Campbell River History
It is often said that Canada is a nation of immigrants, yet indigenous peoples, the ancestors of today’s First Nations, have tended this land for more than 8,000 years. Their beliefs, language and culture evolved here, not elsewhere, and for them this place is both motherland and fatherland. In villages along the coasts of Vancouver Island and Quadra Island, indigenous peoples developed rich cultural traditions which remain alive and visible today.
The area around Campbell River was first visited by Europeans in the late 18th century, when both British and Spanish ships explored what is now the British Columbia coastline. Captain George Vancouver of the ship the ‘Discovery’ first viewed the Discovery Passage (between Vancouver Island and Quadra Island) in 1792.
These early explorers encountered a number of native villages along the Passage. Although it is believed that these villages were then populated by Salish speaking peoples, it is possible that the Lekwiltok people, who occupied territory to the north, had already begun their southward expansion and were in the area at this time. Certainly by the mid-1800’s, it is the Lekwiltok who were in control of the strategic hunting, trading and fishing grounds of Discovery Passage.
The massive stands of timber drew loggers to the area during the latter half of the 19th century. Settlers wanting to farm soon followed, and fishermen and sportsmen were lured here by reports of huge salmon and abundant trout.
The first hotel in the area was built in 1904 by two enterprising brothers from Sweden, Charles and Fred Thulin. Named the ‘Willows’, this new establishment would accommodate the growing number of loggers and visiting sportsmen. By 1908, however, it was already clear that a larger facility was needed and a new ‘Willow’s was constructed, with the original building becoming the ‘Annex’. This version of the hotel was destroyed by fire the next year, and a third hotel was built. The Willows Hotel remained a coastal landmark for half a century, and the community of Campbell River grew up around it.
A large party headed by BC’s Commissioner of Lands arrived to stay at the elegant new Willows in 1910. They had come to conduct an exploratory survey of central Vancouver Island, and the result of their expedition was the founding of BC’s first provincial park, Strathcona, situated 45 km west of the town. This truly wilderness park has the highest mountain peak on the island, the Golden Hinde, and many awe inspiring waterfalls, including Della Falls (Canada’s highest waterfall). The well-known Comox Glacier is also within park boundaries.
In 1924, as a response to the large influx of visitors arriving in Campbell River bent on catching the mighty Tyee salmon, the Tyee Club of British Columbia was established. Their purpose was to regulate and protect the sport and they created a set of rules that called for skill and restraint, principles which are continued by the Club and its members to this day.
The famous author and conservationist Roderick Haig-Brown (1908-1976), who came to Campbell River in the 1930’s, wrote his books on fly fishing and conservation from his home on the banks of the Campbell River. Today, the home is designated as a Heritage Site and is dedicated to preserving Haig-Brown’s influence and legacy, while operating as a bed and breakfast in the summer months.
In the 1940’s, a huge hydro-electric project was initiated (which incidentally, Haig-Brown opposed) to develop the power potential of the Campbell River system. It took 13 years to complete, and included construction of three dams. A new era of prosperity began and when the Elk Falls Pulp and Paper Mill opened in 1952, this further escalated Campbell River’s development and growth.
Campbell River is also noted as being home to the largest non-nuclear explosion in history. Prior to 1958, boats navigating the narrow passageway between Campbell River and Quadra Island were plagued by a marine hazard known as Ripple Rock. This deadly mountain of rock was the cause of numerous shipwrecks and lost lives. It was blown apart in a spectacular eruption of rock and water 300 metres (1,000 ft) high and one of Canada’s first live television broadcasts carried the sight right across the country. In 2008, the Ripple Rock explosion was declared a National Significant Event by Heritage Canada.
The Museum at Campbell River was first established in 1958, and brings the human history of the area to life. Today, visitors can relive the drama of the Ripple Rock explosion in the Museum’s comfortable theatre, enter the faithfully reproduced lobby of the once elegant Willows Hotel as it was circa 1914, be enchanted by a First Nations legend come to life, and experience the early days of fishing, logging and pioneeering.
