Texada Island rises up out of The Straits of Georgia some forty miles west of Vancouver between Vancouver Island and the mainland. No doubt that the first to discover the Island were First Nations people evident by the fact that several middens and fish weirs have been found on the west shore of the Island. Arrowheads, spear heads and honed pieces of slate also have been found. The Sliammon First Nations People’s name for Texada Island is Si’ yi yen.
In 1791 Francisco Eliza and Dioniso Alcala Galiano, Spanish explorers, first sighted and charted this island, Jose Maria Navarez later named the Island Texada after his friend Rear-Admiral Felix de Texada.
British Captain, George Vancouver, referred to the island as "Favada," but this may have been the English translation of the Spanish "Texada."
Texada remained silent until 1871 when Harry Trim a fisherman and a homesteader in Blubber Bay, stopped one day to examine the rusty red area on the hillside some three miles West of Gillies Bay. The result of this discovery and the subsequent actions of Trim caused a scandal that rocked the Province and overthrew the Government of Amor de Cosmos. This scandal would draw the interest of many who would bring about the most interesting and historical period of mining on the coast.
The Blubber Bay Museum is located in the Thacker House, just a short walk from ferry terminal in Blubber Bay (2 mins). Whether by foot or car, we encourage you to enjoy Texada Island's wealth of history and natural beauty.
Texada Island Heritage Society now hosts two Museums and Archives where we store, preserve and display the historic artefacts that illustrate and document the exciting past of Texada Island. Our original museum is located in the Thacker house located in Blubber Bay on the property of our host sponsor Ash Grove Cement Co. whom we had the pleasure of joining in 2007 to celebrate 100 years of continuous mining.
On July 12, 2008, with our new sponsors School District # 47 and B.C. 150, we celebrated Van Anda Day and officially opened our second Museum and Archives in the former Van Anda Elementary School.
The Blubber Bay Museum is open July and August, Thursdays through Sundays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Open on Long weekends and for special occasions by request.
The Van Anda Museum / Archives is open on a relaxed basis, between 10:00am and 12:00 pm on Wednesdays. It is also open July and August, Thursdays through Sundays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Open on Long weekends and for special occasions by request.
