Lund history

Lund is a quiet village about 17 miles north of Powell River and the physical ending (or, as argued by locals, the "starting" point) of Highway 101, which stretches to Chile, South America. The Historic Lund Hotel symbolizes the heart of Lund, and to marine traffic, it is the symbolic gateway to beautiful Desolation Sound Marine Park.

The area that is now Lund has been known to the Coast Salish peoples for thousands of years and was a village site of the Sliammon people. The village of Klah ah men was home to dozens of families and a desirable location as it was accessible by land and sea, so approaching visitors could be detected from afar.

Further, both Ayhus (Savary Island) and Tohk natch (Okeover Inlet), plentiful in shellfish, salmon and land mammals, were only short paddles away. Freshwater was ample as were Cedar trees, the main material source in the production of tools, shelter, clothing and more. Ceremonies, both spiritual and social in nature, were held at Klah ah men, and included dance, song and recreational games that were a major part of Coast Salish culture.

In 1889 Fred and Charlie Thulin arrived from Sweden, looking for a better life in the new "land of opportunity." The brothers first set eyes upon the area that would later become Lund while sailing by on the side-wheeler tugboat Mermaid on their way to find employment logging in Pendrell Sound. Shortly thereafter, Fred and Charlie settled in the area they named Lund, after the University town of the same name in their native Sweden, immediately building a wharf, logging the bay, piping in water and converting suitable land on the settlement to farmland.

In 1892 a post office was established, one of only two north of Vancouver at the time. A general store was constructed and shortly thereafter the first passenger and mail boat began making regular stops at Lund, tying it to the world. By 1895 the brothers had built Lund’s first hotel, which held both the first hotel license and the first liquor license to be issued north of Vancouver. A bottle of the best scotch was available for $1.50 and the basement of the hotel housed a jail cell, primarily used to “accommodate” any drunken rowdies patronizing the hotel. By 1905 the Thulins had purchased the first donkey engine seen up the coast, built their first steamboat "City of Lund" and expanded their chain of stores to Sliammon Village and to where the present-day town site is. As coastal traffic continued to increase, in 1905 the Thulins began construction of a second hotel, The Malaspina, which in 1918 was renamed the Lund Hotel after the original building was destroyed by fire.

In November 1999 the Sliammon First Nation and a local businessman purchased the property and commenced extensive renovations, reopening the doors in the spring of 2000. Although further improvements and expansion are planned, the hotel currently boasts 27 well-appointed guest rooms and the new pub and restaurant, featuring unobscured ocean views, as well as tasty fare. During the warmer months, guests may dine on the spacious waterfront decks, savouring the ocean breeze and the bustling activity of Lund Harbour. Historic photos grace the walls of the entire hotel, telling the story of the hotel and Lund as only those immortalized by the camera could truly tell it.

Area Data

Desolation Sound Provincial Marine Park
Just around the corner (8,256 hectares) is British Columbia’s largest marine park. It includes more than 60 km of shoreline, several offshore islands and a gradually rising upland that contains a number of lakes, waterways, and waterfalls. Unwin Lake, a 173-hectare body of fresh water, is the park's largest lake. Set back to the north and east, Coast Mountains soar to more than 2,400 meters. The warm waters surrounding the area teem with sea life. Ideal for swimming, scuba diving and feasting on your catch of the day: salmon, cod, prawns, crab, clams, and oysters. Plenty of other tasty morsels lie beneath on the ocean floor. To acquire them, you must put on your scuba gear and get a little wet

Lakes
Enjoy easy road access to the many lakes and rivers. The area boasts more than 50 freshwater lakes surrounded by thousands of hectares of pristine coastal forests. Inland Lake is known for its level, 14 km trail which can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. You may prefer a day of paddling the calm, clear waters of a peaceful lake, or you can take on the challenge of a 35 mile (57 kilometer) canoe route which includes 8 lakes and 5 portages. Dinner is fresh and never far away, as the region's lakes teem with trout and, at certain times of the year, steelhead salmon!

Hike, Bike and Climb
The Sunshine Coast's thousands of hectares of untouched forest and coastal mountains make for unbeatable mountain biking, hiking and rock climbing. Thousands of kilometers of off-road access and trail networks facilitate easy day trips to scenic viewpoints, lakes, rivers, streams, and surrounding mountains.

The 106 miles (170 kilometers) Sunshine Coast Trail accommodates everyone from day hikers to ultra-marathoners. Easy to get to with more than twenty access points along the way, hikers are rewarded with abundant wildlife, gorgeous lookout points and stunning westerly views of the Strait of Georgia and its emerald islands. The trail is extremely well maintained and hikers can take advantage of camping facilities and lodging located along the route.

During the spring and summer months, take advantage of guided hikes or let the local hiking club introduce you to some of the region’s most popular wilderness trails. Maps and detailed information regarding hiking routes and activities are available 20 minutes away at the Powell River Visitor Centre. There are numerous biking routes well suited to beginner, intermediate and advanced off-road riders.

Dive Destination
Known internationally as the "Dive Capital of Canada," the Upper Sunshine Coast was rated by Rodales Dive Magazine as the "#1 Best Overall Dive Destination in the World" for 2006. A predator-free dive habitat, the coastal waters boast a visibility range of up to 30 metres (98 feet). Especially clear waters during the winter months make for excellent viewing of the area’s wolf eel and giant octopus. One of the area’s leading diving attractions is located in the waters in front of Saltery Bay Provincial Park. The Emerald Princess, a 2.5 meter (8 foot) bronze statue of a mermaid located in 18 meters (59 feet) of water, attracts dive enthusiasts from around the world. Other dive sites include several wrecks, the Okeover Caves and numerous coastal boat dives which highlight the diverse and colorful underwater world of the BC coast.

Powell River is a gateway to many destinations in the surrounding area, including Texada Island, Desolation Sound and Savary Island.

Fishing
The Sunshine Coast is truly a fishing mecca. Fish for cod or salmon right out of your front door. Whether you are reeling in a salmon or jigging for cod, fly fishing for cutthroat, rainbow trout and steelhead salmon, or trolling for kokanee in one of the region’s spectacular lakes, you will not be disappointed. Prawns, crab, clams, mussels and oysters are also abundant in the area.