Duncan

The City of Totems

Located almost exactly halfway between Victoria and Nanaimo, Duncan is renowned as the “City of Totems.” Despite holding the title of Canada’s smallest city (by area), over 40 stunning totem poles are packed into downtown Duncan – providing everyday reminders of the history and culture of the First Nations peoples who have inhabited the region for millennia, and of the Cowichan Valley’s bountiful timber.

Surrounded by forests, lakes, farmland, and bisected by the Cowichan River, Duncan’s spectacular geography and natural resource endowment is always in evidence. It’s easy to see why Duncan is a Forestry Friendly community.

A historic Centre of Forestry

Duncan’s population experienced strong growth in the 1880s, following the completion of the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway. It didn’t take long for forestry to establish itself as a key local industry. In 1887, it was between two Cowichan Valley communities that BC’s first-ever shipment of logs took place: logs were transported from Mount Prevost (adjacent to Duncan) to the coastal Cowichan community of Chemainus, the site of a significant mill that had already been operating for a quarter-century.

Reflecting its status as the central node of a historic forestry region, Duncan is home to the BC Forest Discovery Centre, which chronicles the vibrant history of forestry in the Cowichan Valley – including the prolific network of logging railroads that crisscrossed the valley’s terrain before the advent of trucking. The BC Forest Discovery Centre is a must-visit for all British Columbians with an interest in the unique history of our coastal region.

Home to a Diverse Forestry Trade

Alongside other First Nations in BC’s coastal region, the Cowichan Tribes are harnessing the power of forestry to create jobs and improve lives. Khowutzun Forest Services (KFS) generates local employment in the forestry sector, along with wealth for the community.  KFS performs a host of services for the Cowichan Valley’s many logging operations including silviculture, forest management and planning, harvesting, and fire-fighting. The Cowichan Tribes’ expertise in forestry shouldn’t come as a surprise: after all, its members have been harvesting forest resources for generations to build the necessities of life.

Duncan is also home to value-added forestry businesses: Wescon Doors, also known as Wescon Cedar Products, was born in 1985 as a humble 2-person operation. Today, it is one of Western Canada’s largest door manufacturers – with a 50,000 sq. ft. production facility exporting across Canada, the United States, and Asia.

Combining Duncan’s status as a regional hub with the Cowichan Valley’s strengths in both logging and value-added forestry operations, forestry is well-positioned to maintain its place in Duncan’s resilient, diverse economy – just as it has for over 125 years.