Duncan, British Columbia
Encyclopedia
Duncan is a city on southern Vancouver Island
in British Columbia
, Canada
.
). He arrived in Victoria
in May 1862, then in August of that year he was one of the party of a hundred settlers which Governor Douglas took to Cowichan Bay. After going off on several gold rushes, Duncan settled close to the present city of Duncan. He married in 1876, and his son Kenneth
became the first mayor of Duncan. A street bears his name today.
Duncan's farm was named Alderlea, and this was the first name of the adjacent settlement. In August 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.
In the early 1900s, Duncan's Chinatown
was the social centre for the Cowichan Valley's Chinese population. Chinatown was concentrated in a single block in the southwestern corner of Duncan. At its largest point, Duncan's Chinatown included six Chinese families and 30 merchants supplying loggers, millworkers and cannery and mine workers. As immigration laws became more restrictive, businesses closed and the buildings became run down. The city tore the buildings down in 1969 to build a new law courts complex. Some materials from the original buildings was used at Whippletree Junction.
In the 1980s, Duncan was linked to the 1985 bombings at Narita Airport in Japan and aboard Air India Flight 182
, Canada's largest murder case. Resident Inderjit Singh Reyat purchased bomb parts and a radio used to conceal a bomb at Duncan stores. Less than two weeks prior to the bombings, Reyat and suspected Air India mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar
were observed testing explosives in the woods outside of Duncan by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service
(CSIS).
to the south and Nanaimo to the north. Although the City of Duncan has a population of just over 5000 it serves the Cowichan Valley
, which has a population of approximately 78,000, many of whom live in North Cowichan contiguous with Duncan, giving Duncan a much larger "greater" population than that contained within the strict city limits. People in areas of North Cowichan bordering on Duncan use "Duncan" as their mailing address. Duncan is the seat of the Cowichan Valley Regional District
. It derives the name from Quw’utsun’ > Khowutzun > Cowichan, literally translated from Coast Salish into "The Warm Land".
s". The city has 80 totem pole
s around the entire town, which were erected in the late 1980s, including the world's largest totem pole (in diameter), carved by First Nations artisan Simon Charlie.
Duncan has a large First Nations
community and is the traditional home of the Cowichan Tribes
, who are the largest band among the Coast Salish
people. The Coast Salish men and women of the Cowichan Tribes are makers of the world famous Cowichan Sweaters.
Duncan is home to the BC Forest Discovery Centre
. Before the U.S.-Canada softwood lumber dispute, Duncan and the whole Cowichan Valley were a thriving lumber
centre in British Columbia.
Duncan is also home to Pacific Northwest Raptors, where travelers can see hawks, falcons, eagles, vultures and owls in flight. At this centre, you can also learn about the art of falconry, and take courses on how to care for, and hunt with, hawks and falcons.
Duncan has the world's largest ice hockey
stick, officially recognised by Guinness World Records on July 14, 2008, which is on display on the side of the local (formerly known) arena- the Cowichan Community Centre. The centre is now called The 'Island Savings Centre', (in 2008 Island Savings entered into a 10 year/one million dollar naming rights agreement with the CVRD). The stick was made specifically for Expo 86
in Vancouver
, and purchased by Duncan at the end of the event.
Duncan Garage Heritage Building (see photo below), beside the Phoenix Station Motor Inn in Duncan, construction started in 1912, by Robert McClay, for Norman Corefield, owner/operator of the Duncan Garage. It was completed early 1913, and appeared in Canadian Motorist Magazine(May 1913 issue) as; " The most complete and up-to-date fireproof garage on Vancouver Island". In 2002, Brant Weninger spearheaded "The Duncan Garage Restoration Project" and completely restored the Duncan Garage, creating which is now a community gathering place and focal point in Duncan. It was designated a heritage building in 2002 and added to Duncan's heritage building inventory. Other milestones for the Duncan Garage; In 1911 Norman Corefield drove the first car over the Malahat Hwy. opening up vehicle traffic to Duncan. The Duncan Garage set a provincial record for the longest operating business in one location(65 years) Duncan Garage mechanical team invented the first Ford Station Wagon, They also invented the first automobile air lift.
