Quatsino, British Columbia

Quatsino is a small hamlet [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlet_%28place%29] of 91 people located on Quatsino Sound in Northern Vancouver Island, Canada only accessible by boat or float plane. Its nearest neighbour is Coal Harbour, to the east, about 20 minutes away by boat, and Port Alice, to the south, about 40 minutes away by boat. The largest town Port Hardy, about an hour southeast by boat and vehicle.

Description

The village is known to have one of British Columbia's only still used public one room schoolhouses, a two story wooden building built in 1935. The oldest building on the North Island is also located in Quatsino, a woodland chapel called St. Olaf's Anglican Church, a popular site for weddings. It was built in 1897. Quatsino was originally settled by Norweign farmers from North Dakota who arrived via steam ship in 1894 when they answered the call to colonize, homestead and farm thirty 80 acre lots offered free through Crown Grants- publicized at the Chicago World Exposition of 1893. Soon freight service to Victoria was established, along with a Post Office and Customs Office and a Government Wharf. The area grew as resources were developed and the area boasted numerous mines, canneries, general stores, rental cabins, a hotel, a saloon, Telegraph office and an Imperial Oil fuel station. The village was a thriving community up until the 1940's. The Post Office is still in operation and two cemeteries mark the history of the community. Colony Lake is a favorite swimming spot and a popular destination for canoing and lake trout fishing.

High speed internet via satellite arrived in the spring of 2007, replacing slow speed dial up in most of the community. The newest destination for visitors to the area is the Quatsino Museum, which was opened the summer of 2007.

Popularity

Since 2003 Quatsino has become an increasingly popular destination for sports fishing and kayaking, bird watching and whale watching. There are numerous sports fishing lodges that have opened as a result.

References

*“The Quatsino Chronicle” by Gwen Hansen
*“Norwegians in the Northwest” by Eric Faa
*“History of Quatsino Colony” by George Nordstrom
*“Dreams of Freedom” by Gordon Fish