Category Archives: history

The story of the H

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Katherine

This sign at the Comox Dam Recreation Area twigged a few memories, including the huge BC Hydro H symbol on the headquarters building at 989 Nelson Street at Burrard in Vancouver, British Columbia , and the horns that sounded the … Continue reading →

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Low tide at Union Bay

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Katherine

I remember driving past Union Bay when I was very young, then later as a young adult, and just yesterday as a not so young adult – I finally stopped and poked about for a few minutes at a decent … Continue reading →

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RCAF Tofino

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Katherine

Originally opened 1943 as a “Radio Detachment”, RCAF Tofino was part of a chain of radar stations conducting surveillance of the Pacific Coast, primarily due to threat of Japanese incendiary balloons.The RCAF, due to the threat of Japanese incendiary balloons … Continue reading →

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Martin Mars Fire Base

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Katherine

I was looking for the Martin Mars water bombers (flying tankers) on Sproat Lake, and much to my dismay, was suckered by the sign above – it appeared to be indicating that the Fish and Duck Pub was the home … Continue reading →

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Highway 4

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Katherine

Originally connecting Coombs and Port Alberni, the “Alberni Highway” was originally designated as Highway 1A. In 1964 it was re-designated as Highway 4. In 1959 a  logging road was punched through the mountains between Port Alberni and the coast. Travellers … Continue reading →

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Parksville – an old house

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Katherine

This rather dejected house is just off Highway 19 at the north side of Parksville. It was once a nice house, and likely could be again, although it is more likely to be bulldozed for new development.  

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Bloedel, Stewart & Welch No. 4

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Katherine

Bloedel, Stewart & Welch No. 4  was built in 1925 for Bloedel, Stewart, & Welch Limited, the forest company that would become MacMillan-Bloedel Ltd. The locomotive is a 2-8-2T “Mikado” sidetank locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925 … Continue reading →

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Beacon Hill Park – Garry oaks

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Katherine

  Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) on the hill at Beacon Hill Park In 1843, Hudson’s Bay Company officers lined up two beacons on Mount Beacon to mark Brotchie Ledge. The western most beacon had a blue triangle and the other … Continue reading →

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Bloedel Stewart & Welch No. 1

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Katherine

Bloedel, Stewart & Welch was formed in 1911 by US lumberman Julius Bloedel and railway contractors John Stewart and Patrick Welch. BS&W’s first logging operation was at Myrtle Point, near Powell River, for which the Shay was purchased new from … Continue reading →

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Victoria – Chinese Cemetery

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Katherine

In 1903 the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association purchased 3.5 acres of land at Harling Point and established the Chinese Cemetery. The cemetery was traditionally  used as a temporary repose before final interment in China, a pattern which reflected the desires … Continue reading →

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