5,000 years ago
Oldest settlement in SGI
Helen Point Peninsula contains the oldest recorded human settlement remains in the Southern Gulf Islands. (estimated at 5,000 years).
Indigenous people were fishing in Active Pass, around Helen Point as long ago as 3,000 BC.
1859
Early Homesteaders
In 1859 the earliest homesteaders registered land claims in the Miners Bay area in 1859. Miners Bay owes its name to the adventurers bound for the Cariboo Gold Rush of 1858, the halfway stop between Vancouver Island and the mouth of the Fraser River.
1899
First Community Hall in the Outer Islands
Marie Elliot’s 1984 book “Mayne Island & The Outer Gulf Islands, A History” (page 27), mentions that the first community hall in the outer islands was erected in Miner’s Bay, “circa 1899 — the precise date is uncertain”. (This book can be obtained through Miner’s Bay Books – 250 539-3112)
June 1885
Lighthouse lit
The light’s first keeper was Henry “Scotty” Georgeson who lit up the light for the first time in June 1885. Within two months he wrote his superior asking for a fog horn. A bell was later installed, followed by a fog horn. Scotty’s son, George, later became his assistant.
1887
Church Founded
Canon Paddon founded the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.
1896
Plumper Pass Lockup
In 1896 the Plumper Pass Lockup was built to cool off those whose tempers were not soothed by either the church or the saloon. The gaol is now a small museum. The Mayne Museum is a small building. It displays the rich history of Mayne Island. Located at Fernhill and Minty Roads in Miner’s Bay Village (beside the thrift store). Mayne Island Museum’s Online Collection.
History of Japanese Settlers on Mayne Island
Many years ago, Mayne Island was home to an active, successful Japanese community until World War II, when they were taken away to war camps in the interior of B.C. for fear of espionage. They played a very important role in our colourful history. (See the Japanese Gardens)
This house (located on Village Bay Road near the Mayne Street Mall) was once a Japanese farmhouse owned by Kumozo Nagata. He also grew hothouse tomatoes in the Campbell Bay area and founded the cooperative “Active Pass Grower’s Association” which grew and packed “Island Brand Tomatoes and Cucumbers”, a large, successful tomato growing company once situated on Georgina Point Road.
More information about the Mast and the Japanese Community on Mayne Island.
The centennial well is a centennial celebration monument. Located on Horton Bay Road just past Fernhill Road.
The New Agricultural Hall Sign
A brief history of the horseshoe:
Jimmy Drysdale was Mayne Island’s blacksmith in the early 20th century, whose valuable talents were also called to Saturna & Galiano. His blacksmith shop still stands on Hardscrabble Farm and in the late 20th century became director Philp Borsos studio, for his shooting here of the Disney film Yellow Dog. The Borsos family still own the farm.
Jimmy Drysdale finished his trade before WW11 and the horseshoe in the new Ag Hall sign somehow clipclopped its way to the old Heck farmstead, now Richard and Maggie Brown’s Windover Farm. There in the mid seventies Ron Pither was helping Wilbert Deacon clean out an old farm implement shed, and as luck would have it he received the horseshoe and its lore, adding it to an old shovel and pitchfork collection. Now 30 years later they’ve been recycled into our own local sign language.
The following people are to be thanked for the new sign:
Michael Sharp from Puddle Lane Blacksmith Shop on Galiano Island for forging a magnificent frame. Shea Morgan from Galiano Island for his input on the agricultural theme. Ron Pither from Varalaya Farm here on Mayne for donating the horseshoe, shovel, and pitchfork. Don Grant from “Out of the Woods” for the design and painting of the wooden sign. Richard Brown from JJM Road Maintenance for the placement of the sign. The Mayne Island Farmers Market for their financial contribution. And finally the Agricultural Society for their financial contribution, patience and good wishes.
Don McDougall
Deacon Vale Farm
Kadonga Bay
Background
This project was taken on by Jeanine Dodds on behalf of the Mayne Island Community. The idea came from Mildred Emmett’s oral history (available at the Mayne Island Library) where she stated that it was unfortunate no place names existed to recognize the early Japanese settlers. Together they chose the bay on the South side and the particular name. Kadonaga will now show on all new official maps.
Origin Notes and History
Adopted 24 April 2007 on 92B/14, as proposed by trustee Jeanine Dodds, Islands Trust, on behalf of the community of Mayne Island, and endorsed by Mayne Island Conservancy Society, Association of Mayne Island Boaters, Gulf Islands Branch of the BC Historical Federation and various property owners in the immediate vicinity.
Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC’s Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office
Sometimes called “Eddy’s Bay” by members of the Eddy family, who own property here. Called “Arbutus Bay” in 1973 by property owner and developer Paula Buchholz, whose self-titled company Arbutus Bay Estates Ltd subdivided parcels here, and continues to maintain guest/rental cottages. Neither name is in use by the general public on Mayne Island according to trustee Jeanine Dodds, although “Arbutus Bay” and “Arbutus Bay Estates” is marketed by principle P. Buchholz.
Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC’s Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office
Kadonaga Bay recalls Goan Kadonaga, the first Japanese settler to arrive on Mayne Island, as well as symbolizing and recognizing the settlement history of all the Japanese settlers who made important contributions to the economic and social fabric of the island community before their removal in World War II.
Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC’s Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office
Gontaro (Goan) Kadonaga was the first Japanese settler on Mayne Island, arriving in 1903. He had purchased the 160-acre property named St. Johns Point on the eastern tip of Mayne Island from James C. Campbell some three years previous to this time. Goan’s brother, Kinzo, had arrived at the same time. Another Japanese family, the Sasaki’s, had no sons and when Kenzo married into the Sasaki family he took their name as his. In 1921, Goan (or perhaps Goan and Kinzo) divided his/their property into 2 lots, giving the northern section to Goan’s eldest son Toru and the southern section to Kinzo’s eldest son Kwanichi.
Mayne Island was a unique community prior to World War II. Many Japanese families had settled here [and] approximately one third of its population were of Japanese descent. Some relied on fishing and there was a fish saltery at Dinner Bay. Other families farmed, raising chickens and growing tomatoes under some 8 acres of glass in various locations on the island. Much of the economic activity occurring on Mayne Island at this time was attributed to the hard working and respected Japanese families.
On Tuesday April 21, 1942, the CPR steamer Princess Mary came for the 50 Japanese men, women and children who waited on the Miners Bay wharf. Most of the Mayne Island residents were in attendance to shake hands and wish them well. It was a sad time for all…. The descendants of [the Kadonaga and Sasaki families] continue to visit their original farms [and a family gravesite] with the support of the current owners….” (June 2006 letter from trustee Jeanine Dodds, Islands Trust, file V.1.38). Also on file: schematic diagram of 16 properties purchased by early Japanese settlers, chronology of settlement provided by Roger Sasaki, and an artist’s rendering of the Kadonaga homestead, published in Canadian Geographic Magazine, Nov/Dec 2003, p.94.
BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC’s Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office
The Honouring Figure
Unveiled on June 28, 2009, the Honouring Figure, based on a traditional Coast Salish Welcome Figure was carved by local carver, John Aitken, and erected in Emma and Felix Jack Park. More information
History of the Mayne Island Community Library
BC Historical News
Article about John Aitken, Amateur Photographer by Marie Elliott
The above information was found in a variety of places.
Please Email Us if you find any inaccuracies or
if you have information which can be added to this page.
Thanks to Lynne Nagata for information she provided
and Brian Haller for the collage of the Honouring Figure.