Cumberland BC: The Cumberlander Articles Section
Coal Creek Historic Park general · 24th April 2011
Grace Doherty
Cumberland Chinatown (1888-1968)
Cumberland’s Chinatown was built on wetlands just west of the settlement of Union on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Chinese workers were brought in by the Dunsmuir family (Union Colliery Company) to build and then work in the mines and to build the Wellington Colliery Railway to transport the coal to the seaport of Union Bay. At the site of #2 mine (1891-99) they drained the swamp; built houses, businesses and market gardens; and became one of Canada’s largest Chinese communities by the end of WWI. Over the course of the town’s existence, 100 Chinese miners were lost in coal mining disasters, and many suffered losses from flood and fires, including one in 1943 that destroyed 43 buildings (one-third of the town).
The head tax of $50 initiated in 1884 increased ten-fold to $500 by 1905. Paid half of the wages of their European co-workers, Chinese miners were hard pressed to repay the company loan of the head tax, send money home overseas and eke out a living. They worked in the worst conditions and were the first to be laid off in hard economic times. The Great Depression of the 1930s saw the end of mining jobs for Chinese workers and the population continued to decline into the 1960s, many moving to Vancouver.
A 104- acre property containing Chinatown and No. 1 Japanese Town was gifted to the Village of Cumberland by Weldwood Canada in 2002 with a restrictive covenant to protect its heritage and sensitive natural environment. Initially called Perseverance Creek Historic Park it was renamed Coal Creek Historic Park in 2007. Little remains of this formerly thriving community other than Jumbo's cabin. Descendant John Leung has created several photo easels showing the buildings that once stood there.
A picnic pavilion has been built at the junction of Haa Gai and Shan Gai Roads, a popular gathering place where a news board once stood. Five picnic tables will welcome visitors to sit and enjoy the rich history and natural beauty of Coal Creek Historic Park.
*Sources: Cumberland Museum and Archives, Cumberland Heritage by Jennifer Nell Barr, discussions and correspondence with former residents and descendants.
Cumberland’s Chinatown was built on wetlands just west of the settlement of Union on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Chinese workers were brought in by the Dunsmuir family (Union Colliery Company) to build and then work in the mines and to build the Wellington Colliery Railway to transport the coal to the seaport of Union Bay. At the site of #2 mine (1891-99) they drained the swamp; built houses, businesses and market gardens; and became one of Canada’s largest Chinese communities by the end of WWI. Over the course of the town’s existence, 100 Chinese miners were lost in coal mining disasters, and many suffered losses from flood and fires, including one in 1943 that destroyed 43 buildings (one-third of the town).
The head tax of $50 initiated in 1884 increased ten-fold to $500 by 1905. Paid half of the wages of their European co-workers, Chinese miners were hard pressed to repay the company loan of the head tax, send money home overseas and eke out a living. They worked in the worst conditions and were the first to be laid off in hard economic times. The Great Depression of the 1930s saw the end of mining jobs for Chinese workers and the population continued to decline into the 1960s, many moving to Vancouver.
A 104- acre property containing Chinatown and No. 1 Japanese Town was gifted to the Village of Cumberland by Weldwood Canada in 2002 with a restrictive covenant to protect its heritage and sensitive natural environment. Initially called Perseverance Creek Historic Park it was renamed Coal Creek Historic Park in 2007. Little remains of this formerly thriving community other than Jumbo's cabin. Descendant John Leung has created several photo easels showing the buildings that once stood there.
A picnic pavilion has been built at the junction of Haa Gai and Shan Gai Roads, a popular gathering place where a news board once stood. Five picnic tables will welcome visitors to sit and enjoy the rich history and natural beauty of Coal Creek Historic Park.
*Sources: Cumberland Museum and Archives, Cumberland Heritage by Jennifer Nell Barr, discussions and correspondence with former residents and descendants.