A tiny dot on the map is turning 100 and I want to be there. The dot is "Telegraph Cove", a small, secluded curve of land on the north-east of Vancouver Island. My great grandfather aquired the land in 1909 or thereabouts, which my great grandmother thought exceedingly poor judgement. But I, for one, am happy that he was so notoriously bad with money.
In 1912, the federal goverment was moving with the times and building a telegraph line up the island, and needed a sheltered spot reasonably close to population clusters. At that time, Alert Bay housed about 200 people, including my great grandparents and their son, my grandfather. My great-grandfather suggested his tiny cove, and a lineman's shack was built with a lineman sent up to live in it. Telegraph Cove was born, population 1.
It's been 100 years since that decision. 100 years of boom and bust and boom again. Although I was never a true resident, having spent only summer holidays there, I want to be there to represent four generations of Wastells, the family that started the whole thing. So, I booked myself out of the office from June 19 until June 24 to make a journey to the past.
Fascinating read.
ReplyDeleteYou have touched upon lots of little bits of my memories of the Cove. Thanks.
Bob Sharpe