LIONS BAY
Celebrating 35 years of Incorporation
1971 - 2006
LIONS BAY has a relatively short ‘incorporated’ history but we are part of a rich regional history which can be traced back to the late 1700s. Captain Vancouver named Howe Sound in June of 1792 after Lord Howe who was the Admiral of the British Navy. Later in 1859, to celebrate the victory in the battle ‘The Glorious First of June’ (1794), Captain Richards of ‘HMS Plumper’ named the majority of the islands including Bowen, Gambier, Bowyer, Hutt and Keats.
Some of the first people who traveled in our area were the First Nations peoples. The Sea-to-Sky corridor became known as the Pemberton Trail in the 1800s and ranchers tried to bring cattle through here but were largely unsuccessful.
In the early 1900’s the Japanese first started logging in the area and more people came to our shores. Brunswick Beach was first surveyed in 1908. At that time you could purchase property for $1 down and $1 per week for a total price of $100 - $250. During that early time people came from the Vancouver area on ships which traveled to Squamish and in small private boats. The first residents came to Brunswick Beach around 1911 and generally spent the summers there, and left when the fall came.
The present site of the Lions Bay Beach Park was originally used as a summer camp for St. Mark’s Church of Kitsilano. They originally bought 100 acres and sold it in 1941. The opening of the PGE Railway in 1954 and the Squamish Highway in 1958 changed life dramatically for the Lions Bay area. This meant that people could drive from Vancouver and not have to rely on boats to transport their families and supplies. Electricity and telephone service were established in the late 1950s. Families started to settle more permanently in Lions Bay with transportation and basic services in place. The Volunteer Fire Department was well-established by 1970 and during the daytime, calls were covered mainly by the enthusiastic and dedicated women of the village. On January 2, 1971 the Village of Lions Bay was officially proclaimed an incorporated municipality. Curly Stewart was the first mayor and he served the residents faithfully from 1971 to 1982. The General Store opened in 1971 and in 1972 the post boxes were installed, meaning that residents no longer had to travel to Horseshoe Bay to pick up their mail. The Community Hall was opened in 1972 followed by the opening of the primary school (K-3) in 1977.
As part of the celebrations of 25 years of incorporation, the Lions Bay Historical Society sponsored a Flag Design Contest. Residents were asked to submit their designs for a municipal flag. Victor Miles was the winner of the contest and as you can see the flag symbolizes the essence of Lions Bay – the two lions which represents the mountain peaks above our village, the seagull which is our village symbol and also the name of our community newspaper and of course, water.
As the result of a restructure study and referendum, Brunswick Beach became amalgamated with Lions Bay in the fall of 1999. As part of the 30 year celebrations the Lions Bay Historical Society published a booklet documenting the history of Lions Bay. Lions Bay is now celebrating its 35th anniversary and there will be many celebrations and projects completed in the community.
Today, Lions Bay has 530 homes with approximately 1500 residents. Our commercial sector consists of the Lions Bay General Store & Café, an Artist’s studio, the Post Office and the Lions Bay Marina. There are many home-based businesses and Lions Bay is home to numerous literary, visual and musical artists, undoubtedly inspired by the natural beauty of their surroundings. Community spirit abounds which is evident in the many community-based projects and events which take place.
