History of Gambier Island

George Vancouver

HMS Discovery

• In 1889, the HMS Plumper, under the command of Captain George Richards, undertook the first hydrographic survey of the Sound and also named additional features including Gambier Island after a British Admiral of the fleet, Lord James Gambier.
• The three prominent bays on the south side of Gambier West, Centre and Long Bays were named by early settlers to the sound.
• The first industry took place in 1865 when Hastings Sawmill leased hundreds of hectares for lumber.
• In 1875, A.C. Fraser applied for the first homestead.
• By 1890 a shingle mill was established on the island.
• Forest activities dominated the early development of Gambier.
• By the late 1920's, West Bay, Centre Bay and Long Bay became the site of large log booming operations, the cement pilings to moor the booms are still visible today in some locations .
• As actual logging activities decreased in the 30's, more settlers set up year-round and summer residences
• An attempt by Gambier Island Copper to creat a mine in the early 70's rallied the residents and the end result was the creation of the 1974 Islands Trust Act and the 1979 Gambier Island Zoning By-law, which now limits development on Gambier to recreational, residential or forestry.
• The Gambier Island community consists of approximately 320 permanent residences.