16 | CAMPBELL RIVER MIRROR | FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016
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MEN at Work
A Look at our Community Builders David Vanstone
David Vanstone was a pioneer, logger, and merchant who arrived in Campbell River at the turn of the century to pursue a career in the community’s booming logging industry. In 1921, David and his wife Eliza and purchased waterfront property on the north side of the Campbell River and moved there with their seven sons. He began at this point to transition out of the logging industry and into farming and other businesses. Mr. Vanstone purchased the local general store in 1926 with his business partner Allan Cross. In the coming years he purchased several properties and contributed to the construction of downtown Campbell River. He was also a financial backer for a long list of local businesses. He was known to tear up debt notes of businessmen who passed away leaving family behind, not expecting their widows to pay back the debt. To learn more about this influential and generous man, visit the Museum at Campbell River Archives or go to www.crmuseum.ca.
Charles Thulin
Charles Thulin and his brother Fred moved to Campbell River from Lund in 1904 to expand their business activities. They soon opened the community’s first hotel – The Willows, which was considered by many to be the beginning of the village of Campbell River. Shortly after the hotel opened, together with partner Elmer Hagstrom, the Thulins opened a small store, which was replaced in 1907 by a bigger store, The Campbell River Trading Company Store. In the same year, a large new wharf opened, making Campbell River a regular port of call for passing steamships. Mr. Thulin opened a larger and more opulent Willows Hotel in 1909. Shortly after its construction it burned to the ground, and a third Willows Hotel, even more sophisticated than the second, opened July 1st, 1910. Campbell River’s hospital was a passion of Charlie and his wife Mary, and together they donated the land and fundraised for the building of the town’s first hospital. To learn more about this dedicated community-builder, visit the Museum at Campbell River Archives or go to www.crmuseum.ca.
Roderick Haig-Brown
Roderick Haig-Brown was an avid fly-fisher, pioneering conservationist, acclaimed author and magistrate. Internationally renowned for his writing, he published 25 books and over 200 articles and speeches. His writings have influenced ecologists and others interested in the evolving relationship between people and nature. He was born in England, and in 1936, he moved with his new wife Ann to Campbell River where he settled into his writing career. His passion for environmental conservation made him an outspoken advocate for the natural environment. In 1942 he was appointed country magistrate for the region, a position in which he was respected for his compassion and sense of justice. Through his writings and activism, his voice was heard well beyond the community he called home. In 1977 a park established along the Adams River was named after Roderick in honour of his dedication to conservatism in the province. Recently, he has been declared by the Canadian government as a Person of National Historic Significance. To learn more about this compassionate and thoughtful environmental advocate visit the Museum at Campbell River Archives or go to www. crmuseum.ca or www.haig-brown.bc.ca .
Mike King
Mike King was raised on a farm in Michigan in the 1840s, after which he ventured to Campbell River with his brother, Jim, where he became one of the earliest timber cruisers in the area. Mike married Mary Cowie and moved his family to Victoria. He retained his land in Duncan Bay in the hopes of staking a claim of Elk Falls for the development of HydroElectric generation. His company, the Campbell River Power Company, was successful in staking a claim of the falls, but unfortunately, Mike did not live long enough to see through the project’s development. Aside from being an avid hiker and entrepreneur, Mike was a strong advocate for the construction of a bridge that would connect Campbell River to the Mainland via the Seymour Narrows. To learn more about Mike and his ambitious plans for Campbell River, visit the Museum at Campbell River Archives or go to www.crmuseum.ca.
Jim English
Jim English started out as the owner and operator of the store and Fisherman’s Lodge at Oyster River, where it is said he made his stake bootlegging during the prohibition era. Also known as “The Bishop”, Mr. English purchased the Quinsam Hotel in 1924. The beer parlour at The Bishop’s establishment was a favourite with loggers when they were out of camp. In 1926 this successful Campbell River businessman expanded the Quinsam to include a restaurant and barbershop. Prior to the opening of a government liquor store in Campbell River, Mr. English rented a corner of the Lilelana Pavilion building to sell liquor, as well as ice cream. He was always ready to help a man in need, to give him a bed and a meal, or to put up bail. To learn more about this charismatic and resourceful man, visit the Museum at Campbell River Archives or go to www.crmuseum.ca.