History of Texada Island

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Meet Author Heather Harbord

Dec. 5, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Nanaimo Harbourfront Library

Texada is the largest island in the Strait of Georgia, a long strip of coveted mineralized granite and limestone dividing the upper gulf. While Texada is now better known as the home of the illegal agriculture product called Texada Gold, it was once the focus of a real gold rush that lured cookie-tycoon William Christie. The island was the site of British Columbia’s first major political scandal when squabbles over a lucrative iron ore claim forced the resignation of Premier Amor de Cosmos in February 1874. The rich mineral deposits in time gave rise to three booming towns—Gillies Bay, Blubber Bay and Van Anda. Over the years the population flowed with the mineral prices as Texada was in and out of the news.

Author Heather Harbord’s dedicated research includes over a hundred interviews with locals and old-timers, creating a captivating book full of unforgettable characters, humorous anecdotes and many previously unpublished photographs. A following-up to Heather’s BC bestseller Desolation Sound: A History, Texada Tapestry is another valuable volume on the history of the BC coast.