A public hearing regarding the Halfmoon Bay official community plan is scheduled for
Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. at Coopers Green Hall.
The membership drive for the Welcome Beach Community Association continues.
This association works for the social wellbeing and community improvements in the community. Membership is free, and you can sign up at the Halfmoon Bay Café, or contact me at [email protected].
Halfmoon Bay history this week is a little bit about Coopers Green Park.
Natives of the Coast Salish Nation - specifically the shishalh tribe, from which the Town of Sechelt took its name, originally occupied the Halfmoon Bay area.
Archaeological studies have recorded 38 recognized sites containing shell middens, rock shelters and stonefish traps, that are now protected by the provincial Heritage Conservation Branch.
European exploration of the area began in the late 1700s by the Spanish (Captain Galiano and Captain Valdes) and the British (Captain Vancouver). ?
First settled by pioneer William Rawding around 1891, he purchased land from the crown in August 1892. Rawding eventually sold this property to Hubert Kitchin and two of Kitchin's relatives, Basil George Wolfe-Merton and Cyril Milner. Together they formed a partnership called the Redrooffs Trading Company,
The formation in 1909 of the Redrooffs Resort was headquartered at the site of what is now Coopers Green Park. It was one of the first summer vacation resorts on the Sunshine Coast and played an important early role in turning the Coast into a popular tourist destination.
Six log homes, and six log cabins were constructed, as well as a community building, a wharf and the Redrooffs General Store.
The name Redrooffs came from the colour of the roofs of these homes and cabins dotting the shoreline. The red roofs were an important guiding landmark for the steam ships along the Coast.
Thanks to Gary Little for providing these details.
Do you have a favourite place or community group in Halfmoon Bay? Let me know via email [email protected], or call 604-885-5034.