Duncan has one public secondary school, Cowichan Secondary School
, as well as several elementary and middle schools. It also has one private secondary university preparatory school, Queen Margaret's School
, established in 1921 which has a co-ed junior school included. There is also an independent Catholic school, Queen of Angels which continues up to Grade 9. The city is also home to Duncan Christian School. The head offices for School District 79 Cowichan Valley
are also located in Duncan.
In 2007 the city of Duncan deemed copyright privileges of the totem poles in the city. The use of the totems images in any form require the City of Duncan's approval.
's Cowichan Valley Capitals
, who play in the Island Savings Centre.
and the Cowichan Valley Regional Transit System
.
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
History
The community is named after William Chalmers Duncan (born 1836 in Sarnia, OntarioSarnia, Ontario
Sarnia is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada . It is the largest city on Lake Huron and is located where the upper Great Lakes empty into the St. Clair River....
). He arrived in Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
in May 1862, then in August of that year he was one of the party of a hundred settlers which Governor Douglas took to Cowichan Bay. After going off on several gold rushes, Duncan settled close to the present city of Duncan. He married in 1876, and his son Kenneth
Kenneth Forrest Duncan
Kenneth Forrest Duncan was a public servant, farmer, financial agent and political figure in British Columbia. He represented Cowichan in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1919 to 1924 as an Independent member.He was born in Duncan, British Columbia, which was named after his...
became the first mayor of Duncan. A street bears his name today.
Duncan's farm was named Alderlea, and this was the first name of the adjacent settlement. In August 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.
In the early 1900s, Duncan's Chinatown
Chinatown
A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...
was the social centre for the Cowichan Valley's Chinese population. Chinatown was concentrated in a single block in the southwestern corner of Duncan. At its largest point, Duncan's Chinatown included six Chinese families and 30 merchants supplying loggers, millworkers and cannery and mine workers. As immigration laws became more restrictive, businesses closed and the buildings became run down. The city tore the buildings down in 1969 to build a new law courts complex. Some materials from the original buildings was used at Whippletree Junction.
In the 1980s, Duncan was linked to the 1985 bombings at Narita Airport in Japan and aboard Air India Flight 182
Air India Flight 182
Air India Flight 182 was an Air India flight operating on the Montreal–London–Delhi route. On 23 June 1985, the airplane operating on the route a Boeing 747-237B named after Emperor Kanishka was blown up by a bomb at an altitude of , and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean while in Irish airspace.A...
, Canada's largest murder case. Resident Inderjit Singh Reyat purchased bomb parts and a radio used to conceal a bomb at Duncan stores. Less than two weeks prior to the bombings, Reyat and suspected Air India mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar
Talwinder Singh Parmar
Talwinder Singh Parmar , born in village Panshta , district Kapurthala, Punjab, India, was a highranking member of the Sikh militant group Babbar Khalsa. He belonged to the Sikh Rajput community....
were observed testing explosives in the woods outside of Duncan by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service is Canada's national intelligence service. It is responsible for collecting, analyzing, reporting and disseminating intelligence on threats to Canada's national security, and conducting operations, covert and overt, within Canada and abroad.Its...
(CSIS).
Location
The railroad continues to cross Duncan as does the Trans-Canada Highway. The city is about 50 kilometres from both VictoriaVictoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
to the south and Nanaimo to the north. Although the City of Duncan has a population of just over 5000 it serves the Cowichan Valley
Cowichan Valley
The Cowichan Valley is a region around the Cowichan River and Cowichan Lake on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. There is some debate as to the origin of the name Cowichan, which many believe to be an anglicized form of the First Nations tribal name Quw'utsun.Communities include...
, which has a population of approximately 78,000, many of whom live in North Cowichan contiguous with Duncan, giving Duncan a much larger "greater" population than that contained within the strict city limits. People in areas of North Cowichan bordering on Duncan use "Duncan" as their mailing address. Duncan is the seat of the Cowichan Valley Regional District
Cowichan Valley Regional District, British Columbia
The Cowichan Valley Regional District is a regional district in the Canadian province of British Columbia is on the southern part of Vancouver Island, bordered by the Nanaimo and Alberni-Clayoquot Regional Districts to the north and northwest, and by the Capital Regional District to the south and...
