Winter Harbour
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Winter Harbour is the western-most settlement on the west coast about from the northwest tip of
Vancouver Island Vancouver Island is an island in the northeastern Pacific Ocean and part of the Canadian Provinces and territories of Canada, province of British Columbia. The island is in length, in width at its widest point, and in total area, while are o ...
,
British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...
. This unincorporated community on Winter Harbour is on the northern side of
Quatsino Sound , image = Coal Harbour, Port Hardy, BC.jpg , image_size = 260px , alt = , caption = Coal Harbour, a village located in Holberg Inlet , image_bathymetry = , alt_bathymetry = , caption_b ...
at the mouth.


First Nations & seafarers

The harbour name has been used at least since 1871, being a safe natural harbour along a coast noted for turbulent seas. A number of tribes have historically occupied the area, but
smallpox Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by variola virus (often called smallpox virus) which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus. The last naturally occurring case was diagnosed in October 1977, and the World Health Organization (WHO) c ...
and intertribal warfare decimated populations in the 1800s. Nowadays, the locality falls within the
Quatsino First Nation The Quatsino First Nation is the First Nations band government of the Gwat'sinux subgroup of the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples, based in the Quatsino Sound region on the west coast of northern Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, focused on the ...
asserted territory.


Early community

In 1890, the townsite for Queenstown, the former name, was laid out. The next year, Jobe (Joseph) Leeson preempted property. In 1892, the trading post, sawmill, and other buildings were erected. J.L. Leeson & Son Trading Post traded with First Nations and whaling ships. In 1904, he opened the Winter Harbour Canning Co. This crab and clam cannery was sold in 1911 and the equipment moved to the Mahatta area. In the early 1900s, dyking to create farmland occurred immediately southwest at Browning Inlet, but the benefits were short lived. The harbour name changed to Leeson Harbour in 1930 and reverted in 1947. When the population peaked in the early 1940s, the community name officially became Winter Harbour.


Logging

In 1928, Albert Moore established a logging venture, operating from a floating camp. In 1950, son Bill moved W.D. Moore Logging operations on land about from the settlement. In the 1960s, Bill founded a non-profit organization, which finances tours that expose urban teachers to forestry operations in BC. He was also a poet and avid jazz musician, using the boom years of logging in the late 1960s to help finance three 'Downtown Winter Harbour Music Festivals' in 1967, 1969, and 1971. The company has freely provided waste recycling, road grading, fire protection, and first aid for the community. In 2017, the business closed, laying off about 25 people. Eliminating the main economic anchor, the community has become almost a
ghost town Ghost Town(s) or Ghosttown may refer to: * Ghost town, a town that has been abandoned Film and television * Ghost Town (1936 film), ''Ghost Town'' (1936 film), an American Western film by Harry L. Fraser * Ghost Town (1956 film), ''Ghost Town'' ...
in winter.


Fishing

In the 1970s, up to 200 boats would gather in the harbour while awaiting the opening of the Pacific salmon fishery. During the season, around 1,500 boats would pass through the harbour, which hosted numerous fish buyers. This presence disappeared with the reduction of the allowable catch for the commercial salmon industry in the late 1990s. About 15 years later, the sports fishing industry began revitalizing the community. Nowadays, guides cater to recreational fishing in Quatsino Sound and the adjacent offshore area.


Accidents & tragedies

1953: An 8-year-old boy fell from a floating dock and drowned. 1969: A 14-year-old boy burned to death. 1977: Helicopters sprayed toxic
herbicide Herbicides (, ), also commonly known as weedkillers, are substances used to control undesired plants, also known as weeds.EPA. February 201Pesticides Industry. Sales and Usage 2006 and 2007: Market Estimates. Summary in press releasMain page fo ...
on a school bus and a car travelling on the forestry service road to Holberg.


Later community

In 2011, the census recorded 20 permanent residents, dropping to five by 2016. Nowadays, two remain. However, many of the 59 private dwellings are occupied seasonally, but the future, which is dependent upon tourism, is uncertain. The Outpost general store provides groceries, fuel, accommodation and marina moorage, but the store hours are very limited outside of summertime. Popular are the seaside boardwalk, and kayaking the Mackjack River to Raft Cove.
Quatsino Provincial Park Quatsino Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada, located on Quatsino Sound on northern Vancouver Island. History The park was established July 12, 1995. Conservation This undeveloped park protects some of the largest o ...
and
Raft Cove Provincial Park Raft Cove Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada, located south of San Josef Bay on northwestern Vancouver Island. History The park was established on March 8, 1990. Conservation Raft Cove contains features characteri ...
are nearby. The coastal beaches draw surfers.


References


External links

* {{coord, 50, 31, N, 128, 02, W, region:CA-BC_type:city_source:BCGeographicalNames, display=title Designated places in British Columbia Populated places in the Regional District of Mount Waddington Unincorporated settlements in British Columbia Quatsino Sound region