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 Mills pre-empted Lot 489 (close to Snug Cove) many would take advantage of the island’s resources; Tunstall Bay, Bowen Bay, Sealeigh Park and Bluewater Park were all owned by various lumber companies. Logging camps on the island provided a living for many settlers, while clay and slate were extracted to send to American and Canadian ports, and a brickyard operated north of Terminal Creek on Lot 490. Copper mines were located south of Dorman point and on the northeast side of the island near Cates Bay. In 1911, an explosives factory under Western Explosive and George Tunstall was located at Lot 492.