Indulgence at Ladysmith

 



Transiting Dodd Narrows south of Nanaimo

Today we departed Nanaimo and transited Dodd Narrows an hour before slack, the current was running at 3 knots.  We arrived early to avoid the onslaught of boats that would be transiting the Narrows at slack during this busy summer.  Passing through with only one other boat, we continued our journey to Ladysmith on Vancouver Island.  

Older buildings in downtown Ladysmith

Ladysmith, originally called Oyster Harbour, is located on the 49^th parallel, from which the town’s popular market chose its name, the 49^th Parallel Grocery, a local favorite.  Ladysmith was founded around 1898 by James Dunsmuir who owned the coal mines in Nanaimo, he created the town to house the families of his miners and renamed the harbour Ladysmith before the town was incorporated in 1904.  Later facing competition from oil, coal production began to decline.  In 1931 during the height of the Great Depression, the mines were closed. 

Shopping in downtown Ladysmith

New opportunities arose in 1935 when the Comox Logging and Railway Company purchased a tract of forest west of Ladysmith and the town began a path to recovery.  By the late 1940’s, Ladysmith was the center of major logging operations.  Logging and lumber milling is still ongoing at Ladysmith.  

Logging equipment found throughout downtown Ladysmith

Some early logging equipment, now painted with bright colors, can be seen on the street corners of town.  Maritime history also played a role in Ladysmith, and boaters today have several options for moorage:  the Ladysmith Community Marina, the Ladysmith Fisherman’s Wharf, Ladysmith Marina, and Page Point Marina.  

The Docks were filled at Ladysmith Community Marina

The attractive office and café at Ladysmith Community Marina

The Ladysmith Community Marina is the first set of docks inside the harbour and is the closest to town.  The beautiful office building with a lounge and café is a delight and the small Maritime Society museum at the docks is worth a visit.  Just upland from the docks is the Harbour Heritage Centre which is currently undergoing renovation.  

Bouma Meat Shop, Ladysmith

 The town has cute shops, cafes, and historic buildings.  Like most boaters, we stopped at the Bouma Meat market and the Old Town Bakery, a special indulgence that's hard to resist; the shops were full with tourists and locals alike, trying hard to decide from which specialty item to choose. 

A difficult choice at the Old Town Bakery