Qualicum Beach
Qualicum Beach is a town located in the Regional District of Nanaimo, British Columbia. As of the 2001 census, the town had a total population of 6,921.
Located on the Strait of Georgia on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, the community has been a popular tourist destination for residents of Victoria and Vancouver, as well as a retirement community, served by the Island Highway (the main North-South highway on the Island) and by a daily train. The community is dotted with rental cottages along the coastline. It has the oldest average population in Canada.
History
Qualicum Beach, an attractive seaside town on the east coast of Vancouver Island, began as a lumberering and summer cabin area. A private boy's school was established there in the 1920's and retired British military members also settled to a peaceful seaside life. The arrival of the E and N Railway and the Island Highway in the Edwardian Era heralded a new age. A power station was constructed and the village expanded. Doukobor settlers moved to adjoining Hilliers farming district in the 1930's.
Qualicum Beach was officially incorporated as a village on May 5, 1942 and was changed to town status on January 7, 1983.The area is growing quickly with new suburbs and major new highway. Currently, it is a favourite retirement and golfing community. Nearby is Qualicum Falls park and Horne Lake Caves.
The name "Qualicum" comes from a Coast Salish term that means "where the dog salmon run." The HBC explorer Horne, crossed the island from the Qualicum River to the Barclay Sound in the 1850's. He also was involved in a Haida massacre of Salish natives. Horne Lake is named for him.
Geography
Highway 19A, known as the Oceanside route or the Old Island Highway, runs the length of the town along the shore line of the Strait of Georgia. The modern 4 lane Inland Island Highway, (Highway 19), passes nearby. The Qualicum Beach exit is also its junction with Highway 4, which runs to Port Alberni and on to Tofino, Ucluelet, Bamfield and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on the west coast of the Island.
According to Statistics Canada, the town has a total area of 12.45 km².
Demographics
As of the Canada 2001 Census, there are 6,921 people, and 3,509 households living in the town. The population density is 556.0/km².
External links
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