. It derives the name from Quw’utsun’ > Khowutzun > Cowichan, literally translated from Coast Salish into "The Warm Land".
Tourist attractions
Duncan's tourism slogan is "The City of TotemTotem
A totem is a stipulated ancestor of a group of people, such as a family, clan, group, lineage, or tribe.Totems support larger groups than the individual person. In kinship and descent, if the apical ancestor of a clan is nonhuman, it is called a totem...
s". The city has 80 totem pole
Totem pole
Totem poles are monumental sculptures carved from large trees, mostly Western Red Cedar, by cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America...
s around the entire town, which were erected in the late 1980s, including the world's largest totem pole (in diameter), carved by First Nations artisan Simon Charlie.
Duncan has a large First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
community and is the traditional home of the Cowichan Tribes
Cowichan Tribes
The Cowichan Tribes First Nations government, located in and around the Cowichan Valley and Duncan, British Columbia, it is the single largest band government in British Columbia....
, who are the largest band among the Coast Salish
Coast Salish
Coast Salish languages are a subgroup of the Salishan language family. These languages are spoken by First Nations or Native American peoples inhabiting the territory that is now the southwest coast of British Columbia around the Strait of Georgia and Washington state around Puget Sound...
people. The Coast Salish men and women of the Cowichan Tribes are makers of the world famous Cowichan Sweaters.
Duncan is home to the BC Forest Discovery Centre
BC Forest Discovery Centre
The BC Forest Discovery Centre, located in Duncan, chronicles the history of logging in British Columbia, Canada. Its mission is to be British Columbia's foremost interpreter and presenter of the forest community – past, present and future. It is a 100 acre site with 3 km of operational...
. Before the U.S.-Canada softwood lumber dispute, Duncan and the whole Cowichan Valley were a thriving lumber
Lumber
Lumber or timber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production....
centre in British Columbia.
Duncan is also home to Pacific Northwest Raptors, where travelers can see hawks, falcons, eagles, vultures and owls in flight. At this centre, you can also learn about the art of falconry, and take courses on how to care for, and hunt with, hawks and falcons.
Duncan has the world's largest ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
stick, officially recognised by Guinness World Records on July 14, 2008, which is on display on the side of the local (formerly known) arena- the Cowichan Community Centre. The centre is now called The 'Island Savings Centre', (in 2008 Island Savings entered into a 10 year/one million dollar naming rights agreement with the CVRD). The stick was made specifically for Expo 86
Expo 86
The 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, or simply Expo '86, was a World's Fair held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from Friday, May 2 until Monday, October 13, 1986...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, and purchased by Duncan at the end of the event.
Duncan Garage Heritage Building (see photo below), beside the Phoenix Station Motor Inn in Duncan, construction started in 1912, by Robert McClay, for Norman Corefield, owner/operator of the Duncan Garage. It was completed early 1913, and appeared in Canadian Motorist Magazine(May 1913 issue) as; " The most complete and up-to-date fireproof garage on Vancouver Island". In 2002, Brant Weninger spearheaded "The Duncan Garage Restoration Project" and completely restored the Duncan Garage, creating which is now a community gathering place and focal point in Duncan. It was designated a heritage building in 2002 and added to Duncan's heritage building inventory. Other milestones for the Duncan Garage; In 1911 Norman Corefield drove the first car over the Malahat Hwy. opening up vehicle traffic to Duncan. The Duncan Garage set a provincial record for the longest operating business in one location(65 years) Duncan Garage mechanical team invented the first Ford Station Wagon, They also invented the first automobile air lift.
Climate
Education
Vancouver Island University (formerly Malaspina University-College) has a regional campus in Duncan that offers programs and courses in university transfer, access, trades and applied technology, health and human services, and career and academic preparation. The campus also has a Continuing Education department that offers certificate programs, personal and professional development courses, and online courses. A new 55000 square feet (5,109.7 m²) campus opened for classes in June of 2011.Duncan has one public secondary school, Cowichan Secondary School
Cowichan Secondary School
Cowichan Secondary is a public high school in Duncan, British Columbia part of School District 79 Cowichan Valley.-School Reports - Ministry of Education:* * * *...
