Posts by Archivist
circa 1920 – 1940: USSC Expansion
When Union Steamship Company bought the land from Captain Cates, they quickly began adding amenities to the land. In 1922, 7 cottages were built around the hotel, adding to the 28 already standing between the hotel and tennis courts. By this time, there was 180 cottages in forest between Snug Cove and Deep Bay, and…
Read Morecirca 1920: Residential Communities
Distinct communities began to develop early in Bowen’s history; these were early residential plans for Bowen Island’s land. In 1927, a summer community was planned for Hood Point, and the land was purchased from Captain Cates. The plan is for the area is shown below. First, 13 cottages were built, but by the 1930’s, 21…
Read Morecirca 1910: The Resort Era Begins
In 1900, Captain John Cates purchased the old Mannion estate at Deep Bay and began the Hotel Monaco, beginning the frenzied resort era on the island. Three hundred fruit trees were planted north of the lagoon, land was cleared for playgrounds, more cottages and tents, twelve portable houses and a store. The grounds were used…
Read Morecirca 1910: Subdivisions for Campers
In 1912, the land at Scarborough and Eaglecliff was subdivided into quarter acre lots at $125 each, and half acre lots at $200, and in 1915 the land was later used for tents built for campers. 1909: Plan of Lot 1553. 1914: Plan of District Lot 1552
Read Morecirca 1900: Tourists Incoming
The tourism business had an early start on Bowen Island— the close proximity that made it so ideal for resouce extraction made it a close holiday get-away for Vancouver residents. The Howe Sound Hotel at Hood Point (late 1890’s) was the first hotel open to the public on Bowen Island, and was mainly used by…
Read Morecirca 1900: The Arrival of Industry
In Bowen’s early days, the land provided rich resources for individuals and corporations alike. The photographs below at Deep Bay and Tunstall Bay show that the land was an attractive source of resources, as the ocean provided easy access to thick forest stands, and Vancouver’s ports were nearby. Beginning in 1884 when Royal City Planning…
Read MoreLate 1800s: Early Settlement
The maps below show the plots of land that settlers chose to begin their life on the island. The Admirality Chart was used by the Department of BC Lands to plot district lots for settlers. Early arrivals to Bowen Island came to live off the land and make use of Bowen Island’s abundant resources; most…
Read MoreLate 1800s: The Land Ordinance Act
The Land Ordinance Act of 1870 allowed a male British subject over eighteen to pre-empt a plot of land for a minimum of four years. WJ Davies’ pre-emption claim on Lot 490 in Snug Cove was the first official pre-emption. Other early pre-emptions include Joseph Mannion’s in 1885 (Lot 492 at Tunstall Bay). 1889: Bowen…
Read MoreLate 1700s: European Naval Expeditions
Spanish explorer Captain Narveaz sailed across the entrance to Howe Sound in 1791 and named Bowen Island ‘Isla de Apodaca’ (Bowen Island became the official name in 1859). A year later, Captain George Vancouver arrived to visit and trade with local Natives. The first point of European contact marked the beginning of a major transition…
Read MorePre-1792: Pre-Contact
Part of Squamish Coast Salish territory, ‘Xwlil’xhwm’ (‘fast drumming ground’), was known as a neutral meeting ground for various Native groups. Early settlers remember a village (‘Qolelaqom’) at Snug Cove. Seasonal or not, Bowen Island was a major hunting and gathering ground for the Squamish, who had fish traps in Snug Cove, dug clams in…
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