Ladysmith

History

(The following information was provived by the official Town of Ladysmith website. Contact information is provided at the bottom of this page.)

In 1884, James Dunsmuir, the owner of the Wellington Colliery Company, was given a land grant from E&N Railway, privatizing the land which would eventually become Ladysmith. The community he founded in 1899 was originally known as Oyster Harbour, and served as a company town for miners. Coal bunkers and wharves dominated the waterfront, while homes and businesses, many transported from Wellington and Extension, were built on the hillside.

When Dunsmuir received word on March 1, 1900 that the British forces had finally relieved their besieged countrymen in Ladysmith, in the Natal Province of South Africa, he renamed the new town Ladysmith and many local streets were named after British Generals who served in the Anglo Boer War. Read more on The Siege and Relief of Ladysmith.

In 1904 the town was incorporated and the new community, fueled by the strong demand for coal, grew quickly. By 1911 its population stood at about 3,300 people.

During the early part of the twentieth century, coal mining was the main industry in Ladysmith, but after the Great Depression, the town slowly transformed into the centre of major logging operations that extended as far as the Nanaimo Lakes region and which employed as many as 700 men. Since then, logging and milling lumber have continued to play an important role in the town's economic development.

Over the last half century, the Town's population has doubled and the strong community spirit is still here, as witnessed by the invaluable activities of service clubs and community groups. Projects such as successful downtown revitalization began in the 1980s and the installation of heritage artifacts on 1st Avenue and at Transfer Beach have enhanced Ladysmith's reputation as a thriving, progressive community. Completion of the Town's plans for future development of the old industrial waterfront area will further strengthen this spirit. The Town of Ladysmith has also been forward-looking in developing relationships with the Chemainus First Nation and the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group. This cooperation will bring even more opportunities to ensure the continued prosperity and well being of all people living in this region.

Location

Ladysmith is located on the eastern shores of Vancouver Island, just 88 kilometres of Victoria and 23 kilometres south of Nanaimo.

Places to See

• Black Nugget Museum
  
  The Black Nugget Museum, at the corner of the Trans-Canada Highway and Gatacre Street, is a hidden treasure trove for history buffs and aficionados of ghostly tales. The former Jones hotel is open to the public for guided tours seven days a week from 9am to 3:30 pm during July and August. The splendidly restored hotel was owned and operated by Lodwich and Sarah Jones when it was moved in the early 1900s to its present site from Wellington, near modern-day Nanaimo.
  
  
• Transfer Beach
  
  Located near Ladysmith Harbour, Transfer Beach has kayak rentals and tours, courts for outdoor basketball and volleyball, playgrounds for children, horseshoe pits, picnic shelters, the Millennium Outdoor Amphitheatre, and an arboretum.
  
  
• Ladysmith Arboretum
  
  Open during daylight hours, this facility houses over 25 species of trees planted in the 1940's and a tree of unknown species that was grown from ancient seeds.
  
  
• Salmon Fish Hatchery
  
  Visit the salmon fish hatchery behind the Cassidy Hotel, just five minutes from Ladysmith. Open year-round to the public.
  
  
• First Avenue
  
  Stroll along First Avenue for a look at the turn-of-the century buildings - walking tour maps are available at the Info Centre.
  
  
• Holland Creek Trail
  
  The Holland Creek Trail is a 5.8-kilometre trail that runs along both sides of the creek. There are two major access points with parking available. The trail appeals to all levels of outdoor enthusiasts. Other trails that can be accessed from the Holland Creek Tail are Heart Lake Loop (6.4-kilometres), Stocking Lake loop (9.3-kilometres), and the Rotary Lookout Trail (1.2-kilometres). At Transfer Beach, enjoy the Marine Walk, a 1-kilometre trail that follows the waterfront, ending up at Ladysmith Fisherman Warf. The Estuary Trail, a short 10 minute walk along the edge of Ladysmith Harbour, offers views of marine and waterfowl.
  
  
• Takala Trails Ranch
  
  Bring your hiking boots, bike, or horseback and enjoy the peace and tranquil forest while staying in the comfort of a secluded chalet style cabin or in your own RV. The 48-acre ranch is located 20 minutes south of Nanaimo and the ferry.

Things to Do

• Explore Ladysmith Harbour
  
  The municipal boat launch in the centre of Ladysmith is the place to begin exploring the 5-mile length of Ladysmith Harbour. Dunsmuir and Woods Islands on the north side of the harbour are good destinations in summer, while the marshy lagoon at the head of the harbour attracts migrating birds in spring and fall.
  
  
• Golf
  
  The Ladysmith Golf Course is a 9-hole, par 27 course. Nearby Nanaimo and the areas to the north have seen the proliferation of golf courses with a view. Tee off on any of 20 golf courses within an hour's drive of Nanaimo. Courses range from family mini-golf to demanding 18-hole courses with beautiful views.
  
  
• Fishing
  
  Vancouver Island's east coast is home to some of the best fishing in the world. Enjoy fishing for salmon, cod, or red snapper year round, or drop a trap for crab and shrimp. The central Vancouver Island region is also well known for excellent fresh water fishing. Long Lake in north Nanaimo and the Nanaimo River are two very popular freshwater spots.
  
  
• Diving
  
  Some of the best scuba diving in North America can be found along the Nanaimo coastline. In these waters, seals take curious glances at divers, wolf eels come out of their dens to play, and sunken ships teem with life.

Events

• Festival of Lights
  
  A community effort for the entire island, the Ladysmith Festival of Lights has become a major attraction, bringing visitors (16,000+) from all over Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, the Pacific Northwest, and other parts of the world. It features a huge fireworks display and over 100,000 Christmas lights on streets, rooftops, and buildings. There's also lots of entertainment, concessions, a visit from notoriously reclusive celebrity Santa Claus (he only comes out once a year!), and a Kinsmen Parade.
  
  
• Vancouver Island 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!
  
  
• Sweet Pea Quilt Show
  
  Do you have a special fondness for quilts? Who doesn't? Come out to 1st Avenue to see some of the world's most beautifully designed quilts! Admission is free, so there's no excuse not to go.
  
  
• Strongman Competition
  
  The Ladysmith Amphitheatre boasts this international competition for the strongest men in the world! Will this year's winner be Hulk Hooligan or Charles 'World on my Shoulders' Atlas?
  
  
• Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce Artisan's Old-Fashioned Christmas Market
  
  Come out to Aggie Hall for an eclectic presentation of top-quality work by local artists. There will be everything, from pottery to meticulously-crafted pet treats.
  
  Best of all, the Christmas market takes place in November! The event organizers were so excited about Christmas they couldn't wait another month!

Contact Information

Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 598
Ladysmith, BC
V9G 1A4

Telephone: 1.250.245.2112
Fax: 1.250.245.2124
Website: www.ladysmithcofc.com

Town of Ladysmith

E-mail: info@ladysmith.ca
Website: www.ladysmith.ca