Springer Creek, at the foot of Slocan Lake.

Slocan became the accepted anglicized version of the wide variety of other spellings, the earliest of which was Shlogan River in 1859.

[6] After the initial activity at Sandon, prospectors extended their range of exploration to the south and west.

[10] The Arlington mine, near the confluence of Speculator and Springer creeks, 8 kilometres (5 mi) east-northeast was worked extensively 1899–1903, then intermittently until 1979.

[14] The Meteor property, at the head of Tobin Creek, 8 kilometres (5 mi) east was worked intermittently.

[23] The Women's Institute played a vital role in the welfare of residents and those serving in the armed services during the world wars.

In June 1958, Slocan reincorporated as a village to receive provincial funding for road maintenance, schools, and policing.

In 1897, the CP Columbia and Kootenay Railway (C&KR) branch line from South Slocan opened, reversing the ore flow southward.

In 1928, the one-lane road (with pull outs) north to Silverton opened,[20] heralding the beginning of the end for lake traffic.

[29] Slocan was one of the West Kootenay internment camps housing Japanese Canadians removed from the BC coast during World War II.

Famous Japanese Canadians who attended the school included architect Raymond Moriyama, environmentalist David Suzuki and Joy Kogawa.

[32] Other internment centres in the Slocan region were at Lemon Creek, New Denver, Rosebery, Kaslo and Sandon.

Slocan is a launching point for travellers en route to Valhalla Provincial Park.

Slocan Beach, with its gazebo and boat launch, hosts public events and provides lake access.

[33] A series of waterfalls includes a set that flows through the Springer Creek RV Park & Campground, which is on Giffan Ave, the central access road into Slocan.

[34] Slocan City was featured on the history-themed television series Gold Trails and Ghost Towns (season 2, episode 7).