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1920 to 1957

1920 to 1957: Union Steamship Company

Union Steamships Company fleet of ships coming to Bowen Island

  • Lady Alexandra
  • Lady Rose
  • Lady Cynthia
  • Lady Celia
  • Lady Evelyn
  • Cheam
  • Cardena
  • Venture

From 1920 to 1954 The Resort continues to expand.

  • A Turdor-style general store on the main street with a post office
  • A police station
  • A first-aid station
  • Six new picnic areas in and around the Snug Cove area
  • Roofed picnic tables by Sandy Beach
  • A shell (stage) for outdoor concerts, vaudeville shows and amateur nights on the grassy area beside Sandy Beach
  • A large water slide at Sandy Beach and rental rowboats
  • Two building for employee accommodation near the hotel
  • An expanded restaurant with employee accommodation upstairs
  • A baseball field near the lagoon
  • A building with a wringer washer, dryer and a shower

In 1946 101,000 people visited this world renowned resort.

Black and white picture of Snug Cove, Bowen Island from the air
Snug Cove from the air
Black and white photo of old building with Bowen Store sign
A new general store/post office was built to service the resort and the Islanders. Note the gas pump in front. This store provided employment for many Islanders over the years. Now this is the Library. When the resort closed, Ralph Hold move the gas pump to the west side of the building and operated a gas station there for many years. Ralph married Helen and together they opened the BowMart (where Old Orchard Grill is today).
Black and white picture of old hotel with people sitting on lawn
A crown jewel in Howe Sound. An elegant, luxurious tourist accommodation surrounded by manicured lawns, colorful flower beds and a monkey tree that was listed in Guinness World Records. Inside - elegance was everywhere. In the dining room, guests were served on fine china, silverware and linen tablecloths. The rooms were furnished with fine wooden furniture and lace curtains. Beds were made with freshly ironed white linen daily.
Black and white photo of old hotel
Mount Strachan Lodge - A crown jewel in Howe Sound. An elegant, luxurious tourist accommodation surrounded by manicured lawns, colourful flower beds and a monkey tree that was listed in Guinness World Records.
Inside - elegance was everywhere. In the dining room, guests were served on fine china, silverware and linen tablecloths. The rooms were furnished with fine wooden furniture and lace curtains. Beds were made with freshly ironed white linen daily.
Black and white photo of hotel with swimming pool
Mt Strachan Lodge was renovated in the 1950's to become the Evergreen Park Resort.
Photo of walkway to an estate on Bowen Island
Bowen Park Estates - This classic photo was taken where the Bowen Island Marina & The Pier are today.
Two women waiting for steamship to dock
Waiting For The Boat
Photo of old steamship about to dock
Summer Of 1946
The now complete 1,215 acre, self-contained Union Steamship Company Resort attracted ever-increasing numbers of tourist to Bowen Island. In 1931 57,000 were recorded travelling to the island and in 1942 a record breaking season of 81,000 were recorded. BUT, in 1946 between the Union Steamship Company, the Sannie boats and the Howe Sound Ferry, a record breaking 101,000 people traveled to 'The Happy Isle'.
Black and white photo of man diving off old ship
Percy Dodson diving from bridge of SS Lady Cecilia at Bowen Island - 1925
Aerial View of Snug Cove and Deep Bay
Aerial View of Snug Cove and Deep Bay
Black and white photo of cottage with people standing on the deck
6 deluxe cottages and 28 sleeping cottages were built in rows beside Mt Stachan Lodge. Fruit trees were planted between the rows. In 1928, 20 cottages were built in Snug Cove. Fruit trees were planted around the cottages creating an area now known as 'The Orchard'. 118 Cottages were added around the lagoon and on Snug Point. In all 172 white cottages dotted the landscape.
Black and white photo of men playing tennis
A popular hard surface tennis court.
Garden with building in the background
This lovely path, just above the beach, from the tennis court, the lawn bowling, golf putting green and ended at the hotel. Benches were placed along the way so you could sit and enjoy the view and smell the roses.
Old bridge crossing a lagoon
Bridal Falls - By the Lagoon
Black and white photo of people lawn bowling
Appropriate dress required for lawn bowling.
Black and white photo of people dancing
Dancing the night away! Harry Pryce & his Merry Mariners with Old Olson as the featured vocalist, serenaded the dance crowd from Vancouver to Bowen Island. The Booze Cruises, as they were affectionately called, left Vancouver in the early evening and returned later the same night often leaving a few passengers behind. No liquor was allowed inside the dance hall so it was stashed outside, much to the delight of the ever ready Islander teenager.
Black and white photo of small dam forming a lagoon
A new dam was built across the stream forming the Lagoon. A lovely walk from the Cove to the hotel area.
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