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Revision as of 05:53, 9 April 2019 by 24.68.2.110 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) City in British Columbia, Canada| Duncan | |
|---|---|
| City | |
| The Corporation of the City of Duncan | |
 City Hall | |
| Motto: City of Totems | |
 Location of Duncan in British Columbia | |
| Coordinates: 48°46′43″N 123°42′28″W / 48.77861°N 123.70778°W / 48.77861; -123.70778 | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Region | Vancouver Island |
| Regional district | Cowichan Valley |
| Incorporated | 1912 |
| Government | |
| • Governing body | Duncan City Council |
| • Mayor | Michelle Staples |
| Area | |
| • City | 2.07 km (0.80 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 373.71 km (144.29 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 20 m (70 ft) |
| Population | |
| • City | 4,944 |
| • Density | 2,387.1/km (6,183/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 44,451 |
| • Urban density | 118.9/km (308/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| Forward sortation area | V9L |
| Area code | 250 & 778 |
| Highways |  Highway 1 (TCH) |
| Waterways | Cowichan River |
| Website | City of Duncan |
Duncan (pop. 4,944) is a city on southern Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It is the smallest city by area (2.07 square kilometres, 0.8 square miles) in the nation.
Location
The city is about 50 kilometres from both Victoria to the south and Nanaimo to the north.
Although the City of Duncan has a population of just under 5000, it serves the Cowichan Valley which has a population of approximately 80,000, many of whom live in North Cowichan contiguous with Duncan. This gives Duncan a much larger "greater" population than that contained within the city limits. People in areas of North Cowichan bordering on Duncan usually use "Duncan" as their mailing city.
Duncan is the seat of the Cowichan Valley Regional District. The name Cowichan is an anglicization of Halkomelem Quw̓utsun̓, which means "the warm land".
Transportation
The city is served by Trans-Canada Highway which connects the city to points north/south. Highway 1 through Duncan is a four-lane street with two signalized intersections (within the city limits) and a speed limit of 50km/hr. British Columbia Highway 18 connects Duncan (via North Cowichan) to the town of Lake Cowichan to the east.
The railway continues to cross Duncan, though passenger and freight rail service on the south island corridor were both discontinued indefinitely in 2011 for safety reasons relating to long-deferred track maintenance.
Public transit is provided in conjunction between BC Transit and the Cowichan Valley Regional Transit System.
History
The community is named after William Chalmers Duncan (born 1836 in Sarnia, Ontario). He arrived in Victoria in May 1862, then in August of that year he was one of the party of a hundred settlers which Governor Douglas took to Cowichan Bay. After going off on several gold rushes, Duncan settled close to the present city of Duncan. He married in 1876, and his son Kenneth became the first mayor of Duncan. There is a Kenneth Street, as well as a Duncan Street, in the city.
Duncan's farm was named Alderlea, and this was the first name of the adjacent settlement. In August 1886, the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway was opened. No stop had been scheduled at Alderlea for the inaugural train bearing Sir John A. Macdonald and Robert Dunsmuir. However, at Duncan's Crossing, the level crossing nearest Alderlea, a crowd of 2,000 had assembled around a decorated arch and the train came to an unplanned halt, quite literally putting it on the map.
In the early 1900s, Duncan's Chinatown was the social centre for the Cowichan Valley's Chinese population. Chinatown was concentrated in a single block in the southwestern corner of Duncan. At its largest point, Duncan's Chinatown included six Chinese families and 30 merchants who supplied goods and services to the loggers, millworkers, cannery and mine workers in the area. The city tore the buildings down in 1969 to build a new law courts complex. Some materials from the original buildings were used at Whippletree Junction.
In the 1980s, the city was noted in coverage related to the 1985 bombings at Narita Airport in Japan and aboard Air India Flight 182, Canada's largest murder case. Resident Inderjit Singh Reyat purchased bomb parts and a radio at Duncan stores, and used the radio to conceal the bomb. Less than two weeks prior to the bombings, Reyat and suspected Air India mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar were observed testing explosives in the woods outside of Duncan by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).
Tourist attractions
Duncan's tourism slogan is "The City of Totems". The city has 80 totem poles around the entire town, which were erected in the late 1980s. In 2007, the city of Duncan deemed copyright privileges of the totem poles in the city. The use of the totems' images for commercial purposes requires the City of Duncan's approval.
Duncan has a large First Nations community and is the traditional home of the Cowichan Tribes, who are the largest band among the Coast Salish people. The Coast Salish men and women of the Cowichan Tribes are makers of the world-famous Cowichan Sweaters.
Duncan is home to the BC Forest Discovery Centre. Before the Canada–United States softwood lumber dispute, Duncan and the whole Cowichan Valley were a thriving lumber centre in British Columbia.
