ESTABLISHING A SUITABLE TRAIL SYSTEM, 1987-90

By 1987, the parks clean-up was well underway. On January 9, 1987, the founder and president of the Friends, Edo Nyland met with the BC Parks Zone Supervisor; Parks Planner; Resource Technician & Surveyor; and the Visitor Services Representative. They toured the old-growth valley, out the West Viewpoint, along the Surveyors’ Trail and up the Thomson Cabin Trail. They inspected the new airport radar facility, the viewing platform and the upper roadside safety fence; they agreed there was much to do in the park. The Parks Planner said: “the Master Plan would be done this year, with the Friends in-put.”

After three years of: monitoring the summit access road; the building of the airport radar; opposing a reservoir site within the park; hedging against the misuse of the park; and removing decade’s worth of accumulated garbage throughout – the Friends of John Dean Park initiated the park’s first trail restoration project since 1957.

On February 20, 1987, with the assistance of the BC Parks Zone Supervisor, Edo applied for a grant to repair the main trails. Responding to questions on the form, he wrote: (1) “Trail system of John Dean Park which was constructed 1936-37, and badly in need of some work.” (2) “Replace footbridge constructed in 1937 and almost totally rotted away. It’s dangerous (10’ span, 6’ width). Resurface and crown main access trail with ¾” road base material, to be covered with standard cedar bark chips. Machine rental to transport materials.” (3) “This is only maintenance of existing park trails and footbridge. The work is essential if this park is to be kept up.” On March 26, the requested grant of $1,395 was approved.

To describe the initial survey of the Barret Montfort Trail, Edo wrote: “On Saturday, March 21, 1987, Neil Michaluk and I started at noon following the east boundary of John Dean Park, from the park road south into Central Saanich, until we reached the highest point on the boundary closest to where the Central Saanich municipal park reaches John Dean Park. Here we went a few feet up hill and started flagging our way back north along the foot of a massive cliff. The going turned out to be relatively easy and a good trail can be constructed here, with only three or four sets of steps.”

On May 8, 1987, Edo met with the Parks Planner and the Park Manager in the park. After visiting the Duck Pond, they inspected and approved the recently flagged east-side trail. This trail would connect the Gail Wickens’ Trail to the park’s entrance, and continue to Gillian Manner (now Dunsmuir Lodge). Afterwards they went for “…a meal at the Sidney Hotel. Back to my place by 7pm, good meal etc. The four of us devoured a chicken, half a loaf of homemade bread, buns etc., finished by 7:30pm when the first guests arrived.”

Edo, the two from Parks and six others participated in a planning meeting where they discussed: the need for a perimeter trail; removal of the picnic site fire-pit; no additional facilities; park history interpretive signage; installation of a night gate; and a brochure with history and map. After expressing his gratitude, the Park Manager, Don Carruthers presented a check for $1,395 for the main trail improvements.

Shortly afterwards, Edo arranged for two loads of gravel and a machine to re-grade and surface the 8” deep, washed-out Valley Mist Trail Easy. Also, four scoops were placed on eroded sections leading down towards the Duck Pond. And on May 23, 1987, a crew of volunteers replaced the Rambling Footbridge on Skipper’s Path.

On September 21, 1987, BC Parks authorised the Friends to construct the east-side trail. The October 1987 newsletter offered: “Anyone willing to work on the new trail will find work to his liking, be it setting stones, grub-hoe work, building wooden steps, cementing small retaining walls, bridging swampy areas, constructing tables and benches at the south-east viewpoint, making a pot of coffee for the workers or just simply recording the whole process on film for posterity.”

Today’s Montfort West was built entirely by Edo Nyland, and was opened by Halloween. Montfort East had a consistent crew of a dozen volunteers who worked on Saturdays, with several regulars who also worked during the week. It was open and usable by mid-December 1987, and it was tentatively named Sunrise Trail.

On January 22, 1988, Edo wrote the Park Manager in Gold Stream, reporting the east-side trail had been completed: “Sometime last year I drew on a contour map the continuation of our trail in a westerly direction, which we sent to you. I would appreciate it if you could inspect this flagged trail on the ground and pass on your opinion about this proposed location. If continuation is acceptable, I would like to have your approval in writing so that we can continue our work. We have a group of about 14 people working on Saturdays; some of them steady workers while others show up only occasionally. The momentum is here and I hate to have to stop the construction process.” By telephone, Edo received permission to continue the trail westward to Alec Road.

