Chemainus, BC

Chemainus BC, Where History, Inventiveness, the Arts and Lumber Jacks, find a common interest and community.

Chemainus BC, an idyllic community located in the Cowichan Valley, about 45 minutes North East of Victoria BC on Amazing Vancouver Island, went from Native community with a protected bay to a logging and mill town, before a major slow down in the lumber industry almost turned it into a ghost town....

The remaining residents decided that they where not going to give up on their town without a fight, and decided on depicting their history, heritage and culture in the 40+ Murals and Sculptures that we now enjoy.

Today Chemainus is one of the must visit day trip destination near Victoria, with a wonderful walking tour that takes you by the 40+ murals, the amazing town core is a trow back to yester-years, with great shopping, food, surprises around every corner and lovely vista's.

Stay for the day and take in some amazing performances at the beautiful Local Theater, we have and loved every minute of visiting Chemainus BC.

We hope you enjoy our little walking tour video, and if and when you have an opportunity, come visit Chemainus BC soon.

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RUSSELL FARMERS MARKET CHAMANINUS- BC

Yesterday was my birthday (my photo created by Coke for my birthday)and Jane and I took the day off .....well half the day off and drove up island to Chemanius BC, about an hour's drive North of Victoria.

On the way home we stopped for Fresh Veggies just north of Duncan at Russell Farmers Market so Jane could buy some Fresh Veggie to take home for our dinner.

While Jane was shopping I took the opportunity to take a few photos of the colourful Fruit and Veggie's along with some of the Antique Farm equipment they have on display.

Here is my Photobucket sideshow ...Enjoy

The little town of Chemainus, B.C., once a forest town,

needed something to generate new revenue, so they got creative.

They invited artists from around the world to generate art on the sides

of buildings. Located on the east side of Vancouver Island between

Victoria and Nanaimo, this is a MUST stop for any tourist.

The project started in 1982 with five murals; today there are

41 murals and 13 sculptures which attract 400,000 visitors a year.

A TOUR OF THE MURALS

No visit to Chemainus is complete without sampling

one of their legendary ice cream cones. Buy one and walk around

looking at all the art work which is now world famous.

The last weekend in June is the "Festival of the Murals".

This celebration continues though the summer with outdoor theatre,

puppetry, clowning, food booths, street music, folk dancing and an

annual giant swap meet. It's a neat place and worth a visit.

One of the highlights of our visit to Vancouver Island, BC was stopping in a small Cowichan Valley town called Chemainus, "The Little Town That Did".

Chemainus has been settled for over 140 years and thrived as a mill town until the 1980s when the slowing of the forestry industry caused the mill to close down.

Faced with devastating unemployment and a possible demise of their industrious community, Karl Schultz sought to save the town by creating the 'Chemainus Mural Project'.

Artists came from far and wide to paint detailed murals depicting the town and surrounding area's history on the exterior walls of the buildings.
Soon tourists started to flock in by the thousands to view the murals and the town was saved.

Take a tour of all of the murals here.

If you visit Vancouver Island, don't forsake the hour's drive north of Victoria to visit this lively and curiously beautiful little town. Take a stroll around and try to see as  many of the fascinating murals as you possibly can.

Stop in and shop at some of the unique little shops and boutiques. There's an especially good coffee place called the Book Nook Coffee Shop that doubles as a used bookstore and the day we were there I noticed that it was a drop-in for many locals who seemed right at home in the comfortable atmosphere.
I have a dairy allergy and was very grateful to find that they offered soy milk for the delicious cup of coffee I had ordered.

Chemainus has a very picturesque harbour and many day trips for viewing Ladysmith Harbour, wineries, totems and more.

Chemainus, British Columbia is one of the most fascinating and picturesque places you will visit on Vancouver Island and will live on in your memory and heart for long after you return home.

©2009JoSmith