qathet Museum & Archives
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Forestry History

Picture
Logging at Wolfsohn Bay, now known as Lang Bay, 1910-15. (ID 2012.85.9)

Logging on the West Coast


Long before white settlers arrived, Indigenous people logged the area very selectively, taking only what they needed in a very sustainable way. For example, cedar strips were harvested from cedar trees and used to weave baskets. There’s evidence of culturally modified trees in and around qathet.

Lumbering in British Columbia began in the 1850s. The huge trees, mainly Douglas fir and western red cedar, that were close to the tidewater were exploited first and served both the Pacific and South African markets.

Adapting LoggingTechniques
​
Loggers were forced to make adaptations to eastern lumbering techniques.  For example, they used three times more oxen than the east used. And because snow roads were impossible in our milder climate, they used skid roads built from logs. The loggers also made cuts higher on the tree trunks. Two axmen stood on springboards to make the cuts. Heavy, double-bitted axes were also developed.
Cold decking (piling logs for later pick up) n.d. (ID 1967.1.3855)
Stillwater; flag pole for the Kew Gardens in England, men standing on the full length of a 237ft log, 1919. (ID 1967.1.4527)
High rigging with riggers at the top. n.d. (ID 1967.1.4528)
O'Brien Logging Company (Stillwater) Locomotive #4, Baldwin. n.d. (ID 1967.1.4706A)
GMS Logging Truck with load of logs one Gallagher Hill behind Mowat Bay, 1940s. (ID 1967.1.5981)
Logs splashing into a log pond at the O'Brien logging camp, 1954. (ID 2007.50.20627)
Myrtle Point logging, big Douglas firs, 1919. (ID 2012.85.6)
Myrtle Point logging camp, 1920-30. (ID 2012.85.5)
Logging at Kingcome Inlet. Powell River Company Camp; Foreman's bedroom, 1910-15. (ID 2012.85.18 )
Logging at Kingcome Inlet. Powell River Company Camp; bedroom for the men, 1910-15. (ID 2012.85.19)
Logging, O'Brien Logging Company, (Stillwater Division) Yarder-Donkey Engine on skidders, 1953. (ID ND001678)

Transporting Lumber

The methods used to transport lumber evolved over time:

Oxen and Rail Lines
Early in the logging history, loggers used oxen for transporting trees. Teams of oxen pulled timber to the water's edge. Seven pairs of oxen, called the bull team, pulled two logs at a time. Rail lines were also used until the First World War. 

Steam 
In the early 1900s steam donkeys replaced oxen teams. Steam donkey engines created the steam that powered the winches that were used to load large logs from the woods to the railway landing. Some steam donkeys had several steam engines and single, large boilers on one set of timber skids. Logs were moved in the bush on greased log skid roads. 

Steam also powered other logging equipment such as the steam shovels that were used for road construction, and the steam locomotives that were used to haul the logs by rail. In the 1930s, steam donkeys were replaced by gas and diesel-powered machines. By the 1950s, steam had disappeared from the forests.

Railroads
Logging railroads appeared in qathet around the turn of the century, and replaced skid roads. Their heyday was between 1900 and 1935. The yield from a section of the forest was attractive and the terrain was suitable for logging. 
​

Logging trucks
As logging moved further into the mountains, logging roads and trucks began replacing railroads to move logs from the forest.



On the Verge

A Film by Arc'teryx

"In the mountains behind the coastal town of Powell River, BC, a small group of rock climbers has spent decades quietly pioneering routes on some of the largest granite walls in Canada. As the last stands of old-growth trees harboured in these valleys come under threat of logging, the climbing community faces the uncertain future of a place that has come to define their lives and legacies.

Confronted with the decision to fight for these last ancient trees and potentially lose access or look away as the valley is stripped for timber, On The Verge is a snapshot of outdoors culture in British Columbia. The way we reconcile industries that give us access to the wilderness with the destruction they cause. The desire to protect our backyard but keep it for ourselves at the same time. The importance of these places to the people who have shaped them and been shaped by them in return."

Willingdon Beach Trail

Go for a walk along Willingdon Beach Trail. The trail showcases many pieces of retired logging equipment. Or watch this short video below!​​​
Forestry Heritage Society >
Picture
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Saturday
10 am to 3 pm

Closed Statutory Holidays
Contact Us
604-485-2222
info@qathetmuseum.ca
​4790 Marine Avenue, Powell River BC

© 2023 qathet Museum & Archives
​Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of material on this website. Dates and times are subject to change. 
Territorial Acknowledgement 
The qathet Museum & Archives is located on the traditional territories of the Tla’amin Nation. The Museum is committed to collaborating with all Indigenous peoples of this province including the Tla'amin Nation. We acknowledge the harms of the past, are committed to improving relationships in the spirit of reconciliation, and we extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn on this territory. ​Emote!
  • Exhibits
    • Current Exhibits
    • Forestry Building
    • Virtual Exhibits >
      • Riveting Women
      • 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 Calendar >
      • Little Wonders
      • Remember When Club
      • Spring Speaker Series
      • Fall Speaker Series
      • Mini-Curators
      • Papermaking
      • Summer Camps
      • Museum In the Park
      • Archaeology Day
    • School Programs >
      • Exhibit Visits
      • Outreach Kits
      • Portal to the Past
      • Educator's Survey
    • Virtual Programs >
      • Virtual Portal To the Past
      • A Taste of qathet's History
      • The Crafty Corner
      • Dive Into the Archives
    • Tours
    • Memoirs
  • Learn
    • Indigenous History
    • Place Names
    • Forestry History
    • Memories of the Mill
    • Community History
    • Blast from the Past
    • The Coast Memoirs
    • Heritage Stops
    • Blog
  • Support
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Careers
  • About
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Name Change
    • Our Mandate
    • News & Reports
    • Staff & Board
    • Contact Us