By February 8, 1988, the volunteer trail crew had become too large for one project. The main 31 person troop split into three teams. The Alec Road Crew was led by Ted Greenwood; with 11 regulars they worked from the road upwards. The Central Saanich Crew was led by Conroy Schultz; with 6 regulars they started the Woodward Trail, working from the West Viewpoint Trail eastward. The East Side Crew was led by Edo Nyland; with 14 regulars, they started the Woodward Trail as a continuation of the Montfort Trail working westward. By mid-April the Woodward Trail was opened, the upper crews started on the Alec Road trail and worked down/westward. Moral was high, and steady progress was happening weekly. Their chosen deadline for completion was May 20, 1988 – just in time for first Friends Annual Picnic.

The names Montfort and Woodward were chosen to recognize the person who donated that stretch of land. The Alec Road trail was named to honour Merrill Harrop, who helped build the trail and who gathered the most petition signatures for the west-side land addition.

With three major trails achieved; the last trail needed to complete the parks outer loop was to be through the north-end. On September 9, 1988, Edo wrote BC Parks: “The North Block of the park is very rough in places and a great deal of searching and back tracing had to be done to find a suitable location. Please come and inspect the work done so far. You are advised to wear old clothes in the logged-over part of the park. If the location of the proposed trail is satisfactory, we could start construction by the end of October.”

The BC Parks Zone Supervisor inspected the proposed North Block route, and on March 10 wrote: “This letter will confirm approval for the Friends of John Dean to construct the section of trail from the Dunsmuir Lodge back to Dean Park Road that we walked on February 2, 1989. Please ensure that the trail is constructed entirely within the park boundary. If there is any doubt please inform me before construction.” Initial blazing started that March, working from the upper road northward. Volunteers worked weekends; during the summer this author laboured nearly every day.

In June 1989, Edo submitted an application for the Environmental Youth Corps of British Columbia to put the finishing touches on the Slektain Trail. By mid-July the project proposal was before their steering committee, and by August 14, Edo had a crew of five youth between ages 16 and 24, and a supervisor who worked for six weeks. They were managed by Jack Thom, whom Edo knew from the Yukon, which created a great working relationship. This crew started at Dunsmuir Lodge and worked southward upgrading the trail. During the autumn of 1990, Crew #2 spent two weeks finalizing the Montfort, and four weeks on the Slektain, they literally finished the trail.  And with an overlap, Crew #3 spent two weeks finalizing the Woodward. By November 1990, the new trails had been finished to a high-standard.

Looking to name the North Block trail, on September 11, 1990, this author suggested the Friends ask the Pauquachin Band for a suitable name. Gabe Bartlemen offered the name Slektain, a Hereditary Chief name of Pauquachin. We also conferred the names Thunderbird and LAUWELNEW to the trails that lead to the summit. BC Parks supplied the wooden signs, and we did the installs.

The 1980s was a decade of considerable concern for John Dean Park. Thankfully peninsula residents created the Friends. Today, John Dean Park has its core-1930s trails, and its outer-1980s perimeter trails; both provide a wonderful visitor experience.

A list of the volunteers who constructed the great John Dean Park loop trail, is at: Trail Builders, 1987-90.

East-Side

1987

Barret Montfort

South-Side

1988

Woodward

West-Side

1988

Merrill Harrop

North-Side

1989

Slektain

By Jarrett Teague

SAMUEL KELLY

THE FIRST OWNER OF: Section 1, Range 1 West, North Saanich

On August 15, 1883, Samuel Leon Kelly (age 61) attended a government land sale in Victoria. He was the highest bidder of catalogue Lot No. 18, officially known as: Section 1, Range 1 West, North Saanich. This one hundred acre section sold for $1.12½ per acre. Samuel paid a deposit of $38, and on August 24, he paid the balance of $74.50. Four months later, on January 21, 1884, the Honourable Clement Francis Cornwall, the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, signed the letters patent and affixed the Great Seal of British Columbia, which thereby enabled crown grant No. 133/22.

Kelly held the property as an investment for nine-and-a-half years (1883-1893). During this period he lived and worked in Victoria. There’s some evidence that Samuel had a few trees removed from the center valley in preparation for a future ranch. It’s my best guess that Kelly offered or asked the Thomson’s to remove the valuable old-growth Douglas fir trees during their 1884-92 pre-emption improvement process for the adjoining south sections.

On May 2, 1893, Kelly transferred the property to the British Columbia Land Investment Agency, to be sold at public auction. On October 2, 1895, Victoria pioneer John Dean bided $3.75 per acre, and became the next owner. Eighty percent of this land grant would in 1921, revert by donation to the crown; accepted in trust as a provincial park, known as Dean Park.

