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1897 to 1920

1897 to 1920: Captain John A. Cates and Terminal Farm

In 1897 Captain Cates in his little ship The Swan, brought the first picnickers from the mainland to Snug Cove. By 1917 900 acres of land is and around Snug Cove became a thriving Resort.

Captain Cates created a 40 acre farm near his hotel. Barns – stables – dairy – greenhouses – silos. An exceptional purebred herd of Holsteins, thoroughbred horses, cows, sheep, goats and ducks. 300 fruit trees were also planted.

A dam was build near Bridal Falls for a hydro-electric generator and 500 feet of water pipes were installed throughout the estate. Small cottages and a picnic area continued to be built.

A 177 ft paddle steamer R. P. Rithet, the Baramba, the Bowena and the Ballena were added to Cates fleet to meet the ever increasing demand.

Black and white photo of old bridge across a lagoon with people walking on it
First Bridge Across The Lagoon - Originally the lagoon was a creek. Captain Cates built a little bridge across the creek where the Causeway is today. Captain Cates need to access the area around the hotel that was being developed.
Black and whit photo of people at a camp site
Camping late 1800's
Black and white picture of old store with name Davies & Co. Groceries & Provisions
Davis & Co. Groceries & Provisions - Fruits - Cigars - Soft Drinks.
Black and white photo of old steamship docking
S.S. Rothesay at Mannion's brickyard, Deep Cove, Bowen Island, circa 1899
Black and white picture of old picnic grounds in a wooded area
Picnic Grounds on Bowen
Black and white photo of wharf with people standing on it
Union Steamship Wharf
Black and white photo of old steamship about to dock on pier with two walkways
Two walk-ways were added to the landing wharf. One led to the main road, near where the ferry car ramp is today, and a ramp that came across to our location where the restaurants were located. The path beside the restaurant led to Sandy Beach and the picnic tables.
Black and white photo of old steamship with name Britannia
Britannia circa 1902
Old steamship docking
Winter Docking
Black and white photo of old steamship docked
Lady Alex docked at the marina.
This is the view towards where the Marina and Pier are now
Black and white photo of men and women running in a field
A flat grassy area was created beside Sandy Beach for fun activities. The most popular activities were Races, Tug-Of-War and Horseshoes. Covered picnic tables overlooked the playground. (Near Cardena Dr. today)
Black and white photo of old hotel
World War I was over and people wanted more than a tent to sleep in, so Captain Cates renovated his family home and created Bowen's first hotel. Rates were $14.00 per week or $2.50 per night. Soon many small cabins were built throughout the Resort.
Black and white photo of people on an old dock
Arrival of the ships caused great excitement. Mail, groceries and varied goods were arriving but most of all, the daddy's were coming home.
Black and white picture of field with people playing in it
A new era of company picnics became popular. Employees and their families were brought to the Island for a fun day. Food was provided and prizes for the actives were given out from the new building. A path was made (front of this picture) that linked Snug Cove, the playground and the bridge over the lagoon. Cardena Dr. & Union Rd. today.
Black and white photo of sandy beach and lagoon
Sandy Beach was a fun place for families. Every year the water slide and dock were brought out on the 24th of May. After a race or tug-of-war a swim was most welcome. The Vancouver Sun Newspaper sponsored swimming lessons during the summer months. A bridge across Deep Bay was built to access the hotel area. Shown here in the background, was build in 1920 but a storm in 1921 destroyed half of it.
Black and white photo of cove with logs in the water and a steamship in the background
To meet the ever increasing demand for summer excursions, Cates added ships to his fleet. A 177 ft long paddle steamer - 'R.P. Rithet', the Belcarra, renamed the Barambar; the Bowena and the Ballena. Bowen became so popular that by Dominion Day 1914, 3 ships left Bowen for Vancouver in 1 hour.
Black and white photo of wooden walkway to hotel entrance
This is at the end of the new walk-way. The Gateway to the restaurant, hotel, beaches and camp grounds. (Our house is located there today. The green house above the cinder block wall).
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