HIST 3991 : ASSESSMENT 1 / ASSIGNMENT 1

Exercise 1: Local Environmental History.    

OLFM : Norman Fennema

HIST3991 – Environmental History

Richard Scott 

May 20th, 2022

My Local Environment: Bowen Island BC

I live in Snug Cove, Bowen Island – island population of 4256 (Census 2021 – Statistics Canada); a 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay and West Vancouver. My neighbourhood borders on the ‘downtown’ of Bowen, where most commercial activity occurs. My house is situated on the old First Aid station grounds from the 1950s, when Bowen was nicknamed the Happy Isle as holidaying Vancouverites came here for fun and games. We have left nostalgic items like a fire hydrant and water fountain in our yard.

The non-human environment has gone through interesting changes. One I could find was from our local newspaper, Bowen Island Undercurrent, where geologists estimated land changes over many millennia: (attached is a map approximating how Bowen looked like 12,500 years ago).

And here is modern day Bowen, from Google Maps: (see attached)

What brought ideas for the first image were marine mammal bones found in the middle of the island. Further research found shellfish remains within soil well away from the modern day coast. More than likely, these environmental changes caused the soil to be rich and soon sustaining flora and fauna in future millennia.

The Squamish Nation were the main First Nations people to visit Bowen. The island was never used as a permanent settlement ground, but rather a stopping ground on long journeys up and down the coast, for supplies and rest (weblink). Bowen was full of game, both on island and in its waters – deer, salmon, and clams were in abundance. It became a hunting and fishing ground for Squamish peoples. Little is known from when First Nations people started coming to Bowen Island. 8000 years ago is one estimate (weblink).

Most of Bowen Island is Pacific rainforest, with lush vegetation. Plants included: oregon grape, salad, sword fern, devil’s club, lady slipper, violet” “Western red cedar, western hemlock, Douglas fir, and balsam (Howard 1973, pp20,21). Tree materials for water vessels and tools and vegetation for sustenance – Bowen Island held good resources for First Nations’ peoples.

The first known record of white settlement on Bowen was in 1872 (ibid, p21). “White immigrants arriving on the southwest coast of BC in the 1870s did not have to look far for land”. 

With an abundance of forest, Bowen attracted settlers and logging operators looking for timber. Early pre-emptive laws for land settlement were that dwellers must live on and improve the land for four years, then pay the Crown $1 per acre (ibid p22).

Wikipedia, other websites noted here, and the Howard book mention Bowen’s first industries : brickworks (began in 1890) – for Vancouver’s burgeoning building plans, an explosives factory, logging, mining, and milling. None of these industries are here today.

What took over from these industries was mainly tourism (Howard 1973, p114) and basic services supporting island living. From 1900 to 1920, the Terminal Steamship Company dominated life on Bowen with its resort (weblink). Steamships brought Vancouverites to Bowen, for summer holidays and day trips to enjoy the company’s facilities. Bowen’s environment changed, to accommodate large numbers of visitors and subsequent attractions for them.

Cabins, cottages, bridges, and seawalls were built. Most of the island was logged. Even a powerhouse was built, from the dammed Killarney Creek. It gave cottagers light for a few hours at night and “gently lit (the) promenade along the Causeway” (weblink) . Plant life changed. Cottages were coiffed with rose beds and other English flowers.

The resort was taken over by the Union Steamship Company (USC) in 1920. Perhaps this had something to do with prohibition occurring in 1917 and the relative decline of the previous resort owners; maybe World War I figured prominently too. What influenced Bowen’s attraction in the 1920s were day cruises organised where alcohol was served on board, as this didn’t contravene the laws of the day. USC opened British Columbia’s largest dance pavilion on Bowen. Popularity was huge as the Lady Alex, the flagship of USC line of watercraft, took 1400 Vancouverites to Bowen to dine, dance, and drink aboard. The pavilion housed some of the best dance bands of the era (weblink). Soon the dance cruise became known as the booze cruise, and Bowen’s nickname of the Happy Isle began.

Through the 1930s and 1940s, Bowen continued its growth, both buildings and inhabitants, on the back of its tourism industry. The all time high visitor passenger numbers on ships was 101,000 in 1946. After this, a decline set in and the resort began to deteriorate. One main reason was the end of wartime restrictions on gasoline, allowing motorists to bypass Bowen. Other reasons were ongoing disputes over wage increases, increasing costs of fuel and other materials, for satisfying ship regulations for fire safety, amongst much else (Howard 1973, p110). In 1962, the main resort hotel was demolished. 

Through the 1960s to nowadays, Bowen Island is a residential neighbourhood, supported by its commuter inhabitants and summer tourism. In 1958, the first car ferry brought vehicles to Bowen. In 2012, BC Ferries carried over 870,000 passengers and 360,000 vehicles (weblink), showing the depth of the commuter community. 

An island population like Bowen’s brings a lot of mainland items back to the island. This includes plant, animal, and materials all affecting the ecological history of its physical environment. Invasive plant species like Scottish broom and knotweed push out native vegetation (weblink). Grey squirrels, skunks, and raccoons have invaded the island, along with domestic pets which change the animal dynamic on Bowen. While hunting is still allowed for First Nations people and others on private land with permission, it is outlawed for all others (weblink). This allows the deer to flourish, only having the occasional bear, which floats over from the mainland every few years, as its only natural predator. There are no cougars on Bowen; just rumours.

Bowen Island has many people trying to live a sustainable lifestyle. There are farmers markets, stores that sell local produce, and many farms selling produce at their doorstep. Initiatives like the Bowen Island Food Resilience Society and other similar organizations push to maintain and sustain biodiversity on Bowen. However, the large commuter population on Bowen continues its big carbon footprint, bringing materials and people to the island and making sustainability a fine balance between comfort and need.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bowen Heritage – weblink in text

Bowen Island Undercurrent, A11 19May2022 print; also: https://www.bowenislandundercurrent.com/in-the-community/nature-matters-long-ago-bowen-was-a-little-bigger-5400642

Bowen Island Museum – weblink in text

BowenTrails.ca – weblink in text

Census 2021 – Statistics Canada: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/search-recherche/productresults-resultatsproduits-eng.cfm?Lang=E&GEOCODE=2021A00055915062

Howard, I. Bowen Island 1872-1972 Morris 1973

Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver, via Bowen Island Civic website – weblinks in text

Islands Trust – weblink in text

Wikipedia – weblinks in text