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Throughout
history, British Columbia’s Gulf Islands — located in
the Strait of Georgia between Victoria and Vancouver — has
been a sanctuary for those seeking shelter.
Map by Steven Fick |
Place of refuge
From Athabascans to ex-slaves, hippies to cultural misfits,
follow a timeline of the islands’ history of sanctuary.
By Jenn Hardy
Pre-1700s
The Coast Salish First Nations lived a nomadic lifestyle on the West Coast
for thousands of years including time spent living, fishing and hunting
on the Gulf Islands.
1700s
The Gulf Islands are explored by the Spanish and British.
1792
Captain George Vancouver claimed the Gulf Islands for the British Crown,
countering attempts by the Spanish to build a fort on western Vancouver
Island. The Spanish sign an agreement with the British to cede any land
claims in the region.
1858
A gold rush hits the Fraser River. Prospectors had to row from Fort Victoria
on Vancouver Island where their ships landed, across the Strait of Georgia
to reach the gold. Mayne Island became a popular stop-over for prospectors
on their way and it remained the commercial hub of the Gulf Islands
through the late 1800s. Known as "little hell," here was even
a jail on the island for trouble-making prospectors.
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Known as "little hell," here
was even a jail on the island for trouble-making prospectors. |
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1858-59
A British expedition explores the region to create better maps of the Strait
of Georgia. They name the islands, mountains and waterways in the Gulf Islands.
Most of the names can be traced to early explorers and the native presence
in the area.
1859
Settlers from all parts of the world arrive, as transportation to the
Gulf Islands is made easier thanks to the gold rush that has put Fort
Victoria on the maps of shipping routes. Many of the settlers were African
American, escaping slavery from California. Portuguese, Hawaiian, Japanese,
Australian and European people also settled. The land was cheap — some
figures say $1.25 per acre. That year, close to 120 people took advantage
of the opportunity. Their families established farms, businesses and
began fishing in the region.
1885
St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Saltspring’s first church, was
built on the east side of Fulford Harbour, as was the Little Red School
House, the oldest continuously used school house in B.C., built near Ruckle
Park.
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Captain George Vancouver claimed the Gulf
Islands for the British Crown. |
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1890
Saltspring evolves into the busiest of the Gulf Islands. By this time
there were 80 farms and 450 people that called the island home.
1930s
Tourism evolves on the Gulf Islands, particularly Saltspring, as transportation
routes become better established. Many of the smaller islands lack ferry
service. Some, such as Thetis Island, lacked electricity until the 1950s.
1960s
Draft-dodgers flocked to the islands, particularly Saltspring, which to
this retains its reputation as a hippie haven.
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Draft-dodgers flocked to the islands, particularly
Saltspring, which to this retains its reputation as a hippie haven. |
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1974
The Islands Trust was established "To preserve and protect" the
largest of the Gulf Islands as their population continues to grow.
Present
About 25,000 people call the Gulf Islands home. Of those, about 10,500
live on Saltspring Island. Saltspring remains the hub of the Gulf Islands,
hosting 250,000 tourists each year. The early farmers gave way to draft
dodgers who gave way to wealthy cottagers. Remnants of them all exist
today, where farms and artists populate the interior and million-dollar
homes and cottages border the shores. This influx of wealthy landowners,
counting the likes of Robin Williams, Al Pacino and Goldie Hawn, led
to the recent creation of the first major affordable housing project
on the Gulf Islands.
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