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History
The town of Duncan is named after William Chalmers Duncan, who arrived in Victoria in May of 1862. Three months later, he was one of a party of a hundred settlers who went with Governor Douglas to Cowichan Bay. After going off on several gold rushes, Duncan settled close to the present city of Duncan.
Duncan's farm was named Alderlea, and this was the first name of the adjacent settlement. In August of 1886, the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway was opened. No stop had been scheduled at Alderlea for the inaugural train bearing Sir John A. Macdonald and Robert Dunsmuir. However, at Duncan's Crossing, the level crossing nearest Alderlea, a crowd of 2,000 had assembled around a decorated arch and the train came to an unplanned halt, quite literally putting it on the map.
Duncan City was officially incorporated in 1912, and in the following year, a post office was built which is now Duncan's City Hall. In 1985 Duncan became the "City of Totems" when it was decided to erect original totems honouring the city's First Nations Heritage.
Location
Duncan is located just off the Trans-Canada Highway, roughly 50 kilometres from both Victoria to the north and Nanaimo to the south.
Places to See
- BC Forest Discovery Centre
Explore this 100-acre living museum, just 15-kilometres south of Chemainus. Along with the train, playground and interpretive trails, there are a wealth of exhibits indoors and out.
Kids are fascinated by the dioramas in the Glynne Jones building. There is an 1880s logging camp, complete with two blacksmith shops and a school, and that's just the beginning.
In the Welcome Museum, you will find state of the art interactive exhibits and displays of yarders, speeders, putt-putts, treen, and more! Have your picture taken beside "Little Jakey"!
Visit the heritage sawmill or check out the antique vehicles building. The logging truck display on the Lower Grounds displays vehicles from as far back as 1890. Ride the train past the Restoration Shops and on your way back, be sure to check out the Lookout Tower and the Koksilah Ranger Station.
Ride the Discovery Train and ask the conductor what the train whistle means. Visit the indoor & outdoor exhibits and climb the Lookout Tower for a great view.
Enjoy a snack from the concession or picnic by the playground. And don't forget to check out the gift shop for a great choice of souvenirs!
- Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives
Housed inside Duncan's 'Heritage Designated' 1912 Railway Station along the E&N Railway, the Cowichan Valley Museum features pioneer artifacts, displays, and photographs. The museum is open daily in July and August.
- Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre
The Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre offers guests an authentic First Nations Experience: interpretive tours, traditional art work, and Native cuisine in the Riverwalk Cafe.
The centre is on 6 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds along the banks of the Cowichan River (a designated BC Heritage River) just off the Trans Canada Highway, minutes from the Duncan city centre.
The QCCC offers a truly unique experience, sharing the stories and traditions of the Cowichan people from hundreds of years ago. It is a world of colour and pageantry, where first nations talent and pride are abundant. The centre is committed to a culture of warmth and sharing, to bridge the gaps that exist between cultures and promote Native culture in a positive way.
- Somenos Marsh
Somenos Marsh is a fascinating, rich and diverse wetland complex lying at the geographic, demographic, and economic centre of the Cowichan Valley.
That it is still an area of exceptional bird, fish and other wildlife values is a testament to the passion and determination of so many to preserve it.
- Cowichan Community Centre
The Cowichan Community Centre is host to the world's largest ice hockey stick. It was made specifically for Expo '86 in Vancouver and weights a staggering 61,000 pounds. Old-timers at the local pub will tell you that Wayne Gretzky was the only player to ever successfully score a goal with this stick in a hockey game.
- Cowichan River Provincial Park
If it's outdoor recreation you're after, Cowichan River Provincial Park on southern Vancouver Island is the place to go. Whether you want to go swimming, canoeing, white-water kayaking, tubing, camping, fishing or hiking, or just want to take it easy in the sun, you're bound to find something to do in this recreation corridor south of Duncan.
This spectacular park protects significant stretches of the Cowichan River, a recently designated Provincial Heritage River internationally renowned for its wild salmon and steelhead fishery.
The park is adjacent to an abandoned rail right-of-way, which provides recreation opportunities for cyclists, hikers, and horseback riders. While staying at one of two scenic campgrounds, visitors can enjoy other features of Cowichan River Provincial Park. These include the historic 20 km long Cowichan River Footpath and a variety of day-use and picnic areas, each with their own unique features and highlights. Visitors won't want to miss the sights from the restored 66-Mile and Holt Creek Trestles on the Trans-Canada Trail, which offer spectacular river views and the opportunity to imagine back to a time when log-laden traincars would thunder along these tracks high above the Cowichan River.
Things to Do
- View the Totem Poles
Ducan contains nearly eighty totem poles downtown and along the Trans-Canada Highway. 41 can be viewed by going on the self-guided tour, or go on a free guided tour during the summer to view all of them. Knowledgeable guides will recount the rich history and fascinating legends of the Northwest Coast Natives.