Duncan has the world's largest ice hockey stick, officially recognised by Guinness World Records on July 14, 2008, which is on display on the side of the local arena – formerly known as the Cowichan Community Centre. The centre is now called The Island Savings Centre (in 2008 Island Savings entered into a 10 year/one million dollar naming rights agreement with the CVRD). The stick was made specifically for Expo 86 in Vancouver, and purchased by Duncan at the end of the event.
In 1911, Norman Corfield drove the first car over the Malahat Highway, opening up vehicle traffic to Duncan. Construction of the Duncan Garage Heritage Building started in 1912 and appeared in Canadian Motorist Magazine (May 1913 issue) as "The most complete and up-to-date fireproof garage on Vancouver Island." The Duncan Garage set a provincial record for the longest operating business in one location(65 years). It was designated a heritage building in 2002.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification, Duncan has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb).
| Climate data for Duncan Forestry; 6 m (20 ft) asl (1971–2000 normals) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 15.0 (59.0) |
19.4 (66.9) |
21.1 (70.0) |
25.6 (78.1) |
33.5 (92.3) |
36.0 (96.8) |
38.2 (100.8) |
37.5 (99.5) |
34.5 (94.1) |
28.4 (83.1) |
18.9 (66.0) |
17.0 (62.6) |
38.2 (100.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6.1 (43.0) |
8.0 (46.4) |
10.6 (51.1) |
13.9 (57.0) |
17.4 (63.3) |
20.3 (68.5) |
23.3 (73.9) |
23.6 (74.5) |
20.3 (68.5) |
14.8 (58.6) |
8.8 (47.8) |
6.3 (43.3) |
14.5 (58.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 2.6 (36.7) |
4.1 (39.4) |
5.9 (42.6) |
8.5 (47.3) |
11.9 (53.4) |
14.7 (58.5) |
17.0 (62.6) |
17.1 (62.8) |
13.8 (56.8) |
9.3 (48.7) |
5.0 (41.0) |
2.9 (37.2) |
9.4 (48.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −1.1 (30.0) |
0.1 (32.2) |
1.2 (34.2) |
3.0 (37.4) |
6.2 (43.2) |
9.1 (48.4) |
10.7 (51.3) |
10.5 (50.9) |
7.2 (45.0) |
3.8 (38.8) |
1.2 (34.2) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
4.3 (39.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −21.1 (−6.0) |
−15.5 (4.1) |
−12.0 (10.4) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
1.7 (35.1) |
3.3 (37.9) |
2.2 (36.0) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−17.0 (1.4) |
−21.7 (−7.1) |
−21.7 (−7.1) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 145.3 (5.72) |
130.1 (5.12) |
101.7 (4.00) |
54.0 (2.13) |
44.4 (1.75) |
37.3 (1.47) |
20.3 (0.80) |
25.3 (1.00) |
46.7 (1.84) |
80.0 (3.15) |
168.8 (6.65) |
185.5 (7.30) |
1,039.2 (40.91) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 129.5 (5.10) |
122.2 (4.81) |
99.7 (3.93) |
53.9 (2.12) |
44.4 (1.75) |
37.3 (1.47) |
20.3 (0.80) |
25.3 (1.00) |
46.7 (1.84) |
79.5 (3.13) |
163.3 (6.43) |
171.1 (6.74) |
993.1 (39.10) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 15.8 (6.2) |
7.9 (3.1) |
2.0 (0.8) |
0.2 (0.1) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.4 (0.2) |
5.4 (2.1) |
14.4 (5.7) |
46.1 (18.1) |
| Source: Environment Canada | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Duncan Kelvin Creek; 103 m (338 ft) asl (1971–2000 normals) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 16.5 (61.7) |
18.5 (65.3) |
23.5 (74.3) |
28.5 (83.3) |
32.0 (89.6) |
34.0 (93.2) |
36.0 (96.8) |
34.5 (94.1) |
35.0 (95.0) |
27.0 (80.6) |
18.0 (64.4) |
17.5 (63.5) |
36.0 (96.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6.8 (44.2) |
8.7 (47.7) |
11.2 (52.2) |
14.8 (58.6) |
18.4 (65.1) |
21.3 (70.3) |
24.7 (76.5) |
24.6 (76.3) |
22.1 (71.8) |
15.1 (59.2) |
9.5 (49.1) |
6.2 (43.2) |
15.3 (59.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 3.6 (38.5) |
4.4 (39.9) |
6.3 (43.3) |
9.1 (48.4) |
12.4 (54.3) |
15.3 (59.5) |
17.9 (64.2) |
17.8 (64.0) |
15.2 (59.4) |
10.1 (50.2) |
5.8 (42.4) |
3.3 (37.9) |
10.1 (50.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 0.3 (32.5) |
-0.0 (32.0) |
1.4 (34.5) |
3.4 (38.1) |
6.3 (43.3) |
9.1 (48.4) |
11.1 (52.0) |
11.0 (51.8) |
8.1 (46.6) |
5.1 (41.2) |
2.1 (35.8) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
4.8 (40.6) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −21.1 (−6.0) |
−15.5 (4.1) |
−12.0 (10.4) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
