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Interesting Stories & Articles of Tofino, Clayoquot Sound and Canada's West Coast
Tofino Super Moon, March 19, 2011
The moon was closer to earth tonight than it has been for over 18 years, making it a Super Moon: appearing brighter and bigger. We watched it rise over the mountains of Meares from our beach on the inlet and then from our deck later in the evening. Tofino Photography got up early the next day and photographed the super moon from Chesterman Beach. Check out the amazing photos of Tofino's Super Moon here...
The Story of Early Spanish and British Explorers
and The People Who Followed Them to Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Tofino is as old as any location in the "new world"; the natives who lived here were known as "Clayoquots" and their territory on the Pacific Northwest was rich in natural resources and First Nations traditions. Both the area of Clayoquot and the more northerly area of Nootka and were prized trading regions for the Europeans. The Europeans were not only drawn by the trading opportunities but by the natural beauty of the tall forests and the sea that supplied an abundant food supply. Read more of Ken's Story of Tofino here...
Ken Gibson is a long-time resident of Tofino and an invaluable source of local information.
French Drawn Chart of Tofino circa 1786
French drawn chart of Tofino, 1786. Captain Barkley carried this map with him on his voyages. View a larger version of this French Chart of Tofino, 1786 here...
Thank you to Ken Gibson for this image and background to the map.
John Meares Chart of Port Cox in the District of Wicananish, 1787
John Meares traded this map with other explorer's who didn't wish to be involved with the Spanish at Nootka. As a result many famous captains visited the Tofino harbour. including Captain Kendrick & Captain Grey. View John Meares Chart from 1787 here...
Thank you to Ken Gibson for this image.
'The Ship was drove on shore' The Argonaut in Clayoquot Sound, 1790
Bad luck dogged Captain Colnett and the Argonaut after their release from a year's detention in Mexico. Bound back to Nootka Sound, the scene of their arrest, bad weather and a leaky, damaged ship forced them to Clayoquot to make repairs. These repairs took two months, but Colnett was only to find a fresh set of troubles on leaving. Read the account from Colnett's journal here...
Thank you to Ken Gibson for this information.
Adventure is built in Adventure Cove, 1791
During the autumn of the year 179a, there were precious few days in Clayoquot Sound when the sun shone upon the winter quarters of Captain Robert Gray and his crew. They were in Adventure Cove, in their quarters that they named 'Fort Defiance' During this time the ship Adventure was built. Read more about the building of the ship Adventure here...
Many thanks to Ken Gibson for this information.
Rear Admiral Vincente Tofino, 1732-1795
While examining the coast of Vancouver Island during the summer of 1792, the Spanish explorers Galiano and Valdes named Tofino Inlet in honour of their teacher, Spanish hydrographer Captain Vincente Tofiño de San Miguel. Read more about Vincente Tofiño de San Miguel, and an email conversation GoTofino.com had with Manuel Ariza who lives in Tofino's hometown in Spain....
Thank you to Ken Gibson for this information.
Photo of The Tonquin 1811
The story of the Tonquin is one that every Tofinian knows. It is a story of betrayal and retribution. View a watercolour of The Tonquin ship here...
Photo courtesy of Ken Gibson.
Story of Clayoquot on Stubbs Island and How It Became Clayoquot Island Preserve
by Ken Gibson
...In 1898 Walter Dawley built the first hotel on Clayoquot and opened a store to service the early settlers...eventually became the first beer parlour on the West Coast of Vancouver Island... In approximately 1937, the island was bought from the Dawley family by Betty Farmer and she talked her sister, Jo Brydges, into moving here from Victoria. Betty loved to garden in true English fashion. While Betty spent time in the garden, Jo mainly looked after the household chores but she did venture into the forest where her preference was a wild garden that blended with nature...
Read the full story of Ken Gibson's Brief History of Clayoquot Preserve on Stubbs Island here.
Clayoquot Townsite Plan 1903
A Townsite Plane Drawn Up By
Jacob Arnet
View the plan for the Clayoquot Townsite that was drawn up by Jacob Arnet in 1903. Clayoquot Townsite became Tofino in 1910.
View a larger version of the Clayoquot Townsite here...
Map courtesy of Ken Gibson.
Stubbs Island, Clayoquot Hotel and Clayoquot Spit, 1920s
Stubbs Island was a hub of activity with the Clayoquot Hotel, stores and homes in the 1920s.
View photographs of the Clayoquot Hotel and Clayoquot Spit here...
Photos courtesy of Ken Gibson.
Tofino Newspaper Article About A Road To Tofino, 1929
Plea for Extension of West Coast Road from Sproat Lake to Tofino
by Gertrude Jackson
This newpaper article from 1929 chronicles an important part of Tofino's story - the case for a road connecting Tofino to the rest of Vancouver Island. The road wasn't always there and everything made the journey by boat - people, food and supplies. Describing the scenic beauty, the wonderful marine gardens, the majesty of the storms and the thrill of 'surfboard riding' Gertrude Jackson made a strong case in 1929 for the tourism activites that Tofino showcases today.
Learn more about Gertrude Jackson's 1929 newpaper article about a road to Tofino here.
GoTofino would like to thank Ken Gibson for perserving this newspaper item and sharing it with us.
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