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History
Cumberland was founded in 1888 by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. The original settlement was named Union after the Union Coal Company. In 1898, the post office address of Union was changed to Cumberland, as many of the town miners were from the famous English coal-mining district of Cumberland in England.
Cumberland remained an active coal mining town until 1966, enduring devasting mine explosions and bitter labour disputes. Cumberland had become an important centre for local trade and commerce, with distinct ethnic settlements having been established. As the coal industry declined, the local population decreased, until Cumberland began to reclaim its history and transform a quiet village into a dynamic tourist centre.
For those who've seen Victoria's Craigdarroch Castle where coal baron Robert Dunsmuir lived, come see where the coal miners worked. In Cumberland, you'll find heritage buildings and the remains of what once was one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. Whether your interest is in history, culture, recreation or beautiful scenery, Cumberland has something for everyone.
Location
Cumberland is located south of Courtenay and is the only town on the inland highway north of Nanaimo. Highways 19 and 19A link Cumberland with southern Vancouver Island. Approaching from the north, Highway 19 links Cumberland, the Comox Valley, and Campbell River with the northern half of Vancouver Island. Cumberland is a two-and-a-half hour drive north from Victoria, or a 75-minutes drive from the ferry terminals of Departure Bay and Duke Point near Nanaimo.
BC Ferries operates a route between Comox and Powell River on the British Columbia mainland. The Comox Valley Regional Airport is served by three major airlines, with 12 daily flights between Vancouver and Comox and direct flights from Calgary. Small aircraft and floatplanes land at the Courtenay Airpark near downtown Courtenay. Daily coach lines connect all parts of Vancouver Island with the Mainland, and local bus service is also available in Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland.
Places to See
- Cumberland Museum
Visit the fascinating Cumberland Museum, nestled in the foothills of the Beaufort Mountains. Heritage tours take visitors back in time - highlights include a walk-through replica of a coal mine, the story of labour leader/organizer Ginger Goodwin, a slide presentation of historic Chinatown, a computerized database of local family history, and guided tours of the village.
- Cumberland Road
On Cumberland Road east of the village are the Japanese Cemetery, the Chinese Cemetery, and the burial site of Ginger Goodwin, a popular labour leader whose slaying in 1918 lead to anger in the community and riots in Vancouver when returned servicemen attacked the Vancouver Trades and Labour Council office during a half-day general strike called in Vancouver on the day of Goodwin's funeral in Cumberland.
- Mount Washington Ski Resort
During the winter, come here for alpine and nordic skiing! During the summer, there's mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, fly fishing, mini-golf, and camping. There are also special events every month, including concerts, races, and the always-popular Beerfest.
- Comox Lake
Surrounded by mountains and fed by a glacier, glorious Comox Lake, has good freshwater fishing for trout and char year-round. Boaters must beware of the strong winds that rise in the afternoon on the large, dammed lake west of Cumberland on Comox Lake Road. You'll find a boat launch at the west end of Comox Lake Road.
- Strathcona Provincial Park
Strathcona Provincial Park, designated in 1911, is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia. Located almost in the centre of Vancouver Island, Strathcona park is a rugged mountain wilderness comprising more than 250,000 hectares. Mountain peaks - some perpetually mantled with snow - dominate the park. Lakes and alpine tarns dot a landscape laced with rivers, creeks and streams. Summer in Strathcona is usually pleasantly warm, while winters are fairly mild except for the higher levels, where heavy snowfalls are the norm. From November through March, snowfalls can be expected on the mountain slopes and alpine plateaus. Snow remains all year on the mountain peaks and may linger into July even at moderate elevations. Summer evenings, as elsewhere in the coastal regions of BC, can be cool and rain can be expected at any time of the year.
Two areas - Buttle Lake and vicinity and Forbidden Plateau - offer a variety of visitor-oriented developments. The rest of the park is largely undeveloped and appeals primarily to people seeking wilderness surroundings. To see and enjoy much of the scenic splendor requires hiking or backpacking into the alpine regions.
Buttle Lake, named for Commander John Buttle who explored the area in the 1860s, is the major body of water in the park. It and many other lakes and waterways in the park can provide good fishing in season for Cutthroat, Rainbow and Dolly Varden trout. Della Falls, whose drop of 440 meters over three cascades makes it one of the highest waterfalls in Canada, is located in the southern section of the park. And the highest point on Vancouver Island, the Golden Hinde (elevation 2,200 meters), stands almost in the centre of Strathcona to the west of Buttle Lake.
Three roadless tracts within Strathcona Provincial Park--Big Den, Central Strathcona and Comox Glacier--have been designated as nature conservancy areas. Each tract contains outstanding examples of scenery and natural history that remain uninfluenced by human activity. The three areas, totaling 122,500 hectares, are dedicated to the preservation of the undisturbed natural environment.
While the high mountain peaks and deep shaded valleys of Strathcona Park are dramatic, it is easy to forget that beneath your feet lays a history stretching back 380 million years. It is a history of violent volcanic eruptions on ancient seafloors and quiet interludes when gardens of sea lilies waved in gentle ocean currents. It is a history of rocks torn and folded by the extraordinary forces that can move continents, and of mountain ranges sculpted by the immensely thick ice sheets, which only vanished a few thousand years ago. No matter how long your visit, or whatever your interest, a knowledge of the geology of Strathcona Park will enhance your enjoyment of this spectacularly beautiful area.
