In the year 1791, Juan Carrasco, and his fleet became the first Europeans to ever set foot in the Nanaimo Bay. This particular group named the area Bocas de Winthuysen. Later on during 1804, a group from the Hudson's Bay Company was informed by a native chief Ki-et-sa-kun of the Snuneymuxw that there was coal in the area. Hence in 1853, the company constructed a fort, making use of the name, Nanaimo Bastion. In 1869, one of its employees by the name of Robert Dunsmuir constructed coal mines within the Nanaimo harbour and discovered coal several miles North of Nanaimo at Wellington. He later established the business Dunsmuir and Diggle Ltd, and expanded his operations to comprise steam railways.
Nanaimo has recently experienced a cultural change in the past years. Recent events have paved the way for numerous art lovers and artists to explore what Nanaimo could offer them...