Samuel Leon Kelly, born 1822, was a native of Jonesboro, Tennessee. On March 16, 1848, during the Mexico-American War, he was shot in the knee at the battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales. But seemingly, that didn’t stop him from seeking the adventure of life. He moved to San Francisco, took-up the speciality of tin smith and participated in the cities growth. Kelly left San Francisco onboard the SS Commodore, and arrived in Victoria on May 11, 1858 (age 36). He was a bachelor, an experienced tin smith and was seeking wealth. That summer he headed for the Fraser Canyon to work the hills and bars in the search for gold. Stories suggest that for a while he made $40 per day, which helps to explain his return to Victoria where he lived as a man of leisure. He opened a successful hardware business (S.L. KELLY & Co – Sole Agents for the Backus Water Motor), and took an interest in the volunteer fire department where he was elected foremen of the Tiger Engine Company.

Other stories recount frequent secret visits to his old home in San Francisco. The nature of those trips remained mysterious until December of 1863, when Mrs. Mary Anne Kelly, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, stepped off the vessel Oregon, onto the docks at Victoria. The firemen of the Tiger Engine Company and numerous guests held a welcome party at the Johnson Street engine house. The party lasted for hours, and then formed a procession to the St. George Hotel where three cheers were given to Mary & Samuel…

Samuel Leon and Mary Anne lived at the corner of Douglas and Broughton in Victoria. They enjoyed the evening fire practices, and grand picnics along the Gorge waterway. These picnics were just as fancy as those in San Francisco; Kelly was there in the planning and presentation, as he promised it would be talked about for years.  He also organized the “Fireman’s Picnic” held each year in Cadboro Bay, and was typically the master of ceremonies. The picnics were attended by hundreds, and referred to as par excellent. More notably when James Douglas retired, the firemen serenaded, gave three cheers and gave an illuminated address at his residence in James Bay. Afterwards they attended the Mayor’s residence on Government Street and also gave three hearty cheers.

After 10 years as foremen, Samuel left active firefighting. He was presented a gold-headed cane for his faithful service, and was elected the president of the Board of Delegates of the fire department. Kelly then transitioned into spending time at home working on something that was so hush-hush, his wife didn’t know what was going on? Citizens and friends were only told that one day they would be surprised! After much interest, in 1881, Kelly the amateur inventor took the editor of the Colonist into his workshop. The editor was so impressed that his headline was: “Fish on Ice-salmon frozen and restored to animation by patented process.” This invoked a city wide curiosity and everyone called on Samuel to see the frozen salmon. He laboured towards its perfection, however nothing ever materialized and the idea faded away.

Kelly was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge in Victoria. He served as a city Alderman for two years (1889-90); and he continued serving the fire brigade. He was one of 20,000 persons who came to Victoria from San Francisco in 1858. It was the beginning of the gold excitement, and he is known as a ‘58er’. The ‘Roster of Fifty-Eighters’ in BC’ was published in the Victoria Daily Colonist, on January 20, 1908. Mary Anne passed away on September 18, 1907; and Samuel (age 87) passed away on July 26, 1909; both in Victoria. They had four children: two sons – Mr. S.B. Kelly and Mr. E.G. Kelly; and two daughters – Mrs. M.J. Cusack and Mrs. P. Myles.

VOLUNTEER ELDERS – 7 years plus

Friends Executive Service / Park Volunteer

These consistent and amazing volunteers – are the precious few – who have maintained the “Friends” and supported this provincial park since 1984.

Updated for end-2022

 

Name Period (years) Impression
Elizabeth Nyland 1984 – 1999 (15) Founder
Edo Nyland 1984 – 2017 (33) Founder, Builder, President & Advisor, and executive service
Jo Doman 1984 – 1999 (15) Founder & Membership
Mary Hampson 1984 – 2011 (27) Founder, Builder & Monitor
Dr. Cy Hampson 1984 – 1996 (12) Founder, Builder & President
Ivy Anderson 1986 – 1993 (7) Treasurer
Sally Stewart 1986 – 1996 (10) Treasure & Secretary
Neil Stewart 1986 – 1996 (10) Builder & Membership
Neil Michaluk 1986 – 1999 (15) Surveyor & Builder
Dr. Dieter Weichert 1986 – 1999 (15) Builder & President
Ted Greenwood 1986 – 1991 (5)

2010 (1)

 Builder & President

West Block Ivy Removal
Jarrett Teague CD

 

31 Aug 1988: joined the Friends

4 Aug 89, joined the executive

3 Nov 90, elected Secretary

6 Sep 91, accepted Presidency

 1989 – current (33)

 

Slektain Trail builder, 1989

 Builder, President, Historian/Author, Invasive Removals & BC Parks Volunteer Steward
Ken Arnott 1989 – 1998 (9) Treasurer
Pat Latham 1992 – 2006 (14) Director
Dee Bailin 1995 – 2013 (18) Director
Dr. Bryce Kendrick

