Map
2001: Public Use
The map below shows areas of public and recreational land use (represented by the dots), and rural use (represented by the diagonal lines) interspersed with blocks of residential housing. While Bowen’s land has been used for residences since settlers first began coming to the island in the late 1800’s, the focus on land for public…
Read Morecirca 1970: Various Land Uses
The major themes of land use change on Bowen Island are captured in this image of Snug Cove. The Collins Farm (still present today) provides a link to the early farming and pioneering days, while the old hotel site is marked. Residential and commmerical land use dominate the areas closest to the ferry, and Crippen…
Read Morecirca 1960: Major Transitions
Four categories of land use are shown here: residential, commercial, industrial and rural. This map highlights the transition from resource extraction/industrial land use that dominated Bowen’s early history to a largely residential/rural island with developed blocks of neighborhoods: Hood Point, Miller’s Landing/Scarbourough/Eaglecliff/Deep Bay/Snug Cove, Mt. Gardner Park, and Bowen Bay/Tunstall Bay/Bluewater, and Cowan’s Point. Here,…
Read More1962: End of the Resort Era
The year 1962 saw a major transition in land use, when the Union Steamship Company put their Snug Point subdivision on the market, thus drawing to a close the booming resort industry. The 17 acres between Snug Cove and Deep Bay, where the dance pavilion, bandstand, tearoom and picnic ground were was sectioned into private…
Read Morecirca 1950: Neighbourhoods Emerge
The New Wesminster map of Bowen’s legend shows logging roads, as well as power and telephone lines. Distinct neighborhoods of denser lots and residences can be seen at Cowan’s Point, Hood point, Mt. Gardner Park, and mid-island, although notice that Bluewater is in the early stages of subdivision, while Tunstall Bay has not yet been…
Read Morecirca 1950: Development Continues…
The west side of Bowen Island, including Tunstall Bay, Bowen Bay and Bluewater have all been owned by various logging companies (and by Western Explosives) starting from the late 1800’s. In 1938, a transition between industrial and residential land use occured, when the Adams family bought 850 acres at Tunstall Bay, accessible only by boat…
Read Morecirca 1940: USSC Holdings
The aerial photo shows the extent of the Union Steamship Company’s holdings. The physical landscape has some noticeable changes from today’s view – for instance, Snug Cove has not yet been dredged (the sand extends out much further), and the different shades of forest stands indicate recent logging tracts. The Union Steamships Ltd map shows…
Read Morecirca 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: 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: 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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