Strathcona Park benefits from excellent adjoining commercial facilities such as the Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre, which offers outdoor education and wilderness skills training. The nearby communities of Campbell River, the Comox Valley, Gold River, Tofino and Port Alberni offer a full range of visitor services. Mount Washington Alpine Resort, located adjacent to the park, offers extensive alpine and nordic skiing opportunities, as well as a variety of winter and summer recreation facilities.
- Cumberland Forest
The Cumberland Community Forest Society is seeking to preserve the Cumberland forest, a 56-hectare area of second-growth forest that forms a scenic backdrop to Cumberland. Funds are being raised by the community to purchase the land from an American timber company. Located southwest of Cumberland between Comox Lake Road and Perseverance Creek, this forest of Douglas Fir, hemlock and red cedar is a jewel for the community of Cumberland, used for mushroom picking, walking, hiking and mountain biking. Naturalists visit for the tranquility, the songbirds, sword ferns, salal and Saskatoon berry bushes that line the trails through the forest.
Things to Do
- Fishing
Some of the best saltwater fishing on the island, particularly for salmon, can be found in the waters of the Strait of Georgia north of the Puntledge River Estuary between Courtenay and Comox, and off of Cape Lazo, King Coho, and Bates Beach, south of Black Creek. Because of its sheltered location and an absence of dangerous currents, the shoreline around Comox is well suited for rod fishing in a small boat. If the weather does change, you can see it coming and quickly make for shore. Shore angling for salmon is popular in Comox Bay from August to November. The closer you get to Campbell River, the better the salmon fishing becomes. Tidal flows in Discovery Passage churn up clouds of nutrients that sustain a complex food chain, which includes, near the top, tasty salmon.
- Golf
Saratoga Beach Golf Course offers a 9-hole par 32 course. Nearby golf courses include Storey Creek Golf Course and Sequoia Springs Golf Club in Campbell River, and Crown Isle Golf and Country Club in Courtenay.
- Mountain Biking
Members of the local mountain biking community have built many kilometres of bike trails through the Cumberland forests, and sanctioned local mountain bike races are frequently held on them. These trails are well known to both local and visiting enthusiasts in the biking and hiking communities.
- Hiking
Hike along the many wooded trails in the area. With Cumberland being so close to Strathcona Park, there is no shortage of hiking possibilities in the area. Boston Ridge Trail is a good 13-km circle day hike up and over Boston Ridge and up to Mount Becher north of Comox Lake, with some marvellous views.
Events
- Miners' Memorial Day
Held annually in June, Miners' Memorial Day commemorates the miners who worked and lost their lives in the mines of Cumberland and workplaces throughout BC; it also celebrates the life and work of Ginger Goodwin, a union leader who was hunted down and shot by Dominican police in 1918 for refusing to fight in the first World War.
- Winterfaire and Craftopia
This one-day celebration of the arts, crafts, and music communities is held annually in December and features live entertainment, interactive kids art projects, delicious food and drinks, and a giant used book sale.
The Cumberland Winterfair features a veritable smorgasbord of art and crafts from regional artists and craftspeople. Original paintings and sculptures are presented by artits such as Nightgirl Inc, Megan Hildebrand, and Randy Agar. Other vendors offer handmade children's clothes, patchwork clothing from Sunlover Creations, and one-of-a-kind vinyl handbags and accessories from Santa Morgie Designs.
Daniel's Details will be selling handmade leather belts, wristbands and bags, Wood 'n' Watercraft presents carved wood panels, Rustworks will display rust assemblage sculptures and rust-and-crystal window hangings, and Island View Lavender has lavender mixes, sachets, potpourri and sprays.
To round out the seasonal shopping options you can pick up wood sculptures, beadwork, jewellery, knitted goods, photography, bird feeders, handmade wooden bowls, baked goods, homemade soaps and Ukrainian painted eggs.
This is a perfect way to avoid the hustle and bustle of the 'big box' stores and enjoy an old-fashioned community craft fair, right in the heart of the Historic Village of Cumberland. Come for the day and enjoy lunch in a local cafe, dinner in a local restaurant or pub, or live music in the evening at the Waverley Hotel.
Delicious treats will be on hand from Tarbell's Cafe and Cumberland Village Bakery and interactive kids arts and crafts activities keep the little ones occupied while you shop away!
The Cumberland WinterFaire and Craftopia will also include a giant used book sale. A gently read book makes a perfect low-stress present or stocking stuffer for a loved one.
Contact Information
The Cumberland & District Chamber of Commerce
P.O.Box 250
Cumberland BC V0R 1S0
Phone: 250-336-8313
Fax: 250-336-2455
E-mail: cumbcham@shaw.ca
Website: www.cumberlandbc.org
Village of Cumberland
Box 340
Cumberland, BC V0R 1S0
Phone Number: 250-336-2291
Fax Number: 250-336-2321
Website: www.cumberlandbc.net
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