Arrived June 1994

10 Oct 94: joined the Executive

17 Jan 95: elected Vice

8 Nov 95: elected President

3 Apr 08: elected President

 1994 – 2019 (25) President, Invasive Removals, executive service, and Nature Interpretive Guide
Gary Zilkie

08 Nov 95: elected director

19 Nov 95: first meeting

30 Oct 96: accepted 2nd Vice

19 Feb 97: accepted Treasure

 1995 – current (24) Vice President, Treasurer, and current executive service
Helene Dizy 1997 – 2013 (16) Secretary & Monitor
Tony Whittall CD

Arrived May 1995

 2000 – 2008 (8) President & Monitor
Margaret Reeve

Arrived April 1971

14 Apr 11: elected president

 2002 – 2019 (17) President, Monitor, and executive service
Andrew Mitchell

Arrived July 2002

 2007 – 2020 (13)

 

 BC Parks Volunteer

 
Maureen Dale

21 Sep 2011: joined the Executive

10 Apr 2013: elected Vice President

1 Jun 2013: accepted Presidency

 2011 – Current (11) Friends President & Monitor
Ron Jasper

Arrived Spring 2015

 2016 – Current (7) Friends Executive & Monitor

TRAIL BUILDERS, 1987-90

These amazing volunteers constructed the great John Dean Park loop trail. If I’ve accidently omitted/misspelled someone, please let me know; updated – summer 2019.

By February 8, 1988, the volunteer trail crew had become too large for one project. The main 31 person troop split into three teams. The Alec Road Crew was led by Ted Greenwood; with 11 regulars they worked from the road upwards. The Central Saanich Crew was led by Conroy Schultz; with 6 regulars they started the Woodward Trail, working from the West Viewpoint Trail eastward. The East Side Crew was led by Edo Nyland; with 14 regulars, they started the Woodward Trail as a continuation of the Montfort Trail working westward. By mid-April the Woodward Trail was opened; the upper crews started on the Alec Road trail and worked down/westward. Moral was high, and steady progress was happening weekly. Their chosen deadline for completion was May 20, 1988 – just in time for the first Friends Annual Picnic, Saturday, May 21st.

 

East-Side

1987

Barret Montfort

South-Side

1988

Woodward

West-Side

1988

Merrill Harrop

North-Side

1989

Slektain
Edo Nyland: “Barret Montfort Trail along the whole east border; it was hard work by a crew of about 10 or 12. Ivy Anderson was the coffee and doughnut supplier!” Edo Nyland: “Part of Woodward was easy – Sven Rasmussen put the trail through the flower meadow.” Edo Nyland: “Harrop Trail was quite difficult and very long.”

Greenwood’s: “While Merrill was, due to his advancing age, unable to actually do any work on the trail itself, he did ride up a few times to “inspect!”

 Edo Nyland: “Slektain Trail, the hardest work of all, on which some 30 people laboured, including two youth crews.”
Surveyed by Neil Michaluk and Edo Nyland, March 21, 1987.

 

Approved by BC Parks, September 21, 1987.

 

Neil Michaluk designed and built the wood staircases.

 Surveyed by Neil Michaluk and Edo Nyland, autumn 1987.

 

Approved by BC Parks, January 26, 1988.

 Surveyed by Ted & Gwen Greenwood, summer 1987; and completed by Edo Nyland, autumn 1987.

 

Approved by BC Parks, January 26, 1988.

 Surveyed by Neil Michaluk and Edo Nyland, August 1988.

 

