Cowichan Station, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Cowichan Station is a small community in the Cowichan Valley, near Whippletree Junction, established in 1885 as a stop-off for the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway. Cowichan Station was built to service settlers living in the area as well as the logging and copper mine operations located on Mount Sicker and Mount Prevost.

In 1881 Donald McPherson purchased the area that was to later become the heart of Cowichan Station. A train station was built and named after him, and in 1885 a trading post was established for the employees of the railroad contractors. In 1887 the Central Hotel, Cowichan Hotel, post office, blacksmith shop, Community Hall, and quarry were all built. The name of the community conflicted when Canada Post was later set up, and so Cowichan Station came into being in 1896.

During the boom years of 1909 to 1913 there also were 2 general stores, 2 real estate offices, 2 Chinese laundries, a smithy, shoemaker, doctor, 2 boarding houses, a hardware store, butcher shop, livery, and 2 churches (Anglican and Methodist). A fire in 1911 destroyed most of the town, and another fire destroyed the two hotels in 1924. The depression also took its toll, with the closure of many of the businesses.

It wasn't until the late 1980s that Cowichan Station lost its post office and general store, now home to South Island Tile Works. The Southern Railway of Vancouver Island train, formerly known as the E & N Train, still stops at Cowichan Station, with the railway station on Koksilah Road maintained by the local community.

Cowichan Station draws its name from an Island Halkomelem word meaning warm country or land warmed by the sun The name originated because of a large rock formation on the side of Mount Tzuhalem that supposedly resembled a frog basking in the sun. Cowichan Lake was originally known as Kaatza, the Cowichan word for big lake.

Today, Cowichan Station is an active community centred around St. Andrew's Church that is passionate about its historical roots and excited about its future.

Location: Cowichan Station in the Cowichan valley is located on Koksilah Road west of the Island Highway (Hwy 19), near Whippletree Junction, south of Duncan and north of Mill Bay. The Cowichan Valley is a 30-minute scenic drive from both Victoria in the south and Nanaimo in the north. VIA Rail travels between Victoria and Courtenay. Stops within the Cowichan area include Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Cowichan Station, Duncan, Chemainus and Ladysmith.

Over 200 species of birds are attracted to the feeding grounds at the mouth of the Koksilah and Cowichan Rivers.

The spectacular Cowichan River Provincial Park protects significant stretches of the Cowichan River, known as a first class recreational corridor. The park is internationally recognized for its wild salmon and steelhead trout, and for the historic Cowichan River footpath that winds through dense Douglas-fir and Western Hemlock forest. Stroll along the footpath - a sensational 20 km hiking trail following the river to Skutz Falls.

Bright Angel Provincial Park is a tiny refuge on the banks of the Koksilah River. Trails wind through the forest and cross a suspension bridge high above the river. Huge, old Red Cedar and Douglas-fir trees lean over the river and, at Easter time, fawn lilies nod among the trees.

For a spectacular view of the region, hike up Mount Tzouhalem.

Fish along the Cowichan River, one of the most consistent fishing rivers on the Island; a fishing/hiking path stretches 31 kilometres (19 miles) along the riverbank. Brown, rainbow, and steelhead trout, as well as vigorous salmon runs, make fishing here legendary. Chinook, coho, and steelhead that school in Cowichan Bay enter the river to spawn in November and December. There's also a steelhead run in March.

Golf: Golf courses in the area include the Cowichan Golf and Country Club and Duncan Meadows Golf and Country Club in Duncan, and Arbutus Ridge Golf Club in nearby Cobble Hill. Golf Vacations on Vancouver Island.

North of Cowichan Station is Duncan, the civic centre of the Cowichan Valley and the traditional home of the Coast Salish First nation. Known as the City of Totems, Duncan boasts over 41 distinctive hand-carved cedar poles on public display in parks and downtown streets.

To the east is the village of Cowichan Bay, established as a settlement in the 1850s as a Hudson's Bay Company fort.

	Genoa Bay Caf�, Duncan	Listing Details
	The Genoa Bay Cafe offers a fine selection of Pacific Rim cuisines, featuring fresh seafood from local waters, meats, produce and poultry from the farms of the Cowichan Valley, and the relaxed ambience of a waterfront setting at the Genoa Bay Marina. The Genoa Bay Cafe guarantees a unique and memorable experience. Open 7 days a week.

	Genoa Bay Marina, Duncan	Listing Details
	Genoa Bay Marina offers lush tree-lined shores, towering vistas, and sheltered moorage. Our prices are affordable, and our services include Transient and Permanent Moorage, a General and Marine Store, Car and Video/DVD rental, Laundry, Showers and Washrooms, Fax service, Postal services, Internet and email access, and the Genoa Bay Cafe. Shipwright and Mechanical services are also available.

	Sahtlam Lodge & Cabins, Duncan	Listing Details
	Riverside, secluded cabins, tucked amid conifers. Cook-friendly cabins have hottub or steamspa, woodburning fireplace, campfire, and BBQ. Private handcart to 20-km Cowichan River Footpath. Seasonal swimming, fishing, birding, wildflowers. Great hiking. Pets by arrangement. Minimum stays, except walk-ins. 90 minutes from Victoria, 20 minutes west of Hwy 1. Click the link below to see the private, sunny riverfront acreage, cabins and rates.

	Arbutus Ridge Golf Club, Cobble Hill	Listing Details
	Arbutus Ridge Golf Club is located in the seaside community of Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island, a scenic 40-minute drive from Victoria and Nanaimo and just 10 minutes away from the cultural city of Duncan. Arbutus Ridge is rated the #1 Destination Golf Course in British Columbia and the legendary 17th hole is ranked One of the Top 18 Golf Holes on Vancouver Island.

	Cobble House B&B, Cobble Hill	Listing Details
	Cobble House Bed & Breakfast is located in Vancouver Island's Wine Country, the Cowichan Valley, just 45 minutes north of Victoria. Nestled in a 40-acre private forest, with a creek along one side, we offer 3 spacious guestrooms, all with private bathroom and comfortable sitting areas. Centrally located for exploring Vancouver Island. Wir sprechen Deutsch. Wij spreken Nederlands.

	Cowichan Bay Kayak & Outfitters, Cowichan Bay	Listing Details
	Kayak tours, rentals and lessons for groups of all sizes. Daily tours explore Cowichan Bay and offer close-up looks at playful seals, otters, bald eagles, and great blue herons. A truly unique and unforgettable experience. Join us for the most scenic tours in the Cowichan Valley. No experience necessary. See you on the water!!!

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