July 22, 2023, Nanaimo- It took about two hours to get from Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver, to this erstwhile coaling station, on Vancouver Island’s east coast. It’s name came from a mispronunciation of Snuneymuxw (“Snunaymuh”), the name of the First Nations people who lived here, when Spanish explorers first came by, in 1791. The Indigenous People shared a found coal deposit, with a group of Metis (Mixed Europeans/Native Canadians), who were in the employ of Hudson’s Bay Company, in 1850. The Metis, unfortunately, sniffed at their offer of trading the coal for one blanket.

A bastion, or small outpost, was built at Nanaimo Harbour, by Hudson’s Bay Company, in 1854. It has three floors, each showing a sampling of HBC’s wares and some documents. A high school student, working here for the summer, explained that the building had no military usage, though defensive weapons were in place during some times of tension. It was sometimes used as a refuge for First Nations people, fleeing conflict further north and for miners and their families, who felt threatened at times.

Below is The Bastion.

After visiting a while, around the harbour, I headed up hill, to Old City Quarter, the original business district, complete with remnants of a Red Light District, which catered to the coal miners of the 19th Century. No buildings remain, of that district and only historical mention is left, of that trade. It is notable that the most prominent building in Old City is the Presbyterian Church.

I stood in need of a stroll, this evening, and so went back to the wharf. Here is the Old Lighthouse, now a restaurant and bar, at twilight.

Painted Turtle Hostel is treating me well, so even in the heat of a July evening, I believe I will sleep well.