Approved by BC Parks, March 10, 1989.
Charlie Goldie: Stone patios, settings & cedar bridges. Charlie Goldie: Stone patios & settings. Charlie Goldie: Stone settings. Charlie Goldie: Stone patios, settings & cedar bridges.
Conroy Schultz Conroy Schultz Conroy Schultz Jarrett Teague
Dieter Weichert Dieter Weichert Dieter Weichert Dieter Weichert
Jack & Bea Anderson Jack & Bea Anderson Jack & Bea Anderson Jack & Bea Anderson
Cy & Mary Hampson Cy & Mary Hampson Cy & Mary Hampson Cy & Mary Hampson
Neil & Sally Stewart Neil & Sally Stewart Neil & Sally Stewart Neil & Sally Stewart
Ken & Una Dobson Ken & Una Dobson Ken & Una Dobson Ken & Una Dobson
Ivy Anderson Ivy Anderson Ivy Anderson Ivy Anderson
Bernard Silvergieter Bernard Silvergieter Helmut Franke Helmut Franke
Horley Dylker Horley Dylker Horley Dylker Horley Dylker
Des Crossley Des Crossley Des Crossley Des Crossley
Susan Woods Larry Booth Brenda Greenwood John Dawson
Susan Woods & kids Jan Ruthven Jocelyn Greenwood Alfred Smith
Dietrich Schultz Dietrich Schultz Dietrich Schultz Ken Arnott
Terry Feesey Harold & Susan Rasmussen Harold & Susan Rasmussen Harold & Susan Rasmussen
Andrew Yeoman Sven & Kathy Rasmussen Sven & Kathy Rasmussen Sven & Kathy Rasmussen
Tim & Penny Hives: Tim carved the large “Pickles’ Bluff” sign, presented to Norman Pickles on May 21, 1988. Tim & Penny Hives: Tim carved two small “Woodward Trail 20min” signs. Tim & Penny Hives: Tim carved the “Merrill Harrop Trail 20min” sign, presented to Merrill on May 21, 1988.  
Stephen Hives Stephen Hives Stephen Hives  
Hugh Taylor Carron Bertulis Carron Bertulis  
Johanna Feesey Miles & Vicki Legault Miles & Vicki Legault  
Glen Fraser Glen Fraser Nick Swinburne  
Heather Osterhont Ian & Brenda May Ian & Brenda May  
Hans Fischer Trevor May Trevor May  
Tony Garnett Tony Garnett Tony Garnett  
Mike Curtis Mike Curtis Bill Jeshwell  
Jan Ruthven Roy & Jenny Hyndman Roy & Jenny Hyndman  
Allan Pettigrew Bill Jeshwell Larry Booth  
Harley Debkar Harley Debkar Harley Debkar  
Mel Hanson Jo Ihlen Jo Ihlen  
Kees Vermeer Kees Vermeer Kees Vermeer  
Barbara Abernethy Ron Gardner  Jo Doman  
Ted Lyons Ted Lyons  Lawrence Law  
Chuck & Muriel Ford Chuck & Muriel Ford    
Jack Erskine Hans Fischer    
Hugh Stanhope Hugh Stanhope    
Alan Philips    
  Dennis Fedoruk    
  Earl Davis    
  Luke Gysbers    
  Steve Germaniuk    
  Ron Gardner    
 
BC Parks – Regional Planner, South Coast Region: Jim Morris BC Parks – Regional Planner, South Coast Region: Jim Morris BC Parks – Regional Planner, South Coast Region: Jim Morris BC Parks – Regional Planner, South Coast Region: Jim Morris
BC Parks – District Manager, Malahat District: Don Carruthers BC Parks – District Manager, Malahat District: Don Carruthers BC Parks – A/District Manager, Malahat District: Robin Soule (started autumn 1988) BC Parks – A/District Manager, Malahat District: Robin Soule
BC Parks – Zone Supervisor, Gulf Island Zone, Malahat District: Bill Shaw BC Parks – Zone Supervisor, Gulf Island Zone, Malahat District: Bill Shaw BC Parks – A/Zone Supervisor, Gulf Island Zone, Malahat District: Derrick Auringer (started spring 1988) BC Parks – A/Zone Supervisor, Gulf Island Zone, Malahat District: Derrick Auringer
BC Parks – Visitor Services Coordinator: Catherine Mackin BC Parks – Volunteer Coordinator, Visitor Services: Ron Kerr BC Parks – Visitor Services Coordinator: Catherine Mackin BC Parks – Visitor Services Coordinator: Catherine Mackin
 
Environmental Youth Corps of BC w/supervisor, Jack Thom, guided by Edo Nyland.

 

Crew #2-A, Sep 1990, 2 weeks.

 BC Environmental Youth Corps of BC w/supervisor, Jack Thom, guided by Edo Nyland.

 

Crew #3, Oct 1990, 2 weeks.

 Environmental Youth Corps of BC w/supervisor, Jack Thom, guided by Edo Nyland.

 

Crew #4, Sep 2001, 1 week.

 Environmental Youth Corps of BC w/supervisor, Jack Thom, guided by Edo Nyland.

 

Crew #1, Aug-Sep 1989, 6 weeks. 

 

Crew #2-B, Sep-Oct 1990, 4 weeks.

By Jarrett Teague,

 

EARTH GRAVITY SITE – MOUNT NEWTON

The Earth Gravity Site on Mount Newton, in John Dean Provincial Park – was created in 1979. It’s one of 5,737 control stations that were systematically established across Canada in the 1970s. Ours is located inside the park, on the west side of Dean Park Road, 30′ NE of the upper over-flow parking lot, in a mossy meadow.

