Chemainus
by Melissa MacDougall
Chemainus, dubbed the 'Little Town that Did' for its resourceful turnaround under tough economic hardship, has become a favourite among seaside Vancouver Island communities to visit and stands as the mid-point between the better known cities of Victoria and Nanaimo. Once thriving under the heartbeat of forestry, the early 1980’s proved to be a difficult time for the slowing industry, and in the end, the doors to the largest covered-in sawmill in North America closed.
With a flailing primary industry, Chemainus pulled together and in reflecting on its rich history, it created a source of tourism and artistry that has some 400,000 visitors flocking to its streets to partake in its pastoral setting year after year.
Known for its quaint General Store-type business fronts and picturesque homage to historical industry and cultural diversity, visitors leave Chemainus acutely aware of the true Cowichan Valley identity – the generations of the First Nations people and the adversity industrialists have faced throughout the ages.
At first glance, Chemainus may not seem all too appealing. In fact, for those who aren’t in the know, it’s easy to by-pass this gem of a town. To do so, however, would be a shame. In taking the winding road off the Trans Canada Highway, travelers are transported to an idyllic setting and once in the township of Chemainus, the true beauty is revealed.
Along the walls, throughout the town, beautiful, detailed murals are painted, illustrating events and depicting an era that none of us have experienced, leading visitors along a path of history. Self-guided tours provide the ultimate means to fall back in time, and the yellow footprints along sidewalks and roadways, prove that we can walk a day in someone else’s shoes.
The more than three dozen murals and 13 sculptures commissioned by artists from around the globe tell real stories of life long ago, and in walking from wall to wall, visitors view the use of cattle in logging, totem pole carvings and the face of Billy Thomas, a treasured Cowichan Valley citizen.
Serving as the world’s largest outdoor art gallery, Chemainus is inspiring in its redirection of industry, for revitalizing the economy based on pride of its deep ties to forestry and for implementing a certain rustic charm presented in the most tasteful of manners. While abundantly wealthy in area-specific history, Chemainus promises an exciting afternoon for all ages.