Powell River Historical Museum & Archives
  • Exhibits
    • Current Exhibits
    • Forestry Building
    • Virtual Exhibits >
      • Symphonies of the Sunshine Coast
      • Capturing Mountains
      • Story of Cedar
      • Powell River Firsts
      • Rod LeMay Collection
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      • Research Requests
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      • Record of Military Service
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    • Public Programs >
      • Speaker Series
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      • Educator's Survey
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      • Portal To the Past
      • The Coast Memoirs
      • A Taste of Powell River's History
      • The Crafty Corner
      • Blast from the Past
      • Dive Into the Archives
    • Historical Tours
    • Memoirs
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    • First Nations History
    • Place Names
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Community History

qathet Regional District

Meaning: Working Together
​
A name gifted to the Regional District by Tla’amin Nation Elders.

The history of the settlement of the qathet Regional District reaches much further back in time than the following community headings. The neighbourhoods and communities featured here are located on the traditional territory of the Tla'amin Nation. Archaeological evidence indicates that the Tla'amin people occupied the region for at least 7,600 years. 

While industry was dominated in the qathet Regional District by the activities and enterprises of the Powell River Company over the years, the success of the region was ensured by the many businesses, many privately owned and operated, that provided goods and services to the communities within the region. 

From the first schools on Texada Island in 1898 to the modern Brooks Secondary School on Marine Avenue, the qathet Regional District also has a long history of providing education for its youthful community members,  A lot has changed since Powell River's first classroom was held in a pool room in 1911. 
Did you know?

​An amalgamation in 1955, resulted in the independent villages of Wildwood, Townsite, Cranberry, and Westview, to be united all together under one entity: the Municipality of Powell River. As a result, many street names were changed in 1959 because of overlaps.

​Click here to see the January 1959 map distributed to the public, informing the community on the changes. 

Community Histories & Neighbourhoods

Check back for new entries on the various communities that make up the qathet Regional District! 
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TOWNSITE - TISKʷAT
​The Townsite is a designated National Historic District and contains over 400 historic buildings! The homes in this neighbourhood were built by the Powell River Company for their employees.
Learn More >
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LUND - ƛAʔAMƐN
Located approximately 30 km north of Powell River, Lund was first a village site for the Tla'amin people. In 1889, Fred and Charles Thulin settled the area and named it Lund.
Learn More >
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WILDWOOD
In 1914 homesteaders arrived in Wildwood where they worked tirelessly to clear the land. Wildwood has since become known for its agriculture, as well as its Italian cultural presence.​
Learn More >
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LANG BAY - ​MƐTOKOMƐN
Lang Bay is one of the earliest settled communities in the qathet Regional District, and beginning in the 1890s, was the site of logging and shingle-bolt companies.. Lang Creek, which runs into the bay, has always been an important place within Tla'amin territory due to the creek's salmon runs.​
Learn More >

Community Festivals

Powell River hosts a wide array of festivals and events throughout the year. These celebrate the arts, culture, music, and even blackberries! Annual events like the Blackberry Festival, brings the community together and has been the source of many fond memories over the years.
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MISS POWELL RIVER / PAPER QUEEN
​
 Powell River's First Pageant Competition which began in 1925.. 
Learn More >
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SEA FAIR
Powell River's longest running festival, from 1963 to 2015.
Learn More >

People

Like any community, qathet has its share of interesting and important individuals who have helped make our community what it is today. 
Learn More >
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Olive Devaud

(1887-1969) Nurse & Philanthropist 
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The Sing Family

Chinese Immigrants & First Merchants
​in Powell River

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Chief Tom

(~1870-1955) Last Hereditary Chief of the Tla’amin Nation
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We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!

Hours ​
Tuesday to Saturday
10 am - 3 pm

(​Closed Statutory Holidays)
Contact Us
4790 Marine Avenue, Powell River BC
info@powellrivermuseum.ca
604-485-2222
All rights reserved 2021 - Powell River Historical Museum & Archives
​Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of material on this website. Dates and times are subject to change. 
  • Exhibits
    • Current Exhibits
    • Forestry Building
    • Virtual Exhibits >
      • Symphonies of the Sunshine Coast
      • Capturing Mountains
      • Story of Cedar
      • Powell River Firsts
      • Rod LeMay Collection
  • Collections
    • Objects
    • Archives >
      • Research Requests
      • Indexes & Finding Aids
      • Archival Descriptions
      • Powell River Digester
      • Phone Books & Directories
      • Good Citizen
      • Record of Military Service
    • Local History Books
  • Programs
    • Public Programs >
      • Speaker Series
      • Artifact
      • Papermaking
    • School Programs >
      • Educator's Survey
    • Online Programs >
      • Portal To the Past
      • The Coast Memoirs
      • A Taste of Powell River's History
      • The Crafty Corner
      • Blast from the Past
      • Dive Into the Archives
    • Historical Tours
    • Memoirs
  • Learn
    • First Nations History
    • Place Names
    • Forestry History
    • Community History
    • Heritage Stops
    • Blog
  • Support
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Careers
  • About
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Name Change
    • Our Mandate
    • News & Reports
    • Staff & Board
    • Contact Us