The Centre for Remote Sensing Geodetic Survey Division, located at the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Pat Bay – set a round brass plug into the bedrock. Written on the plug is National Gravity Net. Next to the plug are three additional blank brass plugs, forming a triangle. The purpose of making repeated and very accurate geodetic surveys is partly related to earthquake studies; and provides fundamental information for mapping, charting, navigation, boundary demarcation and crustal deformation.

All the information collected from the Canadian Gravity Standardization Net (CGSN), is based on the International Gravity Standardization Net (IGSN71). The data is considered accurate to tens of microgals, and is stored within the Canadian Gravity Database located in Ottawa, and is available to the international geoscience community. The database contains information from more than 400 projects, approx. 10,000 gravity control stations – 118,000 gravity network ties.

Primarily, this site permits field testing of gravimeters. These precise gravity surveys have been carried out on the west coast since 1977. Scientist through the use of these instruments, are seeking to monitor very subtle changes in: elevations, the density of the underlying rock, and the redistribution of subsurface mass brought about by the formation of cracks or the flow of water.

If you have a chance, I’d highly encourage you to also visit the sister site, within Gulf View Park, located at the base of Dean Park Road. Follow the new trail; below the hump of bedrock and above the old parking lot, look for the 1939 cement gazebo foundation. After a moment you’ll see the brass plug on top – and you’ll be surprised when your eye catches it – a highlight find…

FRIENDS OF JOHN DEAN PARK SOCIETY

Newsletters & Circulars – updated for autumn 2021

Anyone interested in the parks post-1980 history, will find the newsletters most fascinating. They contain a wealth of information – previous park issues, history and nature articles; they truly explore the fundamental accomplishments and mission of the Friends.

For public access, in 2009, the Friends donated their correspondence and newsletters to the Sidney Archives.

As part of preserving history and acquainting future volunteers with the issues, the John Dean Nature House & Archive maintains “the complete set” which is available at cost; contact Jarrett.

 

Number Year Month Page Count / Aspect
Map #1 1978 November BC Parks contour map, first used by Friends
Invite#1

 

 1984 October Friends of John Dean Park to Organize

By Edith Gardner
Invite#2

 

 1987 January My Dream for John Dean Park

By Edo Nyland
1 1987 February 9
2 1987 October 8
3 1988 February 9
Petition #1 1988 March Land addition, 66.9 acres, west slope
Brochure #1 1988 March Map and History, 8×14”, qty 300
Map #2 1988 April Friends, 8×10”, qty 200
Brochure #2 1988 April Membership form, 8×10”, qty 4,000
4 1988 April 9
Invite #3 1988 April Friends picnic #1, 21 May 88
5 1988 September 4
Map #3 1988 December BC Parks, 8×10” (non-public)
6 1989 January 4
7 1990 October 4 w/map #3
Invite #4 1991 October Gate Keeper’s: request for volunteers
8 (draft) 1991 July 4 (by Edo & Jarrett, submitted to Ted)
Map #4 1992 March Friends, 8×10”, qty 250
Invite #5 1992 October Friends: setting goals for the future w/map #4
8 1993 November 4
9 1994 May 4
Invite #6 1994 May Friends picnic #2, 25 Jun 94
10 1995 January 5
11 1995 October 6 w/map #4
Brochure #3 1996 February Membership form, 8×10”, qty 1,800
Map #5 1996 September BC Parks, 12×16” (9 in park), qty 300
12 1996 February 8
Petition #2 1996 March Opposed transfer – province to region
Map #6 1996 June Jarrett, 8×10”, qty 1,200
13 1996 July 8 w/ 75th anniversary book pamphlet
14 1996 October 8 w/map #6
Certificate 1996 October Thunderbird Order, 7 years’ service (elder)
Invite #7 1997 January “Old-growth Valley History Tour”

interpretive walk, 22 Feb 97
15 1997 February 10
16 1997 May 12
17 1997 October 6
18 1998 February 6
19 1998 October 4
20 1999 April 8 w/ book pamphlet, Life and Park History
21 1999 October 8
22 2000 March 4
23 2000 October 4
24 2001 February 5
25 2001 October 4
Map #7 2001 May BC Parks, contoured, 8×10” (11 in park)
26 2002 July 3 w/map #7
27 2002 September 4
28 2003 May 4
29 2003 October 2
30 2004 April 4
31 2004 September 2
32 2005 April 4
33 2005 October 4
34 2006 October 4
35 2007 January 2
36 2007 September 4
Brochure #4 2008 February Membership form, 8×10”, qty 200
37 2008 April 4
38 2008 May 1
39 2008 October 4
40 2009 March 3
41 2009 August 4
Brochure #5 2009 September Membership form, 8×10”, qty 3,600
42 2009 November 4
43 2010 March 7
44 2010 June 5
45 2010 October 5
46 2011 March 4 w/mushroom survey
47 2011 May 3
48 2011 November 5
49 2011 December 4
50 2012 March 2 w/map #7, colour, interest points, 11×17”
51 2012 May 4
52 2012 October 2
53 2013 January 2
54 2013 March 2
Brochure #6 2013 April Membership form, 8×10”, w/map 6, qty 500
Invite #8 2013 April “John Dean’s Cabin Site”

