Brief Histories & Indian Arm

Former Belcarra Mayor and historian, Ralph Drew has compiled some Brief Histories of Indian Arm. You can find them under the Brief Histories tab at the top of this page.

Indian Arm stretches approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Burrard Inlet and is part of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s traditional territory. Flanked on the east side by Belcarra and the west by the District of North Vancouver. Further north, beyond Silver Falls, it becomes wilderness crown land. The historical Wigwam Inn sits at the north end of the Arm; the building now owned by the Vancouver Yacht Club is used as an outpost for its members.

The Deep Cove Heritage Society’s collections encompass 18-communities — from Maplewood and Mount Seymour, to Deep Cove as well as all of the communities along the west shore of Indian Arm. The east shore, Belcarra, is the home of historian and mayor, Ralph Drew. He is the author of three very comprehensive, award winning books. These are of great interest to us of course, since we share the history of Indian Arm. Information about these books can be found under the Other Local Interest Books tab at top of this page.

Mayor Drew has given us permission to put his Brief Histories on our website (see tab at top of this page) for you to enjoy. We thank him for his generosity.

Echoes Across Seymour film

South Chair Media has created a wonderful film and we want to share it with you. It’s website states: “For forty years Alex Douglas has lived atop Mount Seymour. An explorer, an educator and an avid outdoorsman, Alex has made a home for himself in one of the last remaining cabins on the mountain. When the resort opened in 1938 local skiers began building cabins to stay in during the winter season. At its peak there were more than 300 cabins on the mountain while today only ten are still standing. Alex’s passion for preserving the history of the mountain permeates every aspect of his life. He spends his days educating the public and exploring the hills for remnants of the forgotten cabins that once dominated the landscape. With a watchful eye and a curious mind, ‘Uncle Al’ has discovered dozens of abandoned cabin sites and put together an impressive collection of artifacts found on his adventures. As he reflects on his life, Alex hopes to inspire a new generation to explore and appreciate the mountain he calls home.”

You are invited to view the film here: Echoes Across Seymour film

Produced By: Geoff Hewat, Gordie Rogers, James Ryan, South Chair Media

Directed By: Gordie Rogers, James Ryan

Cinematography: Geoff Hewat, Gordie Rogers

Uncle Al’s Cabin Tours of Mount Seymour

Did you know 70 years ago Mt Seymour had a bustling, skiing, hiking, “build it yourself”, shin-digging cabin community of over 200 log cabins!

Come join Alex Douglas (aka Uncle Al), Mt Seymour History Project Archivist, 40 year Mt Seymour Employee, cabin resident and all around mountain man for a hike back in time. Search the forest for cabin sites and remnants, find some that are still standing, and hear amazing stories of fun and ingenuity on the mountain. Photo DCHS #1880 – Donna Leighton’s family’s first Cabin on First Lake, late 1930s.

For more information: Mount Seymour History Project.

Following are some items of interest you can do on your computer without leaving home.

Logging Burrard Inlet – 1955

This is an interesting youtube video published by Edward Homer – Logging Burrard Inlet – 1955

We have had a request for information on previous logging operations at Berg’s Landing/Clementine Creek area on Indian Arm. Let us know if you have any information or suggestions on who we might contact. Email to deepcoveheritage@gmail.com

Photo at left is DCHS #0059 showing a log boom in Deep Cove in the early 1900s. Photo courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. John Moore (click on photo to enlarge).

Blair Rifle Range

Donna Sacuto unveiled the plaque that has been installed on Mount Seymour Parkway to recognize the history of the Blair Rifle Range.

The plaque is the result of a research paper that Donna wrote. You can read the paper by clicking here.

Book and the Ferries of Indian Arm video

Our friend and neighbour, Mayor Ralph Drew of Belcarra, has written four impressive books – Forest & Fjord: The History of Belcarra (pub. 2013, 536 pages) and Ferries & Fjord: The History of Indian Arm, its Ferries & Docks, Travelling Post Offices & Floating Grocery Stores (pub 2015, 372 pages), Townsite Tales: The History of Ioco, Anmore Valley & North Shore of Port Moody Arm (pub 2017, 348 pages), and Coquitlam Chronicles: Historical Crossroads on the Fraser River (pub 2018, 370 pages). These books are available from the author as well as from our office.

Mayor Drew was the guest speaker at a Deep Cove Heritage meeting and, as well, was a commentator on our tours up Indian Arm last year and he will be onboard with us again this year.

He recently gave a talk to the Vancouver Historical Society and we thank the Society and Mayor Ralph Drew for allowing us to post the link of that talk here.

Click on this link to view the video:  The Ferries of Indian Arm video

Ross Regan’s Cabin building 

Deep Cove Heritage member Ross Regan built his cabin on Mount Seymour in 1948. You can hear Ross’ commentary and watch it being built with this wonderful series of photos.

Click here to watch Ross Regan’s Cabin constructed

Click on photo at left to enlarge. DCHS #4793 – Building Gods Lil Acre, Mount Seymour Ski Cabin, 1948. Photo courtesy Ross Regan.

We have over 1400 heritage photos online for viewing

Clicking the camera graphic at left will take you to explore Random Images – you can easily do searches by clicking the tabs under the Deep Cove Heritage banner. More photos will be online soon!

Volunteers are still needed!

Call for Action to Members and the Community:

Deep Cove Heritage Society needs your help and support in preserving our rich history of Deep Cove and the surrounding area of Seymour.

The DCHS was established first and foremost for the public, be it general interest or research purposes. It was established in 1985 by a dedicated group of volunteers, many of whom are still with us today. The Heritage would not be able to survive without it’s volunteers.

We are calling on the next generation to volunteer their time in order to keep the Heritage going.

It is a great way to connect to the community and learn about our local history.

There are many volunteer opportunities at hand. Call us at 604-929-5744, or drop by our office at 4360 Gallant Avenue (inside the Deep Cove Cultural Centre.)

Latest Newsletter –

Click on image to read entire newsletter.

Our newsletters are online – to view our entire collection of newsletters click on RESOURCES tab top right of this screen; and choose NEWSLETTERS from the drop down list. On the Newsletters page, click on the blue text under each heading to open the pdf document which can be read on screen or downloaded and printed.

We have the full index for our first book, Echoes Across the Inlet, published in 1989 online. It is a pdf file that can be read online or downloaded, printed and tucked into your copy of the book.  Click on the BOOKS tab at the top of this screen and choose BOOK INDEX from the dropdown list.

We have several books, including our own Echoes Across Seymour and Echoes Across the Inlet for sale in the office. As well we have our neighbour Ralph Drew’s books, Forest & Fjord: The History of Belcarra and Ferries & Fjord: The History of Indian Arm. And we have Deep Cove Heritage tote bags that are roomy and sturdy enough to carry all your books home.

The Deep Cove Heritage Society office is located in the Deep Cove Cultural Centre.

4360 Gallant Avenue (at Panorama Drive) in North Vancouver, BC V7G 1L2

Echoes Across Seymour and Echoes Across the Inlet book information – click on “Books” at top of this page.