Caleb Vieira - Pemberton Holmes Ltd. - Duncan Office
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Please scroll down to see the full page below, featuring Maps, Facts, History and information on the Cowichan Valley.
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Also see: History of the Town of Lake Cowichan
A Brief History of Duncan and
The Cowichan Valley
| Duncan is the hub of the Cowichan
Valley, which is the traditional home of the Coast Salish Indians. The
Cowichan, makers of the world famous Cowichan Sweaters, are the largest
band and still make their home in Canada's only Maritime-Mediterranean
climate zone.
The first settlers arrived in the Mill Bay area in 1848. Ten years later Giovanni Ordano became the first storekeeper when he opened a store and hotel in Cowichan Bay. This establishment exists today as the Masthead Restaurant. In 1862 one hundred settlers arrived in Cowichan Bay aboard the HMS Hecate in the company of Governor James Douglas. 1866 saw the first agricultural fair for the valley and in 1870 the famous old stone church was built between Cowichan Bay and Duncan. Duncan came to be in 1886 when the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railroad was completed and William Duncans was asked to provide a stop on his farmland. This farmland just happens to be downtown Duncan today. In 1896 copper was discovered and for six years beginning in 1902 a mine was the main economic contributor. Since the closing of the mine, forest related industries, agriculture, and tourism have been the economic forces. 1912 saw the incorporation of Duncan City and the next year a post office was built which is now Duncan's City Hall. In 1985 Duncan became the "City of Totems" when it was decided to erect original totems honouring the city's First Nations Heritage. Other area communities include Shawnigan Lake, Port Renfrew, Cobble Hill, Genoa Bay, Maple Bay, Crofton, Chemainus, Lake Cowichan, Youbou, Honeymoon Bay and Ladysmith. |
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The community is named after William Chalmers Duncan, born 1836 in Sarnia, Ontario. He arrived in Victoria in May 1862, then in August of that year was one of the party of a hundred settlers which Governor Douglas took to Cowichan Bay. After going off on several gold rushes, Duncan settled close to the present city of Duncan. He married in 1876, and his son Kenneth became the first mayor of Duncan. A street bears his name today.
Duncan's farm was named Alderlea, and this was the first name of the adjacent settlement. In August of 1886, the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway was opened. No stop had been scheduled at Alderlea for the inaugural train bearing Sir John A. Macdonald and Robert Dunsmuir. However, at Duncan's Crossing, the level crossing nearest Alderlea, a crowd of 2000 had assembled around a decorated arch and the train came to an unplanned halt, quite literally putting it on the map.
Duncan is about 50 kilometres from both Victoria to the south and Nanaimo to the north. Although the City of Duncan has a population of just 4,812 it serves the Cowichan Valley, which has a population of 77,561. Duncan is the seat of the Cowichan Valley Regional District. It derives the name from Quw’utsun’ > Khowutzun > Cowichan. Literally translated from Coast Salish into "The Warm Land". Duncan records the highest average temperature in Canada at 11c.
Duncan's tourism slogan is "The City of Totems". The city has many totem poles around the downtown area, which were erected in the late 1980's, including the world's largest Totem pole, carved by First Nations artisan Simon Charlie.
Duncan has a large First Nations community, and is the traditional home of the Coast Salish Natives, who are the largest band in the Coast Salish tribe. The Salish are makers of the world famous Cowichan Sweaters.
Duncan is home to the BC Forest Discovery Centre. Before the U.S.-Canada softwood lumber dispute, Duncan and the whole Cowichan Valley were a thriving lumber centre in British Columbia.
Duncan has the world's largest ice hockey stick, which is on display on the side of the local arena (Cowichan Community Centre). The stick was made specifically for Expo 86 in Vancouver. The accompanying puck, however, is not the world's largest puck.
Malaspina University-College has a small campus in Duncan that offers programs and courses in university transfer, access, trades and applied technology, health and human services, and career and academic preparation. The campus also has a Continuing Education department that offers certificate programs, personal and professional development courses, and online courses.
Public schools in the Cowichan Valley are part of School District 79.
Also see: History of the Town of Lake Cowichan
Caleb Vieira
Pemberton Holmes Ltd. - Duncan Office
23 Queens Road, Duncan, B.C. V9L 2W1
250-746-8123 (Office) 250-746-8115 (fax)
250-710-3658 (Cell)
My Listings: Properties and houses for sale in the Cowichan Valley, click here!
Now accepting New Listings, click here to see how I can help you.