Interpretive sign unveiling, 11 May 13
55 2013 June 4
56 2013 July 1
Invite #9 2013 August “Flora & Fauna”

Interpretive walk, 17 Aug 13
57 2013 October 2 w/brochure #6
58 2013 December 2
59 2014 January 2
60 2014 March 4
61 2014 June 6
62 2014 September 6
Invite #10 2014 October “Foliage & Fungi”

Interpretive walk, 25 Oct 14
63 2015 January 4
64 2015 March 3
65 2015 May 6
Invite #11 2015 May “Celebrate Spring with Flowers”

Interpretive walk, 23 May 15
66 2015 October 6
Invite #12 2015 November “Fungi and Foliage”

Interpretive walk, 14 Nov 15
67 2016 January 6
68 2016 March 7
69 2016 May 6
Invite #13 2016 June “Celebrate Spring with Flowers”

Interpretive walk, 11 Jun 16
70 2016 October 6
Invite #14 2016  October  “Fungi and Foliage Hike”

Interpretive walk, 29 Oct 16
 71 2017  January  4
 72 2017  March  4
 Invite #15  2017  October “Common fungi and foliage”

Interpretive walk, 28 Oct 17
 74  2017  October  4
 75  2018  February  4
 76  2018 May  4
 Invite #16  2018  May  “Celebrate Spring with Flowers”

Interpretive walk, 26 May 18
77 2018 October 4
Invite #17 2018 October “Fungi and Foliage Hike”

Interpretive walk, 27 Oct 18
78 2019 January 5
79 2019 May 5
Invite #18 2019 May “Celebrate Spring with Flowers”

Interpretive walk, 8 Jun 19
80 2019 September 5
Invite #19 2019 October “Fungi and Foliage Hike”

Interpretive walk, 26 Oct 19
81 2020 January 5
82 2020 October 4
83 2021 January 4
84 2021 June 4
85 2021 September 4
86
87
88
89
“Celebrate Spring with Flowers”
“Fungi and Foliage Hike”

 

THE THOMSON CABIN, 1910-1974

Section 1, Range 1 West, South Saanich

After the 1858 First Survey of the Saanich Peninsula, William and Margaret Thomson received three crown grants which all told, stretched from the summit of Mount Newton, south into their preexisting valley farm. Over the next century, five generations of the Thomson family would spend their relaxation time enjoying the upper slopes, and earned their incomes by farming the valley and by selective logging.

Crown Grant # 1, January 22, 1883 (320 acres)
Section 4, 5, and 6, Range 1 West, and Section 5, Range 3 West, SS

Crown Grant # 2, December 18, 1884 (166 acres)
Section 1, Range 2 West; and the west 66 acres of Section 1, Range 1 West, SS

Crown Grant # 3, March 7, 1892 (234 acres)
The east 34 acres of Section 1; and Section 2 and 3, Range 1 West, SS

I George Thomson of South Saanich in the Province of British Columbia, swear and make oath and say as follows: That I am the owner of the east 34 acres of Section 1, Range 1 West and Section 2 and 3, Range 1 West, South Saanich District. That I preempted same lands on the 9th April 1861, and have been in continuous occupation thereof to the present time. That the number of the record of same to me best of my recollection and belief was 28. That I paid the first installment of the purchase money for said lands on the 17th November 1862. That the preemption record above named as also the receipt for said purchase money I have been lost or misplaced. That I have made diligent search for the same and have failed to find them and believe them to be destroyed. That I have never by postulated or given the same to any person, as secondly for any advance of money the same never having been incumbent. And I make solemn statement on oath.

Sworn before me at Victoria
This 7th day of March 1892, Jno. Austin – Mary Amber

William Thomson

Certificate of Purchase, February 27, 1892
Deposit – November 17, 1862, $60.76
Balance paid – February 27, 1892, $173.24

Certificate of Improvement, March 7, 1892

William Thomson’s long-range plan was to keep the lower sections 4 to 6 for the family farm. He subdivided sections 1 to 3 into six separate properties that ran north-south spanning the three sections. He transferred these properties to his sons with the idea that they would live and work the lower portion, and have the mountainside for grazing and cord wood. The long narrow properties were assigned from east to west to: John, George, Alec, Robert, Richard, and Dick.

