Chemainus, British Columbia
| Chemainus | |
|---|---|
| Community | |
 Location of Chemainus in British Columbia |
|
| Coordinates: 48°55′N 123°42′W / 48.917°N 123.700°WCoordinates: 48°55′N 123°42′W / 48.917°N 123.700°W | |
| Country |
 Canada
|
| Province |
 British Columbia
|
| Region | Vancouver Island |
| Regional district | Cowichan Valley Regional District |
| Municipality | North Cowichan |
| Demonym | Chemainiac |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.02 km2 (1.55 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 3,035 |
| • Density | 755.1/km2 (1,956/sq mi) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| Highways | 1 |
| Waterway | Stewart Channel |
| Website | www |
Chemainus /ʃʌˈmeɪnəs/ is a community located in the Chemainus River Valley on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Founded as an unincorporated logging town in 1858, the Chemainus is now famous for its 39 outdoor murals. This outdoor gallery has given birth to many businesses, including a theatre, antiques dealers, and eateries. The tourist industry stemming from the murals helped rejuvenate the town after its large sawmill closed in the early 1980s and was replaced by a smaller but far more efficient mill.
The name "Chemainus" comes from the native shaman and prophet "Tsa-meeun-is" (Broken Chest). Legend says that the man survived a massive wound in his chest to become a powerful chief. His people took his name to identify their community, the Stz'uminus First Nation, formerly the Chemainus Indian Band.
The railroad arrived in the 1880s and by the early 1920s the town's population had ballooned to 600 persons. Chemainus was eventually designated a census populated area by Statistics Canada comprising the more built-up residential and commercial neighbourhoods. Its population had further grown to 3035 residents by 2011. A larger more inclusive Chemainus area is customarily regarded as comprising part of the District of North Cowichan that lies north of the Chemainus River. This is the area covered by the Chemainus Advisory Committee set up as a consultation body by North Cowichan.
Chemainus Secondary School is located in the town, and serves as a secondary school for students living in Chemainus, Crofton, and Saltair.
A BC Ferry terminal is located in Chemainus, which provides service to Thetis Island and Penelakut Island (previously Kuper).
...
Wikipedia