- Fishing
The Cowichan River is renowned for its brown trout, rainbow and steelhead trout, and its vigorous salmon runs. Chinook, coho, and steelhead that school in Cowichan Bay enter the river to spawn in November and December. There's also a steelhead run in March.
- Biking
What better way to see and feel the Cowichan than by bike. If you'd like something fairly challenging try the trails of Mount Tzouhalem, Spectacle Lake Provincial Park or Maple Mountain. There is also a three-hour easy ride from Glenora (southwest of Duncan) to the town of Lake Cowichan along the Trans Canada Trail. The Trans-Canada Trail is also accessible from Shawnigan Lake and includes Koksilah River Provincial Park and views of the Kinsol Trestle. Take a wine country tour for a more leisurely pace where you will see rolling farmland and beautiful scenery. For the novice there are many easy biking opportunities in all communities by keeping to the country roads.
- Kayaking
Discover nature's treasures by sea kayak - come eye to eye with an array of fascinating marine life. Relax your mind and soul on a leisurely tour over emerald waters among seals, cormorants and kingfishers. For those wishing to immerse themselves in the power and majestic beauty of the West Coast, guides will lead on a multi-day excursion.
- Golf
Duncan golf courses include the Cowichan Golf and Country Club and Duncan Meadows Golf and Country Club, and Arbutus Ridge Golf and Country Club in nearby Cobble Hill.
- Hiking
From peaceful, easy walks to rugged climbs, the Cowichan countryside offers an abundance of hiking opportunities for all levels of hikers. The Trans-Canada Trail, the Cowichan River Corridor, and provincial parks offer gorgeous scenery and spectacular views.
- Boating / Sailing
Whether you prefer the ocean or a lake, the Cowichan Region is a boater's paradise. From kayaking along the rocky shores of a bay to sailing the briny ocean, the waterways are both beautiful and accessible. Full service marinas are safe and conveniently located close to restaurants, pubs, and shopping areas.
Events
- Duncan Farmers' Market
Visit one of Vancouver Island's largest and most popular farmers' markets. The Duncan Farmers' Market has been growing since 1993, all based on the principle of offering the highest possible quality from the people who make, bake, or grow the products themselves.
Vendors feature local produce, nursery plants, baked goods, meats, and prepared foods. There are also many exhibitors of crafts such as jewelry, photography, wooden gift items, clothing, and Cowichan native knitting and arts.
You can now buy lunch on site and sit at tables in the market, or you can pick up a snack to eat later.
This is an excellent chance to see many local farmers and artisans, all in one place!
- Paddlefest
Paddlefest is a weekend-long festival with activities and events for paddlers of all ages and paddling abilities. Located at Transfer Beach in beautiful Ladysmith, British Columbia, participants can attend this free event and enjoy a variety of activities including vendor/trade show, workshops, demonstrations and fun activities.
There are on-land and on-water workshops offered both Saturday and Sunday to help you hone your paddling strokes, pack your boat, practice rescue techniques and many other helpful tips.
The industry's leading manufacturers, retailers, and outfitters will have booths set up for you to check out the latest gear and pick up a few festival "deals". A full range of 100 boats of different makes and models will be on-hand for you to take a "test-paddle" of the latest technology and designs.
With participants from all over Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, Washington State, Alberta and even Ontario attending in the past - there will be lots to talk about!
- The Greak Lake Walk
The Great Lake Walk and Ultramarathon is a 56-kilometre walk or run around beautiful Cowichan Lake on Vancouver Island. This walking/running event takes place on the third Saturday in September each year.
Cowichan Lake is the second largest body of fresh water on Vancouver Island on the West Coast of British Columbia. The lake runs from the northwest to the southeast and empties into the world famous Cowichan River in the Town of Lake Cowichan.
- Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival
The Annual Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival celebrates Vancouver Island wines, culinary excellence, and original music and art. For three days, the wineries and farms of the Cowichan Region invite wine and culinary aficionados to their doorsteps to experience the best of the region firsthand.
- Downtown Duncan Summer Festival
The annual Summer Festival features two days in which the streets of the downtown core are closed for loads of live entertainment, free rides, street performers, special promotions, amazing food, and the best shopping on the island.
- Downtown Duncan Christmas Celebrations
Come out for an old-fashioned downtown Christmas in City Square and kick start the holiday season. There will be live entertainment, free Christmas light hay rides, visits with Santa Claus, and great pre-Christmas sales and customer appreciation promotions. Enjoy free roasted chestnuts, and be on the look out for the Christmas ambassadors who will be surprising downtown shoppers with sweet treats and Free Downtown Dollars. The highlight of the evening is the fantastic fireworks extravaganza brought to you by Hayes Forest Services.
Contact Information
Tourism Cowichan
Website: http://visit.cowichan.net/
Duncan City Hall
P.O. Box 820
Duncan, B.C. V9L 3Y2
Phone: 250.746.6126
Fax: 250.746.6129
E-mail: duncan@duncan.ca
Website: www.city.duncan.bc.ca
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