During the summer of 1910, two sons, John and Richard built a 15×18’ log cabin near the upper northeast corner of their property. They likely choose this site because it was the highest and flattest setting, with a nearby water supply. As well, it had majestic views; clear lines of sight from the south end of James Island, around Victoria, across to the Olympics and west into the Highlands; all available thanks to a forest fire that opened the area in 1900. Family and friends used the cabin as a hunting base, for recreation and daytime picnics. In-essence, the cabin was one room, with two windows and a wood stove. Everyone in the family visited John Dean and they shared a friendship – a superb pioneer style of support and familiarity.

In September of 1943 during WWII, John Thomson was asked by the federal government to sign over his upper northeast corner, 200×200’, for the purpose of installing a receiver for the airfield at Patricia Bay. Today this compound houses the airport radar tower for the federal Ministry of Transport (MOT).

In November of 1945, Charles, John and Walter Thomson sold the majority of their valley farm, and other subdivided properties. Luckily, in 1959, the new owners, Elmswood Ltd. (the company that owned Woodward’s Department Store) donated the uppermost 80 acres to John Dean Provincial Park.

Surprisingly, the Park’s Branch didn’t know about the cabin. If rangers did, they let it be, as it was one of those special places – for couples to spend the night. The Thomson Cabin stood until June 1974, when, for public safety, BC Parks literally pushed the structure over; thereby ending the 64-year Thomson Cabin Era. Today a large flat stone marks the cabins entrance; unbelievably, a few boards and cedar shingles remain.

In 1987, a proper trail was installed though this untouched area, and was dedicated as the Woodward Trail. The Thomson Cabin Trail commences at the MOT fence, and traverses southwest down Icicle Ridge to the Thomson Pond, past the cabin site, through beautiful flower meadows ending at Triangle Junction (Woodward, Surveyors’). From the cabin site, the Fern Dell Footpath follows the contour to Pickles’ Bluff. – Please be reassured, the entire area is garbage free!

The Thomson family owned this property for 87 years (1858-1945). They were the first pioneers, friends of John Dean, and contributed greatly to the economic growth of the Mount Newton Valley and Saanichton area!

POST No. 1 OF SURVEY OF NORTH AND SOUTH SAANICH DISTRICTS

There’s an amazing place, a secret, at the summit of John Dean Provincial Park – that’s worth a visit. From the parking lot, follow the gravel road upwards, past the swooping Coast Guard radar tower, to the fence of the Transport Canada (airports) radar facility. From the gate, turn right and walk along the fence upwards to the corner, and 20 feet away on the right (east) you’ll find: the First Survey Mount. You’ll see the 1958 centennial plaque, and look just behind it, and you’ll find a round brass plug.

The year was 1852 – and for the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), Surveyor General, Joseph Pemberton was roughly surveying the coastline of the Saanich Peninsula. That March, Pemberton unknowingly renamed Lauwelnew, giving it the name Mount Newton, which first appears on Pemberton’s 1852 map produced for the HBC.

Six years later, the HBC had the need to properly survey the Saanich Peninsula, which would permit settlers to own their land, and would in turn encourage investors. Pemberton contracted John Trutch to survey and map the ranges; to mark the allotment lines required throughout North and South Saanich, and to divide the whole into 100 acre sections. The survey was to be completed in the Decimal System of Allotment, and was to be completed by January 1st, 1859; for which Trutch received $15 per lineal mile.

In order to survey the lands between today’s BC Ferries and Elk Lake, Trutch established a commencement station at the summit of Mount Newton. He chose the highest, flattest, most central point, to where he wrote in his field notes: “Commencing at Station Tree, on the summit of Mount Newton, at foot of which set a post for corner to sections: 1 North, Ranges 1 East to West; and 1 South, Ranges 1 East to West + marked same… Raised a pile of stones around the post.”

By cutting a line east-west, Trutch divided the peninsula into north and south, which today is the boundary between North and Central Saanich. The sections were numbered outward from Post No. 1, north and southward; and the ranges numbered outward from Post No 1, east and westward.

Today, standing at Post No. 1, you can hold out your arms, forming a 90 degree quarter of a pie: a) facing northwest is the original 100 acre Dean Park; b) northeast is the Barret Montfort, 160 acre addition; c) southeast is the Sydney Pickles, 19 acre addition; and d) southwest is the Ruth Woodward, 80 acre addition.

To spend a few minutes looking in all directions; then to reflect and understand how the four major park donations all commenced from this survey point, and that all the properties on the peninsula are referenced from this survey – is rewarding.

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