1.7 (35.1) |
3.3 (37.9) |
2.2 (36.0) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−17.0 (1.4) |
−21.7 (−7.1) |
−21.7 (−7.1) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 248.3 (9.78) |
139.1 (5.48) |
135.4 (5.33) |
82.6 (3.25) |
49.1 (1.93) |
36.7 (1.44) |
22.3 (0.88) |
33.2 (1.31) |
31.6 (1.24) |
119.4 (4.70) |
227.9 (8.97) |
235.6 (9.28) |
1,361.2 (53.59) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 225.2 (8.87) |
125.9 (4.96) |
125.9 (4.96) |
82.6 (3.25) |
49.1 (1.93) |
36.7 (1.44) |
22.3 (0.88) |
33.2 (1.31) |
31.6 (1.24) |
119.1 (4.69) |
219.7 (8.65) |
218.0 (8.58) |
1,289.2 (50.76) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 23.0 (9.1) |
13.2 (5.2) |
9.6 (3.8) |
0.1 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.4 (0.2) |
8.3 (3.3) |
17.6 (6.9) |
72.0 (28.3) |
| Source: Environment Canada | |||||||||||||
Education
Vancouver Island University (formerly Malaspina University-College) has a regional campus in Duncan that offers a Bachelor of Education degree as well as programs and courses in university transfer, access, trades and applied technology, health and human services, and career and academic preparation. The campus also has a Continuing Education department that offers certificate programs, personal and professional development courses, and online courses. The current 55,000-square-foot (5,100 m) campus opened for classes in June 2011.
Duncan is part of British Columbia's School District 79 Cowichan Valley. Duncan has one public secondary school, Cowichan Secondary School (with Cowichan and Quamichan campuses), as well as several elementary and middle schools. The head offices of School District 79 Cowichan Valley are located in Duncan. Duncan also has several independent schools. Queen Margaret's School, established in 1921, is a private secondary university preparatory school for girls which includes a co-ed junior school. There are also two denominational independent schools:Queen of Angels (Catholic school) serving preschool to Grade 9 students and Duncan Christian School whose campus is home to both an independent elementary and high school. Sunrise Waldorf School is a non-denominational K-8 independent school offering Waldorf education in the Cowichan Valley.
Sports
Duncan is the home city of the British Columbia Hockey League's Cowichan Valley Capitals, who play in the Island Savings Centre. Duncan is home to a number of other sports and athletics organizations including the Cowichan Valley Athletic Club's (CVAC) Jaguars one of the many clubs and teams that practice & compete out of the extensive Cowichan Sportsplex.
Notable residents
See also Category:People from Duncan, British Columbia
- Greg Adams, former NHL player
- Robin Bawa, former NHL player
- Michael Bigg, marine biologist
- Doug Bodger, former NHL player
- Geoff Courtnall, former NHL player
- Russ Courtnall, former NHL player
- Mac DeMarco, solo musician and songwriter
- Matt Ellison, former NHL player
- Kevin Hamilton, Diplomat / Ambassador
- Charles Ferguson Hoey, Victoria Cross recipient
- Mike Sweeney, former soccer player (played for Canada at the 1986 World Cup)
- David H. Turpin, current president of the University of Alberta
- Al Wilson, former CFL player
Gallery
-
Silver Bridge
-
The Train Station
-
The Phoenix Motor Inn
-
Duncan Garage
-
Totem Pole
-
Fire Hall
See also
References
- ^ "Duncan". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- "Duncan". BC Geographical Names.
- From Camp to Community - Where They Came From - China Archived 2007-09-02 at the Wayback Machine
- Sikh probe took wrong turn after Duncan blast: former CSIS agent, CBC News, May 24, 2007
- The Globe and Mail
- World's Largest Hockey Stick & Puck, Duncan, British Columbia
- World's Largest Hockey Stick & Puck, Tourism Vancouver, Retrieved July 3, 2007
- Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000 Duncan Forestry, accessed 20 November 2018
- Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data Duncan Kelvin Creek, accessed 26 April 2018
External links
| Places adjacent to Duncan, British Columbia | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Duncan
48°46′43.3″N 123°42′28.3″W / 48.778694°N 123.707861°W / 48.778694; -123.707861
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