, as well as several elementary and middle schools. It also has one private secondary university preparatory school, Queen Margaret's School
Queen Margaret's School
Queen Margaret's School is a private boarding school/Day School, located in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada. It was founded by Miss Norah Creina Denny and Miss Dorothy Rachel Geoghegan in 1921...
, established in 1921 which has a co-ed junior school included. There is also an independent Catholic school, Queen of Angels which continues up to Grade 9. The city is also home to Duncan Christian School. The head offices for School District 79 Cowichan Valley
School District 79 Cowichan Valley
School District 79, is located in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It consists of numerous elementary , middle , Secondary schools, and alternative schools for programs like adult education.The current Superintendent of SD 79 is Dan Boudreault.-History:The current...
are also located in Duncan.
In 2007 the city of Duncan deemed copyright privileges of the totem poles in the city. The use of the totems images in any form require the City of Duncan's approval.
Sports
Duncan is the home city of the British Columbia Hockey LeagueBritish Columbia Hockey League
The British Columbia Hockey League is a Junior "A" ice hockey league from British Columbia under Hockey Canada, a subsection of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Founded in Vernon in 1961, the BCHL now includes 16 teams. These teams play in two conferences, known as the Coastal and the Interior...
's Cowichan Valley Capitals
Cowichan Valley Capitals
The Cowichan Valley Capitals are a Junior "A" Ice Hockey team based in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Coastal Conference of the British Columbia Hockey League...
, who play in the Island Savings Centre.
Transportation
Public transit is provided in conjunction between BC TransitBC Transit
BC Transit is a provincial crown agency responsible for coordinating the delivery of public transportation within British Columbia, Canada, outside of Greater Vancouver...
and the Cowichan Valley Regional Transit System
Cowichan Valley Regional Transit System
Cowichan Valley Regional Transit System is a public bus service in Duncan and the Cowichan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. The conventional transit of the Cowichan Valley Transit System has been in service since 1993 and is currently operated by Greyhound Canada...
.
Notable residents
See also :Category:People from Duncan, British Columbia- Greg Adams former NHL player.
- Robin BawaRobin BawaRobin N. Bawa is a retired former professional ice hockey player who spent parts of four seasons in the National Hockey League between 1989 and 1994.-Playing career:...
former NHL player - Doug BodgerDoug BodgerDoug Bodger is a former Canadian ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League. Selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins ninth overall in the 1984 NHL Draft he would play in over 1,000 games in the NHL with the Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, and...
former NHL player. - Geoff CourtnallGeoff CourtnallGeoffrey Lawton Courtnall is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2000. He was the head coach of the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL as well as the University of Victoria Vikes of the BCIHL.Courtnall was born in Victoria, British Columbia,...
former NHL player. - Russ CourtnallRuss CourtnallRuss Courtnall is a former NHL player. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings...
former NHL player. - Matt EllisonMatt EllisonMatt Ellison is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career:...
former NHL player. - Matt EvansMatt Evans (rugby player)Matt Evans is a Canadian international rugby union player. Matt Evans is a utility back and has played in various back-line positions including fly-half, centre, wing, and full-back.Evans competed at the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship representing Canada...
Canadian international Rugby unionRugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player - Mitch Guindon former drummer for rock band NickelbackNickelbackNickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger.. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005....
- Mike SweeneyMike Sweeney (soccer)Michael "Mike" Sweeney is a former Canadian soccer player.-NASL:In 1980, the Edmonton Drillers of the North American Soccer League signed Sweeney. He spent three seasons with the Drillers before moving to the Vancouver Whitecaps for the 1983 season...
former soccer player (played for Canada at the 1986 World Cup). - Alan WilsonAlan WilsonProfessor Sir Alan Geoffrey Wilson is a British mathematician and social scientist, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds...
former CFLCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
player.